Hastings & Bexhill U15s v Cranbrook U15s

Cranbrook Under 15s were this week’s opposition for H & B in what felt like an important game after an underwhelming performance the week before. The team had worked hard on their physicality and defence lines mid-week and this fixture marks a short-run of friendlies before the resumption of the league in a few weeks time.

The windy conditions meant that it was an important toss to win, which H & B did correctly electing to receive the kick-off and play with the wind in the first half. The swirling wind proved difficult as the kick off was dropped by H & B to surrender an early scrum to Cranbrook. H & B were able to demonstrate their squad strength by fielding a new look scrum that managed to disrupt Cranbrook’s efforts to release the ball from the scrum. Flanker Monty Wheeler hacked the ball clear, chased his own kick and ran most of the pitch to score the first try of the day between the posts. The conversion was dispatched with aplomb by fly-half Will Roberts to initiate what was going to be a successful day for the home team.

The restart was handled well and excellent recycling by H & B led to them efficiently moving the ball up the field into the ‘red zone’ as centre Louis Turpin weaved between the ragged Cranbrook defence to set up what would be a relentless series of attacks. These were only disrupted by penalties conceded by the away team or fleeting moments of possession that was rapidly won back by H & B in the breakdown. A confidence and swagger was starting to return to H & B and it was notable that a simpler style of play allowed the forwards to create space for the 10-12 partnership of Roberts and Turpin. It was testimony to Cranbrook’s defence resilience that they didn’t capitulate. However, even when clearing the ball found full back Ben Coulson who was back to his hard-running, evasive best, running the ball back at speed only to be denied by an unfortunate knock-on.

Another clearance was collected by winger Jonah Cowell who made good ground, returning the ball back into the Cranbrook 22. Good recycling released forward Kai Townsend who ran to the Cranbrook try line taking what appeared to be half of the opposition with him. Only the mass of bodies under him prevented an almost inevitable try. The previous passage of play was immediately replayed once more, but with Townsend touching down for a well deserved try. Roberts once more converted.

Although the restart was dropped once more by H & B, the Cranbrook attack was quickly snuffed out and Coulson cleverly identified space behind the advancing Cranbrook attack to kick into and initiate yet another phase of continuous attacking phases. The ball fell loose and Wheeler was the quickest to respond picking the ball up to sun through a tiring Cranbrook defence to score once more between the posts, allowing Roberts to extend his 100% kick success rate.

One thing to note was the physicality in H & B’s play, faster line-speed and improved decision-making in the ruck. No-one embodied this more that the defensive wall established by centres Will Richardson and Turpin whose ruck clearances could be heard and almost felt from the side-lines!

The half-time whistle blew and H & B were able to deploy a wide range of substitutions. This introduced fresh legs, and there were no real signs of disruption to the team. H & B kicked-off and quickly put pressure on Cranbrook once more. Wheeler intercepted to score once more and complete a well-deserved hat-trick and secure his nomination as man of the match. Roberts converted once more and with the score now at 28-0, the result was in little doubt.

The resumption of play led to more possession in dangerous territory for H & B. Simple, but brutally efficient attacking moves from H & B eventually created the space for Turpin to score a well-deserved try after taking an excellent line in attack to barrel over and score which Roberts once more converted.

An excellent restart by H & B won possession back once more for the home team and a good kick by in-form scrum half Davies started yet one more series of attacks that was expertly completed by Toby Fielder in the corner. Unfortunately the kick was missed, but with the score 40-0 in favour of the home team represented an excellent performance thus far.

With time running out, Cranbrook managed to piece together an effective series of moves to move towards the H & B try-line. A rare error by H & B offered an attacking scrum for Cranbrook, however the dominance of the H & B’s scrum won the ball back. However, overconfidence and tiredness led to H & B making yet another error in defence and a series of very ambitious passes in their own 22 eventually surrendered possession back to Cranbrook who managed to score a consolation try as time ran out and a final score of 40-5.

Hastings & Bexhill RFC are always looking to recruit new players from 5 years old – adult, girls and boys of all abilities. Please see our website www.hastingsrugby.org or email minis.rugby@hastingsrugby.org for more information. Hastings & Bexhill RFC prides itself on a warm welcome to all. Come and have a free, no obligation try out.

Written by Philip Usher