Under 13s match reports

friendly

London Scottish U13s 58                    Grasshoppers 0

The last time these sides met in the 2005-06 season, Grasshoppers gained a narrow victory. The margin of this result shows how far the London Scottish team have developed since that game. The arrival of a number of new players has enhanced the squad considerably, and this week saw Jack Moss join the team and represent the club for the first time.

From the first whistle the Scottish team received the ball. It was clear from the first contact and watching the first decisions being made, that the Scottish team were in confident mood. They were to run in ten tries in the game and it was pleasing to see the real hunger for victory, the ability to sustain pressure throughout the match and the desire to ensure that Grasshoppers did not cross the Scottish line. The game also provided plenty of opportunity to ensure that every player got game time. Throughout the match plenty of substitutions were made and the whole squad made significant contributions to a fine win.

After 3 minutes of play the Scottish team started the sequence of scoring that was to continue all match. A Grasshoppers attack was abruptly stopped with a stunning tackle by Henry, who took on the biggest opposition player and flattened him. With possession gained, a period of Scottish pressure was eventually turned into points when Simon burst down the right flank to score in the corner. Simon is becoming an increasingly threatening and increasingly confident player and throughout the game made some good ground from second row. Four minutes later Baz scored the first of his five tries, this one under the posts which allowed Adam an easier conversion than the first attempt. Baz, having spent a year in Hull playing rugby league, has great pace, a dynamic running style and he enjoys the physical contact of rugby, including powerful hand-offs! His match haul of five tries was a just reward for the commitment with which he plays the game.

The occasional attack by Grasshoppers gave the Scottish team the opportunity to show their defensive qualities, and although their line was never really threatened, the real reason was some excellent pressure and some solid tackling. Tom R, on the wing, repeatedly showed his fearless side with some great head-on defence, Jake and Guy in the centres have an understanding that can snuff out many an attack and Keith and Janek in the forwards also show a ruthless streak in the tackle area. 

Ten minutes into the game, Baz again made a break and again broke through a number of tackles to score wide out on the left. Five minutes later Grasshoppers then had a scrum between their own ten metre line and their twenty two metre line. From the scrum they secured the ball but great pressure from Adam at scrum half and then Jake from centre, caused panic in the Grasshoppers backs and Declan following up from Number 8, secured the loose ball and then drove over the line with three defenders desperately hanging on. Adam again secured the conversion.

With half-time looming there was still time for a final try. Yet again Baz made a break and used his speed to score under the posts. Adam added the conversion and the sides turned round at 31 – 0.

The second half allowed the coaching staff the opportunity to try a few different combinations and a few positional experiments. The Scottish team were now playing uphill, so the expectation was that there would be fewer scoring chances. This was not to be the case and another five tries were added in the second half. The scoring sequence continued with Guy now playing at scrum-half. A scrum close to the opposition line gave him the opportunity to attack from close range. His first attempt was held up but in the following scrum, and with solid and quick possession secured Guy drove over for a classic scrum-half try. It should be noted that Tee-Jay, James and Daniel in the front-row all had fine matches. The work on the scrummage machine last week, certainly seemed to produce a far more solid scrum this week.

The next try was probably the most satisfying to watch. Scott, who had a rampaging game from second row, received a stolen ball from Munro. Scott took the ball three paces forward, committed the defender and then gave a perfect pass to Munro on the loop, who had the space and pace to score and take the lead to 41 – 0.

Baz then came back on and promptly scored his fourth try. Another dynamic run from a penalty move resulting in defenders backing off the tackle. It appeared that Grasshoppers players by this stage had had enough of attempting to stop the Scottish waves of attacks.

With six minutes of play left Baz added his final try and three minutes later Munro added his second. There are a number of Scottish players who can make good ground, Henry, Joe N, Jake, Guy and Tom R all run with purpose and even when they look as though they may get caught, often evade the first tackler. Munro also has this quality and he scored the final try of the game with a mazy run through the opposition. Support from Julian on the wing created enough doubt for the defenders and Munro used the dummy to drift in for the try.

