Dec 5th - Match Reports
Verulamians 18 vs 10 Actonians
Off the back of a mixture of results in recent weeks, Verulamians prepared for a clash that would be pivotal in how the final standings played out at the end of the season. Actonians travelled up from West London to Cotlandswick in what looked to be a great contest.
Verulamians started off very brightly as was the theme in the last few matches. With stand in fly half Joe Breeze now becoming a natural at the position, the lads in blue and yellow looked well organised and eager to score first. After some good exit play from our half and a smart 50:22 kick from new recruit Tom Spratt verulamians had the platform they wanted to capitalise on!
After some tight phases play off the back of a 5 metre scrum the ever ominous Harry Mack managed to burrow over in the left hand corner much to the delight of the bustling crowd on the sidelines. With their tails up Vee’s wanted more and managed to find themselves in the Actonians 22 again after some great tempo from the outside backs.
All of a sudden out of nowhere with a bouncing ball our scrum half James Ryan opportunistically punted the ball across the pitch over the opposition winger for Jake Lawrence to collect and scamper over!
With two tries scored Vee’s continued their eager play but Actonians fought back fiercely and with a strong wind behind them looked to pin us back in our half. This forced the boys in blue and yellow to have to play deep out of their half which led to an unlucky intercept allowing Actonians to score under the posts. Despite this dagger to the Vee’s momentum, up stepped club stalwart in his final game for the club Stuart Patterson who managed for the first time ever to charge the conversion down!
The crowd cheered in absolute delight at this which led to a spirited last 10 minutes where Vee’s managed to survive an onslaught of attack on their try line by Actonians.
As the second half ensued, Vee’s looked to score early to regain their grasp on the game. Now with the wind in their favour as well as the slope, the lads put in some smart kicks to find ourselves with an attacking line out only 10 metres out. After some patient tight play by the forwards, our man of the match Stu Pats smashed over to score in Cotlandswick corner!
18-5 the scores stood as the match looked to be well and truly in Verulamians hands. However, with attrition starting to takes it’s toll we succumbed to a few injuries leading to Actonians starting to surmount some pressure through their powerful scrum. After an intense to and fro for 20 minutes, Actonians managed to score to make the score now 18- 10 as the crowd looked on nervously.
Nevertheless, Verulamians stood strong and remained spirited as they have done all season and managed to see the win out to the final whistle to everyone’s delight!
A special mention to Stu Pats in his final game who managed to both score and charge down a conversion in what people thought could never happen.
Once a Vee always a Vee!
Under 16s: Chess Valley 19 vs 14 Verulamians
An inch from winning on a day when mistakes cost Vees who still fought bravely until the final whistle.
A cold and damp morning made for tough handling conditions although Chess Valley showed more precision with their passing and catching on the whole. As a friendly with both teams with a few subs the games was played in four 15 minute quarters. Last time the teams faced off, Chess Valley won 40 points to 7 so a tough game was expected.
Quarter 1
Chess Valley showed their intent as from a ruck, their big front row player crashed through. Will tackled him to the ground but he offloaded to his team mate. The next wave of Vees tacklers forced a knock on by and Olly P claimed the loose ball. From the resulting ruck just outside the Vees 22, Will made the break, streaking under the posts with the Chess Valley defence nowhere near him. Jamie F added the simple conversion, making sure he popped into a garden for a 0-7 lead.
The remainder of the half saw several missed opportunities as knock-ons and failed opportunities to use overlaps effectively cost Vees at least two more tries.
Quarter 2
From the kick off Vees knock on and following sustained pressure from the Chess Valley forwards, they crashed over from short range. Conversion missed - 5-7.
Some loose Vees passing put us under pressure and Chess Valley generated a penalty on the 5m line. The move to the big front row was telegraphed to every single person apart from the 14 Vees players other than Reuben who rushed out to attempt a tackle which the big fella (county captain apparently) managed to half evade and crash over. Something to work on, team tackling from our line. Conversion added for 12-7.
Chess Valley then had a player sin binned as he tried to remove Ethan’s head with a high seatbelt tackle. The ball was on the 5m line but good tackling by Chess Valley followed by some aimless rucking (on of my many pet hates) at the breakdown saw Vees kick the ball to the opposition who cleared.
