U13s Narrowly Lose to Syston In Entertaining Encounter

Date: 28-02-2010
Venue: home
Opponents: Syston
Result: L 19-22

Stratford U13s played Syston, a Leicestershire team, in what turned out to be a very close match, keenly contested by both teams and entertaining for all of the spectators. Stratford kicked off and succeeded in immediately winning the ball. Syston were an unknown to Stratford, not having played them before, and they had several large and quick players. Taking Stratford by surprise Syston won the ball back and ran in two tries in rapid succession.

Stratford quickly seized up the opposition and responded robustly, applying pressure to Syston and pushing close to the try-line. Winning a scrum, several phases of play ended with Rory McMeekan powering through the defence to score. Conversions were kicked by James Connolly.

In the second half Syston again quickly scored. Stratford responded in kind and kept Syston pinned in their own 22 for long periods during which Syston had to defend frantically. Despite coming close; with Matthew Newman, Luke Hammond, Joesph Wheatley, Harry Cark and Barney Fidler all threatening to score, Syston’s defence just held. This was broken when Joe Miles got up a head of steam and thundered down the wing to score. Miles repeated his run minutes later to score again and put Stratford ahead for the first time. Close to the final whistle Syston broke through to score and seal the match, narrowly winning 22-19. Stratford had a lot of positives to take away from this match. The pack was superior in the scrums, rucks and line-outs, turning the ball over a number of times. The backs demonstrated good passing skills and linking play, quickly getting the ball out to the wing. Stratford play Syston again at the end of March and are looking forward to reversing the score.

Player of The Match was jointly awarded to Joe Miles and Rory McMeekan.