Another win for the U14s

H&B u14s 29 v 10 Uckfield u14s

When one player scores five tries in a single match, it would be easy to allow that individual to get all the plaudits, but this result was all about the team and the spirit they showed from the outset.

On a bright, but blustery Sunday morning, things didn't start well for the lads from H&B. Remembrance Day Parades, injuries and allegedly the lure of Fifa 18, had severely depleted the squad,especially in the pack. As they warmed up for the match, H&B only numbered 12 players. That is where the club rallied together and the team was bolstered by the arrival of three U13s, who more than capably stepped into the bigger shoes of the older age group.

Uckfield with a complete squad, are a much improved and well organised outfit and would turn out to be much stiffer opposition than they were last season. With some big strong runners and a powerful and pacey No.8, they frequently tested the much improved H&B defence, throughout the course of the match.

In conditions where the wind could send the ball off at right angles, whilst in mid air, it was not a day for elaborate passes, kicking and was a nightmare for the hookers, at line out time. That said, both teams showed great endeavour, to move the ball and play entertaining and open rugby.

H&B struck first with Bailey Le-Beau running in two tries in quick succession. Both were the result of great interplay, between forwards and backs, moving the ball this way and that, constantly changing the point of attack.

A well worked move released the ever impressive Uckfield No.8 to gallop home to reduce the deficit to 10-5. Uckfield grew in confidence and launched numerous attacks towards the H&B, but great tackling from all the team, but personified by Ben Phelps, kept them at bay until half time.

Early in the second half, another H&B move released Le-Beau, who galloped around the defence, for his hat trick, to increase the lead to 15-5.

Uckfield again pressed hard, however determined defence kept them out. Uckfeld then lost two players to injury and H&B one, temporarily, to a yellow card. The deficit was again reduced when the H&B line was eventually breached, 15-10.

With the game in the balance, the H&B players rethought their game plan. They worked out that to get into a close forward battle with the much larger Uckfield pack, would be a fruitless affair. To move the ball quickly, with their greater pace out wide, with the likes of Le-Beau, Sam Satow, Boris Saull-Hunt and Daniel Hampton, would eventually, surely pay dividends.

The rethink, quick handling, especially from the base of the scrum and ruck, by their tenacious scrum half, Frank Coates, resulted in H&B getting the ball out wide, quickly. allowing them to move the Uckfield defence around the pitch. Inevitably, gaps in the Uckfield defence appeared, allowing Le-Beau to run in his final two tries. Two conversions from Luke Burdekin, sealed the win for the boys in blue and white.

The match was played in a great spirit and both teams came away with a great amount of credit. The U13s drafted in at the last minute were noticeable contributors to the result, running strongly, rucking ferociously and tackling impressively. The whole team, however, rallied to the cause, with many playing out of position without complaint (well, almost without complaint), but did so admirably, causing real selection headaches when the full squad is available.