Quarter 3
The third quarter saw Vees come out fighting and a good break by Will who fed Sam FB who fed Ben saw him tackled into touch just short of the goal line.
Another spate of mistakes and knock-ons lead to Chess pressure and a penalty which they attempted to kick. It was missed to keep the score at 12-7.
Quarter 4
The next try came from great sustained pressure with Vees hammering the ball into a brick wall of a Chess Valley defence. Olly P, George and Will were all thundering close to the line. It was truly excellent defence from Chess but Vees inched forwards until George got over for the try. Another Jamie F conversion made it 12-14.
Chess Valley struck next following pressure on our goal line which saw more good work from Olly P to turn over the ball. As we attempted to clear the ball was charged down and then touched down by Vees in goal. From the new rule of a drop out behind our goal line, it sailed to the danger man on the wing who with too few Vees chasers made it in for a try which was converted. 19-14.
Vees fought back, showing excellent heart and determination which saw forays on the wings by Luka and Jamie S both getting close. As Vees controlled the ball, we again started hammering at the middle, spurning a number of overlaps as try line tunnel vision struck. It looked like it had worked as Olly P crashed over but the ref deemed the ball held up on the last play of the game as the Vees lost by an inch.
It was very much a winnable game which a sharper Vees team on the day could have won. Our ball control and decision making mistakes cost us tries and gave the opposition each theirs. The boys fought until the end though and never gave up against a team that hails from the league above us.
Final Score: Chess Valley 19 – 14 Vees (Tries: Will, George. Conversions: Jamie F x 2)
Players of the Day
Sam FB – Some shaky passing from 9 in the first half but he more than made up for it as he dropped the hammer from centre in the second half, levelling players with a number of huge hits as he enjoys his new found size and strength.
Matthew – His best game for Vees as he entered the cauldron with Vees struggling to get clean ball from scrums and lineouts but he remained composed, showed excellent passing and some great, intelligent box kicks to relieve pressure.
Hugo – An unsung hero but never makes a mistake, is always solid and has great hands for a front row player. An intelligent player who makes a difference.
Olly P – As he grows his understanding of the game and reacts a split second faster, his strength is coming to the fore in his stealing of the ball from the opposition. He created multiple turnovers and saved 2 tries through his efforts.
Special Mentions
After the game, the ref noted two standout players for him – George who was his usual destructively powerful self with the ball in hand and Charlie who showed his great leadership skills to keep the Vees focussed and disciplined in the face of the adversity we put ourselves into. The ref had seen many teams fall apart under sustained pressure and when things are going against a team. Well done both.
Under 15s: Hertford 36 vs 7 Welwyn and Verulamians
In a tough encounter against one of the strongest clubs in the county, the WVs put in a determined effort against strong opposition.
The story of the game unfolded as WVs were slightly off their normal press and aggression in the first half allowing a number of tries to be scored before they got going. As the half drew on the Vees started to find some of their rhythm and pressed the opposition quicker, and developing a stronger defensive game.
The WVs started much stronger in the second half and made the supporters proud, as they never gave up and kept going until the end with plenty of driving bursts forward by Tungi allowing the Vees to gain some much needed territory into the Hertford half where much more of the game was played than in the first half.
Tom H scored his first try for the club down the left hand side after continued pressure by the Vees battering their way towards the try line and shortly after a close effort by Jack. Tom H’s try was converted excellently by Alfie as he kicked with great technique powerfully through the posts.
Towards the end of the game, the spirit of this WVees side was the ‘triple tackle by Jack’ as he tackled one player, who managed to pass off, but Jack tackled the next player in possession and followed up by putting a third player out for touch.
A powerful performance by Tungi won him the Big Vernon man of the match trophy but also excellent performances by Tom B, who showed aggression in the tackle and great passing and handling out of the scrum, and Tom H who scored a great try.
Unfortunately, the game was abandoned due to an incident, however, the WVees conducted themselves well. It serves as a reminder to all in the game of the values that make it so special - Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship.