Newport HSOB Under 9’s travelled to RTB Ebbw Vale for their first game of the New Year and in an enthralling encounter in which both sides refused to give an inch, gained a 5 tries to 4 win.
From the start both sides were highly competitive at the breakdown and allowed their opponents little space. NHSOB’s good work from Aneurin Owen and Callum Oliver was rewarded when Peter Davies broke free to score a fine individual try.
RTB fought back with an effective game plan of using their much bigger players to drive at the heart of the NHSOB defence before spreading the ball out to their speedy runners. NHSOB withheld them before they finally equalled the scores.
RTB continued to attack, but excellent defence from Rhodri Chapman, Josh Farmer and Lewis Everett kept them out and a fine tackle from the impressive Taylor Kidd dislodged the ball which was picked up by the elusive Ethan Clayden to burst through to score. RTB responded before half time to draw the scores level at 2-2.
The second half started with RTB in the ascendancy and they made the pressure tell to take the lead. NHSOB responded through Ethan Clayden to draw the scores level before RTB again made use of their strong runners to retake the lead at 4-3.
As the game entered its final stages it was anyone’s match and good work from Callum Rossitter, George O’Gara and Sam Steed was rewarded when NHSOB Man of the Match Peter Davies sprinted in to level the scores.
As a draw looked like being the likely and fairest result, NHSOB went on the attack once more and good driving play was rewarded when Aneurin Owen drove over to win the match with the final touch of the game.
NHSOB Under 9’s Squad for the game against RTB Ebbw Vale:
Rhodri Chapman, Ethan Clayden, Peter Davies, Lewis Everett, Josh Farmer, Taylor Kidd, George O’Gara, Callum Oliver (Captain), Aneurin Owen, Callum Rossiter, Sam Steed.