With three minutes of the game remaining it was decided that a 58 – 0 score line was enough for the gallant visitors from Grasshoppers and the final whistle was blown following Jake’s conversion.

The first six games of the season have been most satisfying to watch. As one parent commented after the game, there are the makings of a really good side if this group of players can stick together and keep developing as individuals. The next game is the top of the league clash with Letchworth, which may well test out the real potential of the team.

Team: Daniel Neal; James Egan; Tee-Jay Farrell; Simon Davey; Scott Holloway; Tom McMichael; Will Conder; Baz Subhani; Declan McPate; Janek Mazur; Keith Reddy; Adam Ferguson (capt.); Munroe Third; Jake Birrell; Guy Luscombe; Tom Rocca; Jack Moss; Cameron Maclean; Henry Allan-Lowe; Joe Nellis; Julian Graham; Joe Garland;

Euan Ferguson

Herts/Middlesex League

Staines 5            London Scottish U13s 15

The second league game of the campaign was a visit to local rivals Staines. With the confidence of a home win from earlier in the season the boys were looking to do the ‘double’ away from home.

After two seasons when it has, at times, been a struggle to field a full team, recruitment has gone well and we welcomed another two new players, Keith Reddy and Janek Mazur to the club. Senzo Ndlovu returned for his first outing of the season and Lachlan Graham who has been with the club since birth (well nearly!) and who now lives in the South of France, was visiting, so donned the club shirt again ensuring that twenty one players were available for the match.

From the kick-off it was clear that both sides were really ready for the match. The first skirmishes were even with neither side managing to dominate territory or possession. However, after a few minutes Scottish began to get the better of the fifty-fifty situations. Jake caused two quick turnovers with some great tackling in the centre and the backs started to create some space in attack. Joe Nellis had two fine attacks from right wing and then Adam made ground with a quick tap penalty, passed to Baz who drove hard for the line. With  three defenders in tow, Baz just lost control of the ball whilst diving to score.

However, in the next play and 10 minutes into the game, Guy made a break from outside centre, found Lachlan in support, who in turn gave a beautifully weighted pass to Joe Nellis on the right. Joe made ground down the wing and from the ensuing ruck Baz again took the direct route to score near the posts.

The next ten minutes were then dominated by Scottish with all the rugby being played in the Staines half. Munroe at fly-half mixed up the attacks with a mix of runs, kicks and passing movements. The boys though could not get the crucial second score with Staines defending so well.

Four minutes from the half-time whistle and the play broke up again. Daniel made a stunning 30 metre break and it was clear to see that he gained a great deal of confidence from showing many of the Staines defenders how a prop can contribute in open play. Staines had a couple of attacks of their own but some sound defending from Tom Rocca and Henry kept them from threatening the Scottish line.

Half-time 5 – 0 to Scottish.

The second half saw a number of changes to ensure that every player got a run-out. Staines got off the better start and an early attack was foiled by Guy who cleared with an excellent kick. Staines tried to take a quick line-out but infringed at the line-out. Adam took a quick tap, Munroe gained ground and from the ruck ball the ball was quickly fed to Baz who scored his second try in the left corner.

To their credit the Staines players kept working hard and the did not let the score upset their approach to the game. Scottish, however, continued to be resilient in defence with new boys Keith and Janek immediately making their mark in the tackle area. In fact throughout the game the Scottish team were far superior defensively. The tackle of the match was made by Munroe who cut one of the Staines forwards in half, a painful reminder not to run laterally across a fast approaching defensive line.

Senzo then made three strong charges at the Staines defence and good field position was gained just inside the Staines half. With ten minutes to go the Staines attackers tried to make a break from their own ten metre line but Adam managed to steal an interception. He went blind, feinted to chip, which created enough of a gap to run the ball down the touch line, outflanking the defence and score the decisive try 15 metres in.

