U14
Matches
Sun 16 Sep 2018
Mansfield
12
24
Keyworth Rugby Football Club
U14
Tries: M Thompson, A Winfield, G Stephen, P HarewoodConversions: G Royle (2)
What difference a day makes!

What difference a day makes!

Simon Winfield16 Sep 2018 - 18:45
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Big positives from the Training Match v Mansfield RFC

Keyworth went to Mansfield for the first match of the season. We had a squad of 16 boys and Mansfield had 26 so we decided to play 3 x 20 minute matches to help with the development of the new rules and 15 a side format. We could see Mansfield have progressed significantly from previous seasons and with our limited numbers would present a stern test, especially with their big forwards.
TK was made captain and Danny vice captain following their commitment and effort showed in training. We welcomed back curly George from his season off at Fly Half to partner up with George S allowing Danny and Matt to play at Centre with James W and Dom on the wings and Alec at Full Back. The pack started with Dillon, Archer and Ethan, Tom and James P at 2nd row with Josh, Owen and Pharrell as the back 3. Oweyn started on the bench - soon to be joined by the late arrival of Toby - we were up to 17!
The match started at a great pace and fantastic tackles flew in from both sides. With the size of their pack we had to stick with our fast ball brand of rugby and George was there like a shot - we didn't over commit and were starting to move the ball around and find space. A great tackle stopped James W getting away but he landed funny and had to be replaced by Oweyn. TK was playing with great passion and endeavour but never quite managing to break clear because Mansfield were strong defensively. We followed Tom and were able to retain the ball allowing us to continue to go forward. Great team play allowed Matt to break clear and power over for the first try in the far corner which George failed to convert in difficult conditions.
Mansfield immediately hit back using their power to draw the scores level after we had been penalised for a knock on from a quickly taken penalty. End of the first 1/3 and the scores were 5-5.
In the 2nd 3rd we were getting our hands on there ball much more often and continued to keep spreading it out. Oweyn M made a good break but Mansfield defended very well. We broke the deadlock when we used the overlapping full back to power home for another great team score. George converted and we were 12-5 ahead and starting to play some good rugby. Phases of continued pressure allowed George S to snipe a typical cheeky try in the corner. We missed the conversion but ended the period 17-5 ahead.
The final period started to take it's toll on a few of the players who played yesterday and were carrying knocks so we added 3 Mansfield players to our ranks and Pharrell, who was back to his best went over for another score, which George converted for a 24-5 lead. The game was played in great spirit throughout, officiated excellently by Pete. The last play of the day saw the days best and most impressive try from Mansfield. Defending their own 22 their player broke 2 tackles and powered the length of the pitch to score.
Final Score - Mansfield 12 - Keyworth 24 - Coaches MOM - Matt T

Match details

Match date

Sun 16 Sep 2018

Kickoff

10:30

Attendance

34
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