O.Y.R.F.C. 10 Redditch R.F.C. 14
There were a few new faces for the U16s first game of the new season. Two of last year's players had been tempted away by promises of fame and fortune and one player (Darren) has returned for a second spell at the club. The team took to the field with the traditional roar of "O.Y.R.F.C" (definitely louder than last season - and deeper.) The brand new kit looked most impressive, but Dan's cunning plan to fool the opposition by wearing 14 whilst playing at 6 smacked of early season desperation.
The opening exchanges promised a closely fought game with two evenly matched teams. The packs looked of similar strength in the set pieces although the ferocious tackling of the Old Yardleians flankers (Dan and Rob) was a feature throughout the game. Early pressure from Redditch prompted some fine defensive work from Old Yardleians - Chris, Andy W. and Darren in particular all getting in crucial tackles to keep Redditch at bay.
The first line out was eagerly anticipated so that we could get our first sight of the forwards' new line out lifting skills. Unfortunately Redditch had not been practicing lifting and so it was agreed not to allow it for this game. Shame!
Redditch were first to score a try - under the posts and converted. Old Yardleians pressed from the restart and Rob appeared to go over following a tap penalty but the try was not given. No matter, for just a few minutes later Nick capped a fine first half performance playing at 8 with his first try for the club. Steff's conversion attempt from the left hand touchline hit the post but failed to go over.
Half time - O.Y.R.F.C 5 Redditch 7
Andrew replaced George on the left wing at the start of the second half and made an early break to run half the length of the pitch before he was tackled. More Old Yardleians pressure led to a fine break by Darren who was brought down just short of the line. All the pressure and hard work came to nothing however, as a swift counter attack by Redditch saw them score under the posts again with an easy conversion to follow.
Old Yardleians seemed to step up a gear in their efforts to get back into the game. Dan burst through and crossed the line but was prevented from grounding the ball by the Redditch defenders. A terrific tackle by Andrew (felt by most of us on the touch line!) thwarted a rare Redditch breakaway. More pressure from Old Yardleians resulted in a tap penalty just a few metres out. Joe threw the ball out right as the Old Yardleians pack rumbled forward but the referee wanted the penalty retaken. This time Joe went left to find Dan who took the ball at full speed to score in the corner. Perhaps he is a winger after all! Steff's conversion kick from the touch line was just short of the posts.
Old Yardleians were visibly tiring and slowing down towards the end. Perhaps the difference between the teams was that this was Old Yardleians' first game of the season but it was Redditch's second.
Full time - O.Y.R.F.C. 10 Redditch 14
Team: Steff, Chris, Darren, Jamie, George, Andy W, Joe, Will, James, Adam, Tom, Andy R, Dan, Rob, Nick. Replacements: Andrew (for George) Lee (not used)
Scorers: Tries - Nick and Dan
Have you seen the match day photos? Just click on the gallery option and look for "U16 match day photos"