Stags Under 14’s vs & L Under 14’s 22.01.2012
Stags U14s, sponsored by Urban & Civic, took on Stewart & Lloyds seeking revenge for a beating earlier the season, but were on the back foot from the kick off. The aggressive S & L forwards were winning the early contests at the breakdown and as a result Stags were required to defend on the back foot. After a number of phases the S&L centre broke a desperate Stags defence for the first score 0-5. This spurred Stags into action and from the kick off they tore into the S&L pack, scrum half Ben Wilcox whipping the ball out to backs, slick hands putting speed merchant Cheeta Bragg away for a try from the 10 metre line 5-5. From the kick off prop Ben Carter set up good ball, despite taking a heavy knock. Again this was moved wide quickly and Bragg was away for his second score 10-5. This should have set the tone for the game but S&L had other ideas coming straight back putting Stags under pressure, moving the ball through several phases before scoring an excellent try out wide, which was converted 10-12. S&L then scored another converted try though their centre 10-19. Half time.
In previous matches this could have led to capitulation from a vulnerable Stags Team, but not on this occasion. Stags came back with a vengeance moving the ball left and right before tough tackling centre Owen Taylor reached out for Stags third try 15-19. Stags were now on the front foot and gained good field position 20 yards from the S&L line. No 8 Sam Eastcott picked from the scrum and went blind making good ground, player of the day Ben Wilcox took a lovely pass on the outside, stepped inside S&L cover tacklers for the score 20-19. S&L were straight back into the Stags half and a couple of weak tackles in midfield allowed their centre to score yet again 20-24. Stags then scored the try of the day, Wilcox moved the ball to the blindside from a ruck, winger Jordan Parish made good ground the back row of Oram, Hegan and Eastcott recycled quickly and the ball was moved wide to Bragg, he gave an inside pass to Taylor who made good yards, quick ball was again released to winger Archie Maggs who danced down his wing from the half way beating four players to score under the posts 25-24 (Con Toby Doonan 27-24.) Stags had four minutes to hold on for a well deserved win, but S&L had different ideas. Turning over Stags lineout ball they won a scrum on the 22. From a set move they passed the ball out to their player of the day (Centre) who had moved into the outside channel, he ploughed through Stags despairing defence for his fourth try of the day which was converted for a 27-31 win.
This was a terrific game of Rugby between two evenly matched sides playing their hearts out. Although S&L won Stags players can be very proud of their performance.
