Stratford U11s Come Out On Top In Rematch
Date: 07-03-2010
Venue: home
Opponents: Ashby
Result: W5-0, W60-15, W30-15
Stratford U11s welcomed Ashby RFC to the home of the current Prima Tiger Cup champions at Pearcecroft today. The two sides last played one another in December 2008 at Welford Road, where only a toss of the coin could separate the sides so this was always going to be a keenly contested match.
The Lions were up first, represented by Bloomfield, Tuszynski, McDonald, Wheeler and Davis in the forwards and Jackson, Baker, Bloomfield, David, Rigby, Burrell and Lavender in the backs. Ashby had the better of the opening exchanges, keeping control at the scrum and line out, denying Stratford any effective possession and pinning them in their own half. Stratford gradually improved at the scrum and shaded the breakdown giving them more of a platform to play off. Together with very effective tackling from the centre combination of David & Bloomfield and some good box kicking from Jackson at scrum half, Stratford worked themselves into a better position. From a penalty, Rigby proved his effectiveness with ball in hand again using his power and pace to drive over from short range. Ashby were pressing hard leading up to the break, a ball ripped from a maul on Stratford’s line preventing a certain score allowed Stratford to clear their lines and hold out to lead 5 – 0 at half time.
With a slight breeze at their backs in the second half, Stratford pinned Ashby in their own half for long periods, just failing to convert several opportunities. Ashby mounted several attacks of their own, but were unable to break the Stratford line leaving Stratford to come out narrow winners 5 – 0.
The Tigers played next and were represented by Von Sydow, Dowsett, Kiff, Reeves, Parker, Bunn-Major, Barnett, Smith, Dalton, Mather, Phakkey, Mason, Edwards, Hazel, Hamer & Devonald. Showing they had learned from the experience at the frozen tundra at Stow, the Tigers started sharply and dominated the early exchanges. Reeves charged over from short range and was quickly followed Dalton. Ashby came back into the game but further tries from Reeves, Hazel and Edwards meant Stratford lead 25 – 10 at the break. The second half followed the pattern of the first, with the ever busy Dowsett winning plenty of ball for Stratford and Dalton making breaks and offloading at fly half, further tries were inevitable. Further scores from Phakkey (2), Dowsett (2), Reeves (2) and Dalton meant that Stratford ran out 60 – 15 winners.
In the final match a mix of the two squads was played. The first half was a tight contest with Ashby scoring first from close range. Good tackling from Stratford got them back into the game, a thunderous hit from Bloomfield resulted in the ball breaking free for David who was not going to be caught. 5 each at half time. Stratford got on top in the second half, with tries from Smith, Devonald, Von Sydow and Mason (2). Ashby scored two of their own in reply, leaving Stratford 30 – 15 winners.
A thoroughly enjoyable morning’s rugby for all, in what was undoubtedly our toughest fixture so far this season and sets us up well for upcoming festivals in March & April.
