Under 13s - Southwark Tigers u13’s V Whitefoot Lane Warriors
Tigers Team:
Charlie (Prop), Sean (Hooker), Royce (Prop), Dean (Lock), John
(Lock), Bill (Scrum half), Ruskin (Fly Half), Adam (centre),
Emmanuel (Wing), Spike (Wing).
Tigers took to the field with a mixture of youth and youthful experience, new
boys Spike and Ruskin making their Tigers debuts.
The Tigers started powerfully, the pack producing good quick ball that scrum
half Bill swiftly moved wide, this allowed Emmanuel in particular to exploit
the open spaces and he scored two early tries. Despite this initial setback,
the Warriors began to gain some good territory and this resulted in an
excellent try in the corner, however, the tone was set for the first half and
the Tigers forwards became increasingly influential as they carried the game
to the Warriors.
Following that Warriors try, the Tigers began to exert sustained pressure,
carrying the ball powerfully, Royce and Charlie in particular caused huge
problems for the Warriors defence and the breakthrough soon came as
Charlie carried not only the ball but three Warriors defenders over the line
for a great try, the first of his two in the game. With the Tigers now
encouraged to put the ball through the hands, Charlie once again featured
with a brilliant off-load out of the tackle that almost resulted in a try in the
corner for Sean, only desperate Warriors defence kept the hooker out. Bill
was varying his game at scrum half. Ruskin regularly stood at first receiver
as the Tigers half-backs caused havoc in the Warriors defence and the
Warriors were pinned down in their own half only able to feed off scraps of
possession. The Tigers defended high up the field with John in particular
doing a huge amount of damage in the rucks and mauls and they finished the
half six tries to one in the lead.
After the break the Warriors introduced two extra players and this made the
game increasingly competitive resulting in two early second half Warriors
tries. For the first time in the game the Tigers defence was being severely
tested, the Tigers lost Dean temporarily with a contact lens problem,
however, once again John featured strongly and with Emmanuel’s pace in
defence the Tigers were able to resist the Warriors onslaught. Spike and
Adam became increasingly involved in the game as they moved infield
looking for work and Bill controlled the game at ruck and maul by either
moving the ball or making some great breaks. With Dean back in the second
row and working hard, the forwards dug deep and competed well at scrum
and lineout. The game finished with one further try each, Emmanuel once
again touching down for the Tigers, and a very entertaining game finished
seven tries to four in the Tigers favour.
An eagerly anticipated return fixture awaits the Tigers in Lewisham next
Sunday 15th.