Staines again came back in attack and only a try-saving tackle from Guy out wide and stout defence by all the team, kept the attackers at bay. However with Staines camped on the Scottish try line, and after several phases of attack, the Staines scrum-half, stepped his way over the try line for a consolation try. 

With time up the Scottish team went for one more try in an attempt to secure the bonus point win. Were it not for the clashing shirt colours Daniel may well have avoided an accidental offside and made it over for a score. As it was the team can be happy with another league victory and with the very welcome arrival of some great new squad members.

Euan Ferguson

friendly

London Scottish U13s 22 Twickenham 5

The half-term break left the squad with only ten available players, so it was agreed with the Twickenham coaching staff to have a joint training session and then finish the session with a shortened friendly game.  

To balance the sides we borrowed two Twickenham players to form a twelve aside, twenty-minute game. Twickenham got off to a great start and for the first five minutes controlled possession and territory. However on the first London Scottish attack of the game, Munroe made his customary break from fly-half and then finished the move by out-flanking several defenders to score out wide. The first try was quickly followed by a second. Not long after the kick-off and having won a scrum, Adam picked up from scrum-half, made a blindside break, chipped into space, gathered his own kick and finished off under the posts. He followed this with a simple conversion. Twickenham then got back in the game with a score of their own. Their fly-half, James, jinked and twisted over for a try from close range and did well to resist the considerable pressure from the Scottish defenders. 

The second-half was again a fairly even affair but London Scottish made off with the points. Declan, in the unaccustomed position of full-back, had several strong runs and duly finished one off with a charge for the line. A second score after some good work by the forwards, who won quick ball 5 metres from the Twickenham line, saw Munroe commit the lone defender to put Henry in for his first try for the club.

A great morning of training rounded off with another confidence boosting performance from several key players. 

Team: Daniel Neal; James Egan; Tee-Jay Farrell; Simon Davey; Scott Holloway; Declan McPate; Adam Ferguson (capt); Munroe Third; Henry Allan-Lowe; Joe Nellis; Charlie & Billy (Twickenham).

Euan Ferguson

Herts/Middlesex League

Cheshunt 5 London Scottish U13s 29 

The first ever league game for the U13s was an away game against Cheshunt. On a beautiful morning in Hertfordshire, but with only fifteen fit players and playing on a pitch that looked to have been prepared to produce hay for local cattle, the team warmed up well and looked confident going up against unknown opponents. This confidence had resulted from the good work during the two friendly games against Staines (won 13-5) and London Welsh (lost 7-15).

At the toss the Cheshunt captain elected to play uphill and this decision seemed to backfire almost immediately. Declan decided to receive the kick and with possession the team moved the ball wide on the first move of the game. The forwards quickly began to dominate and won quick ruck after quick ruck, ensuring a good supply of possession for Adam and Munroe to use. Following a near miss, when Munroe fly-hacked on and only just lost the race to the touch-down, the ensuing 5 metre scrum gave more quick possession which was immediately moved wide. Guy took the ball at outside centre, from Jake, and beat a defender to touch down out wide for the first score with only three minutes on the clock.

There then followed a period of total dominance for the London Scottish team when they were rarely placed under pressure and managed to create three scores in a period of just 8 minutes. The forwards were outstanding in the scrum (although the line-outs will need some real work) with Tee-Jay and Daniel out-powering their opposite props and James hooking the ball cleanly. The team passed the ball confidently and ran directly at the Cheshunt team from all parts of the field. The forwards continued to win quick ball and the backs continued to move the ball well. The finishing touches, however, were all administered by Baz, whose dynamic running, left a number of the Cheshunt team on the floor. The two tries under the posts were duly converted by Adam. The last move of the first half resulted in a fourth try for Baz after some good work by the team in getting more good field position.

