2nd XV lose out to well drilled UCS
UCS 2nd XV 52 vs 10 Verulamians 2nd XV
A youthful Vee’s 2nd team traveled down the M1 for the second time this season to play UCS. With the previous victory over the North London side filling the Vee’s Contingent with confidence the game began.
UCS would begin the game piling pressure on the Vee’s with an organised pack and powerful back field runners. Line breaks would see the travelling team on the back foot and they would’ve found themselves behind early on had it not been for back to back try saving tackles from debutant Luke McAndrew and Full back James Manley. Ethan Reynolds would Clamp himself onto the ball and make a steal that prevented a certain try.
With the wind and rain blasting the faces of the blue and gold, territory would be won the old fashioned way. Liam field, Omar ramdani and Owen Cranny constantly crashing themselves into a powerful defence made space for the pacey backs out wide who would eventually force the UCS defence into conceding a penalty. With a little nudge to the UCS corner seeming inevitable and the home side already setting themselves to defend a lineout, quick thinking and returning captain James Ryan would tap and go spinning a pass to Ethan Reynolds who would crash over the Try line taking 2 or 3 defenders with him.
The remainder of the first half would see a tightly contested battle, but the home side would take the advantage scoring in quick succession before the break.
UCS would start the second half as they finished the first, a bulky back line running hard lines proved to be too much at times for the tiring Vee’s as they leaked line breaks which would later turn to scores. Lots of time defending their own line and limited ball in hand meant the fading visitors would concede 52.
The referee notified the Verulamians that the restart would be the last play, and in true OV’S spirit they would not roll over. McAndrew regaining Ryan’s kick gave Vees a second wind. Rather than trying to spin a wet muddy ball out wide the boys in blue and gold kept it tight and opted to ‘Rhino’ their way over. Harry Tearle, Tom Golding and Lewis Oakey bashed their way up the pitch with Darren Westhead getting the Try.
A tough day at the office for all the lads involved, the well drilled opposition coupled with a flattering score line meant the Vee’s boys came away from the game with plenty of work to do on the training paddock.
Written by James Ryan
