SWF U15 v Maldon U15

On Sunday 22nd November 2015 the SWF U15 welcomed the Maldon U15 team to Saltcoats for an important league match. Maldon were known to be a good team and the SWF U15 team recognised that this match could have a big impact on their final league position at the end of the season.

The weather was bright, but very cold. Maldon U15 kicked off the match and it became clear very quickly that the Maldon U15 team had a powerful back row. During the early stages of play both teams had strong scrums on their own put in. Maldon U15 were able to deal with the quick forwards such as George Murtha, Ryan Galvin and Ethan Burrell. The Maldon U15 backs also made some dangerous runs showing that they were a capable team.

After 9 minutes of play the Maldon U15 backs worked the ball through the hands and their winger scored in the corner to put the first points of the match on the score board. This try was not converted. SWF U15 hit back and runs from Martin Bowers and Nathan Markham, playing at inside centre and outside centre respectively, showed at times that SWF U15 could be dangerous.

The next ten minutes of the game saw both teams playing very well. Maldon U15 preferred to pass the ball to their backs whilst the SWF U15 team preferred to ruck the ball. Players such as Owen Pamphilon and Joe August made decisive tackles in this period of play. Maldon U15 were placed under pressure and when handling errors were forced Ben Plank, Nathan Markham and Lewis Anderson were all able to capitalise by collecting the ball and making ground.

SWF U15 were placed under pressure 20 minutes in to the game. After winning a line out from a Maldon put in only 5m away from the SWF U15 try line Ben Plank at fly half was able to kick the ball in to touch. Maldon came straight back and after a SWF U15 knock on Maldon U15 were awarded a scrum 5m from the SWF U15 try line. Maldon won the scrum and their number 8 picked the ball up at the base of scrum and was driven over the line to score the second try of the match. This try was converted.

SWF U15 were quick to react the the second try and took the kick off quickly. After a flurry of play the SWF U15 forwards had driven in to the left hand corner of the Maldon U15 half and were only metres from the try line. Maldon were able to repel this attack as the game reached half time.

A determined SWF U15 team started the second half and after 3 minutes Arda Gyunesh finally broke through the Maldon U15 line to score a try. Ben Plank was unable to convert this try. This try inspired both teams to step up a gear and the determined efforts of both teams cancelled each other out. Alieu Badgie, playing at full back, was at times able to break through the Maldon U15 and he was supported well by Dan Crees and Lewis Anderson.

After 52 minutes of play Aaron Taylor was given a yellow card and from the penalty awarded to Maldon U15 they were able to run the ball 20 metres and score a try that was not converted. A series of substitutions for the SWF U15 meant that a reorganised pack of forwards were playing a full 8 players, but the backs were now one player short. Jimmy Anderson came on to the pitch as full back to add some extra pace with his fresh legs. Despite being down to 14 men the SWF U15 intensified their play and the strong SWF U15 pack with George Phelps-Knights and Joshua Maxfield now on the pitch put pressure on the Maldon U15 side forcing a penalty. Nathan Whittle took the penalty quickly passing the ball to Arda Gyunesh who ran a crash ball 10 metres to the Maldon U15 try line. This try was not converted.

As the clock ticked down Maldon U15 kept up the pressure. As a result of scrappy play from the SWF U15 Maldon were awarded a penalty and kicked the ball. During the chase the Maldon U15 player outpaced the SWF U15 backs and grounded the ball to score a try in the dying moments of the game. This try to not converted.

At full time the score was SWF U15 10 and Maldon U15 22.

Although the SWF U15 team were beaten their style of play and strong performance showed that they were able to complete with one of the toughest teams in their league.