At half-time the game was virtually won but the team knew that they had to play uphill and they decided to use the boot to gain better field position. Cheshunt, to their credit, had not given up and provided a much sterner challenge in the second half. After an initial period of good forward play from the opposition and 5 minutes into the half, Cheshunt, then moved the ball wide and managed to sneak down the touchline to score a well-worked and deserved try. With a large crowd cheering them on Cheshunt then continued to run the ball back at London Scottish but the team worked really hard in defence and never looked like conceding another score. London Scottish also had their own opportunities to score more points. Drives by Scott, Simon and Declan and a neat run by Henry were only resisted by some excellent defensive rucking and tackling from Cheshunt.

A powerful tackle by Tom on the wing snuffed out the final Cheshunt attack and this typified the determination that gained the London Scottish team their first win in their first ever league game.

The most encouraging aspect of this game was the team-spirit which was evident throughout the match. The new-comers to the squad (Jake, Guy, Henry and Tom) have all had a big impact and have settled really well into the club and the team. They can now look forward, along with the rest of the team, to the next games with some real confidence. A great start!

Team: Daniel Neal; James Egan; Tee-Jay Farrell; Simon Davey; Scott Holloway; Will Conder; Baz Subhani; Declan McPate (capt.); Adam Ferguson; Munroe Third; Jake Birrell; Guy Luscombe; Tom Rocca; Cameron Maclean; Henry Allan-Lowe.

Euan Ferguson

friendly

London Welsh U13 s 15 – London Scottish U 13s 7

The last fixture between these two teams saw the Welsh comfortably beat the Scottish team. However a number of new recruits and some returning players have really enhanced our squad and the Scottish team that took to the field against Welsh bore no relation to the team beaten so heavily on their last outing.

Territorially and up-front, the spoils were shared in this encounter. The only difference between the teams was the better finishing out wide by the Welsh team, who scored three unanswered and unconverted tries in the first half.

In the second half the London Scottish team had far more of the play and completely dominated the set-piece and the territory. Their dominance began to have an effect as the Welsh gave away numerous penalties and eventually lost a player to the ‘sin-bin’ for arguing with the referee. A powerful rolling maul close to the Welsh try line resulted in a touch-down for Will, which Adam converted.

We have a great relationship with the Welsh, a number of the players having formed joint teams at the Esher floodlit festivals. The Welsh coaches were surprised at our progress since last season and pleased to see our team developing so well.

Team: Daniel Neal; James Egan; Tee-Jay Farrell; Simon Davey; Scott Holloway; Tom McMichael-Armstong; Will Conder; Baz Subhani; Declan McPate; Adam Ferguson; Munroe Third (capt); Joe Garland; Jake Birrell; Guy Luscombe; Tom Rocca; Cameron Maclean; Julian Graham; Joe Nellis; Henry Allan-Lowe.

Euan Ferguson

friendly

London Scottish U13s 13 – Staines U13s 5

After a month of training this was the first opportunity this season to see how the team would perform with the arrival of a number of new players. Staines are in the same league as Scottish, so this friendly fixture was a good chance to gain an advantage ahead of the league fixture to come.

Very quickly the team settled and started to challenge Staines in every aspect of the game. It wasn’t long before the team gained a lead with a penalty calmly taken by Adam. Within a few minutes Scottish had gained a real advantage with a well-worked try by Guy, one of the new boys in the team.

The Scottish team dominated territory for most of the match and if the rucking had been as effective as other aspects of play they would surely have scored more points. The team had to wait for the second half to score again. An unusual try saw Simon pick the ball up and completely surprise the opposition by out-flanking the Staines defence. An impressive run from second-row.

Staines fought back and scored a consolation try late in the game. This did not, however, dampen the delight in the London Scottish camp. An encouraging start to the season.

Team: Daniel Neal; James Egan; Tee-Jay Farrell; Simon Davey; Scott Holloway; Tom McMichael-Armstong; Will Conder; Declan McPate; Adam Ferguson (capt); Munroe Third; Joe Garland; Jake Birrell; Guy Luscombe; Tom Rocca; Cameron Maclean; Joe Nellis; Henry Allan-Lowe.

Euan Ferguson