U16s make winning start to 2012

Expect the unexpected is a common rugby mantra and so it proved today. Heath, fully expecting to field a full 15, had three player cancellations within 12hrs of kick off and fielded the 12 minimum. Fully expecting to play against 13, Edenbridge too suffered a similar experience and had just 12 players available.

12 –a –side it was. 6 in the pack, 6 in the backs. Heath also welcomed back Tom Parr for his first club match this season.

From kick-off Heath looked the more organised side and began playing their patterns. A break from Rory put him behind the opposition and quick hands by Ollie Watson, at fly half, to James Woods, Inside Centre saw Toby Guest in the clear. He drew the last defender and left Max Shanley to sprint in from the 22 and score behind the posts. Ben Robson duly converted.

More ensuing pressure by the forwards and some basic erorrs by Edenbridge pegged them in their 22 and a charged down clearance kick by Rory led to Heath ‘s 2nd try. Scored by Rory.

Heath were now looking dominant with forwards and back combining. Billy Downes was like a charging bullock as he made several incisive runs. This eventually led to a ruck short of the Edenbridge try line. With ball recycled Rory picked up and powered over for Heath’s 3rd try. 17pts to nil.

Heath’s final try of the first half score came from Ben Robson. Again, excellent interchanging play by the forwards and backs and quick recycling took Heath to Edenbridge’s 22. The ball was spread wide and Ben Robson put on the ‘after burners’ to go round the winger and score under the posts. 24 – 0 and half time.

Second half did not start well with Heath failing to get the ball over the 10m line. Edenbridge won the scrum and attacked. A couple of phases later and quick ball to their fastest player saw him pass our centres and winger to score outwide. 24 – 5.

Heath responded almost immediately. The boys upped their tempo and pressure from the kick off and pinned Edenbridge in their 22. A blindside break left Higgins 5 metres short and in touch. With the lineout being stolen by Heath, two ruck phases ensued before Tom Parr burrowed over the line. 29 – 5.

Both teams started to tire and with the error count increasing on both sides Heath maintained the territorial advantage. A scrum outside the Edenbridge 22 to Heath was driven up the midfield. Two further drives by Smith and Higgins and another ruck 5m out was recycled to Kotz who drove over for a try. 34 – 5.

Heath’s final try came from a scrum in the middle of the park. Rory broke to charge at the centre, he ’Sonny Bill Williams style’ ( that’s a one handed back hand pass) fed to Julian who drew the winger and put Shanners in the clear for him to outsprint the cover defence and score. 39 -5. FINAL SCORE.

This was a fantastic team effort with everyone playing their socks off for each other. This was best demonstrated when one of their fastest players intercepted one of our passes inside their own 22, when we were winning 39 -5. He broke clear but was hunted down by Robson, Shanley and Guest.