2nd XV v Trent College Lost 24-0

The boys started off very strongly indeed. They ran hard with the ball and kept possession for most of the first 10-15 minutes. Despite the fact that Trent were considerably bigger we contested well in lineouts, rucks and scrums in the early stages and kept the ball alive. We had the best of the possession and territory in the first half but we failed to convert that into points. This would be critical.

Later in the first half Trent managed to send their scrum half over for a try as they had muscled their way down the pitch. At half time we were 5-0 down but with much to play for and a feeling that the match could be won.

In the second half there was some inspirational play but a major lapse for ten minutes saw Trent send some big lumpy forwards through our lines which enabled them to score two quick tries. After this heads dropped and the physical pressure began to take its toll. We missed Charlie Hetherington and, though Freddie Howard played as well as he could, the half backs did not find their rhythm. The score line does not show that for 85% of the game we played with great skill and determination but the 15% that was truly awful meant we let in tries and did not convert territory and possession into points.

There was so much effort but little to show for it. In order to beat teams like this we cannot have lapses in focus, we cannot miss tackles or kicks to touch and we cannot throw out shoddy passes at the back of the scrum. Our back line must push up in defence and our forwards must always look to surge forward over the ball in rucks.


Man of the Match – Kevin Hynes

RDM