04.12.11
Nhsob U9's v Ynynsddu U9's
The low temperature didn't mirror the high expectations of the home crowd making their pilgrimage to Yew Tree Lane to quaff the "champagne rugby" played NHSOB U9's in recent weeks.
From their kick off, the visitors caught the Old Boys napping, quickly making ground and through a succession of quick passes and show of pace, out foxed the defence to cross the line with relative ease. A quick pass from the Old Boys restart found the secure hands of G Evans whose playing style was less "Champagne Ruby", more "Special Vat", as he powered like a Juggernaut through the Ynynsddu defence leaving bodies in his wake to claim the hosts first score of the match. Ynynsddu attempted to draw level using their initial tactic but NHSOB countered with hard tackles and big hits, notably by Harry Belcher, Llywelyn Clement and a Geriant Evans signature tackle forced his opponent into touch. An Old Boy play at blistering pace started by Jacob Shaw, involving Matthew Wall and Emily "War Face" Brunnock and finished by Jacob Shaw put the home side one try ahead. Ynynsddu couldn't capitalise on their own possession, NHSOB stifled play, slowing the game down and forcing them to make mistakes, inevitably an off side decision allowed the Old Boys possession that was exploited ruthlessly, in a display of rugby "shock and awe" the hosts advanced with Matthew Wall making the scoring pass to Gethin Evans who showed that front row players can indeed have pace and confidently grounded the ball to score. Straight from the Ynynsddu restart Elliot cheekily stole the ball and sprinted three quarters of the pitch to claim his try. For the remainder of this period of play, NHSOB comfortable with their lead defended their territory resolutely not giving an inch, demonstrating their physical dominance over the visitors, they won possession and in the last play of this half Jacob offloaded to Harry Belcher who frustratingly was forced into touch.
The Old Boys started the second half with tries by Harry Belcher and Thomas Rist both gleaned from stolen ball by scrappy opposition play, but a third Old Boy try by Llywelyn Clement was thwarted when he was brought to ground just short of the try line. Tenacious tackling by the home side dominated play; huge efforts from all players Dylan Short, Matthew Wall, Archie Thomas, special mention goes to Emily "War Face" Brunnock who despite the obvious physical mismatch floored a ball carrier with steely determination. Ynynsddu buckled under the insurmountable pressure and Matthew Wall broke through their defensive line for an unhindered half pitch run to score his second try of the game. NHSOB clearly identified that slowing down play works for them as from the restart Ynynsddu were not gaining any ground, slow, turgid play was the order of the day, until Harry Belcher sprang cat like upon a loose ball and sealed a resounding victory over the visitors by claiming his second try of the day immediately before the ref blew full time.
FINAL SCORE
NHSOB U9's Ynynsddu U 9's 1
Special thanks to Pat "Stamp it out you big girl" Brunnock for remembering enough of the rules to act as referee as Andy "Rocky" Gwilliam was unavailable due to his commitment to Fight Club..............but he doesn't talk about that.
