Newbury U13B 17 - Reading U13 5

A bright, sunny and crisp Sunday morning provided the ideal backdrop for the Bs final game in their campaign for the BYL U13 Division 2 title against Reading. The Blues needed a win to secure the title, if Abbey slipped up in their final game against Maidenhead then a win for Reading meant they would win the title. A good sized crowd was there to cheer the boys on in their quest, joined in the latter stages by the As arriving for their game.

The start to the game was very tight with both sides largely cancelling each other out and forcing errors. So much so that virtually the whole of the first 10 minutes was spent between the two 10 metre lines. Reading were the quickest team in closing down the man with the ball we have played this season and they were able to stop the boys getting their usual attacking game going.

Eventually they were able to work their way up the pitch and into the Reading 22 where a series of rucks eventually saw the Blues awarded a penalty 10 metres out from the Reading try line. Quick thinking by scrum-half Euan Lindsey saw him take a quick tap and feed fly-half David West who broke through to score under the posts. The conversion was made.

Another period of tit-for-tat in the middle of the pitch this time saw Reading eventually drive the Blues back towards their own try-line. Reading then had a series of offensive rucks and scrums but the Blues defence held firm and saw them reach half time without conceding.

Half-Time 7-0

The start of the second half saw the Blues score from the first phase of play from the kick-off. A high, hanging kick-off from David was gathered beyond the 10 metre line by speeding centre Callum Hambrecht who sprinted on into the Reading 22. A quick ruck saw the Blues recycle the ball before the Reading defensive line could get itself organised, the ball was quickly fed down the Blues back line to winger Alex Sutton who sprinted round his opposite number to score in the corner. The conversion was missed.

Then it was Reading's turn to put the pressure on the Blues, a period which eventually saw them score, the conversion was missed.

Another period of tit-for-tat finished when the Reading backs broke through the Newbury line. For one moment it looked like the break would go all the way to the Blues try-line. However, a superb chase down and tackle by Callum saw him stop the break. The Blues forwards and backs then fought hard to keep out a series of rucks and scrums and a 5 metre penalty. Eventually the Blues were able to turn over the ball and break out to the half way line.

Keeping Reading out seemed to spur the Blues on and they pushed Reading back to their own try-line. A Reading 5 metre scrum was taken against the head by Blues hooker Rex Harryman, one of several he took during the match, the ball was fed down the the Blues back line to Callum who broke through to score in the corner. The conversion was missed.

This score gave the boys the confidence to see out the game in the Reading half.

The final whistle came, cue lots of celebrations from the boys and the watching crowd.

Final Score: Blues 17 - Reading 5

Blues hooker Rex Harryman was voted man of the match for some great work in the rucks and mauls and some great strikes against the head at key moments in the match.

All the boys who turned out for the Bs during their league campaign this season deserve a lot of congratulations for what they have achieved. All have developed as individual players but what has been most pleasing has been to see them come together as a team to achieve this great result. Well Done!!!