Match Reports 12.03.22 and 13.03.22

1st XV Verulamians 19 vs 18 Actonians

This weekend saw the Vees travel down to play Actonians in what would prove to be the weekends second biggest match, following Scotland v Italy. Vees had come out on top in the previous fixture so a win was definitely on the minds of all that travelled. Barring a last minute change due to injury, the Vees were able to field a very strong team which saw Lachlan McComb back in his preferred position of second row, and James Ryan having a break from calling pick and go’s at 9 and playing in the centres.

Vees set the tone early in the match with an early entry into the Actonians half following some liquid rugby from the backs. Strong carries from the likes of Hugo Robinson and Jo Brando saw us breach the 22. The charge was unfortunately in vain as defenders were able to jackle the isolated attacker, an issue which proved to be recurring for the Vees throughout the afternoon.

The Vees weren’t disheartened and continued to enter the Actonians half regularly thanks to some pinpoint kicking from Fly Half Joe Brz. The Vees were finally rewarded for their sustained pressure when Brz challenged the Actonions Full Back with a high ball, a challenge he could not answer, and with Luke Moore hot on his trail, Luke was able to gather the loose ball and thanks to a high tackle on the line the ref awarded a penalty try.

The Vees didn’t settle for one try and continued this first half surge and thanks to an exquisite 22:22 from Joe Brz, we were in the opposition half once again. Flair rugby from the Vees sees the ball land in the hands of fan favourite Lachlan McComb following the line out, who forces us into the red zone with just the 3 defenders clinging onto him trying to get him down. Joe Brz ignores calls to go right and instead tries for the line himself. The ball eventually lands in the hands of young Full Back Adam Hatchett who finishes off the slick passage of play. Gareth Waters channels his inner Carter and converts from the sideline.

With the Vees 14-0, Actionians looked to respond. After being awarded a penalty in the front of the posts they opted for the easy points. Shortly after they would inflict more pressure on the Vees defence and despite heroic defending, they eventually got over the line. Half time score 14-10.

The second half started how the first ended; continued Actonians pressure. Some Vees players started warming up for the rugby league season early with some slightly above chest level tackles. It was this technique that saw Vees winger Luke Moore be given a red card. More despair for the Vees as Hugo Robinson tried to replicate his teammate’s rash challenge. Luckily, he only saw yellow.

Actionians pressure would take its toll on the score sheet with them going one point behind, thanks to another converted penalty under the posts, bringing the score to 14-13.

Once again however, the Vees showed their grit and following a series of strong set pieces from the forwards and hard carries in the opposition 22, colt hero Oakley Rs charged over the line to bring the score to 19-13.

It was a long final 5 minutes as Actonians piled on some late pressure in pursuit of the win. Despite being back up to our all too familiar number of 14 players, Vees couldn’t prevent a late try in the corner, 19-18. Everyone held their breath as Actionians looked to convert for the win…

Thankfully for the Vees, they weren’t able to add the winning points and the Vees held on for a huge win on the road!

Huge performances from both sides contributed to what was a fantastic contest between two strong teams.

U16s Verulamians v Fullerians 12 - 10

Vees triumph in titanic top of the league battle!

First half

The last time the two teams met was just before the first lockdown when Fullerians triumphed 10-0 in the Herts plate semi-final.  2 years on and both sides took to the field at least 6 inches per lad taller, Fullerians winning the height battle with their 6ft 8inch No. 8!

The Vees kicked off and forced themselves on to the front foot. An intelligent chip by Jamie F to the wing was not fielded by the Fullerians winger and bounced ominously but Ben couldn’t field the ball with the try line beckoning.

Next up from deep in their own half, Vees knocked on but it was not seen by the ref and Will picked up and fed Ben who outstripped 2 players for pace only to see a great try saving tackle into touch deny the pace man.  On video review, the linesman missed a foot in touch but its difficult to see those lightning feet.

Fullerians had a chance after an offside given against Sam FB as he attempted to get a head start in his line speed. Fullers attempted the penalty kick but it missed wide.

Vees got back on the front foot and Ben was again denied, this time through a deliberate knock by the Fullerians winger as captain for the day Will tried to feed Ben the ball.  Another ref might have awarded a penalty try but the penalty and a 7 minute sin bin for the winger was judged to be sufficient.   From the penalty, an ever willing power crash was taken by Ellis but he was stopped 2m short. As the Fullerians pack dove over through the ruck, Austin picked and stretched out every sinew to smash the ball down one handed for the deserved try.

5-0 as Jamie F had the accuracy but not quite the distance on the kick.

Further tries were denied as Will made two excellent breaks but each time he was adjudged to have received a forward pass. Even Bruce, with his NZ heritage of ‘lateral passes’ thought they were forward.  On video review the second was a very harsh call.

Next up Vees were hurt by some missed and incorrect calls. A knock on by Fullers was missed following a clearing kick and pressure on their player. Fullerians played on and although they got over the line, Will and Olly P did an excellent job of preventing the try for what should have been a dropout behind Vees goal line.  Despite the sideline protestations, a scrum was awarded and the Fullers flanker crashed over for a try to tie the game at 5 points apiece. Kick missed.

5-5

Second half

The second half saw Vees absorb unnecessary pressure as Fullerians laid siege to their line at times. From one such period of pressure, Fullerians forced a 5m scrum. The 9 picked up and evaded the attentions of Matthew and Austin, drawing In Jamie S before offloading in the tackle which saw good hands from the winger to get over for the try.

5-10

From the kick off, Fullerians quickly attacked with Will out of position having chased the kick. The ball went wide to their dangerous flanker but Jamie S had filled the vacant full back hole and made a cracking one on one tackle as he wrapped up a big leg with sure grip to deny a certain score.

A mistake from Fullerians saw them kick over the dead ball line from inside their half. From the scrum, Sam FB took a great, full pace line off Jamie F as the mercurial 10 absorbed the hit. With only the full back to beat, flying FB easily rounded him to touch down by the posts. Jamie F added the 2 points to provide the lead.

12-10

Vees had opportunities to add to their tally as recovery of intelligent kicks lead to desperate defence from Fullers, a couple of two on one opportunities went begging and Reuben was held up over their line following a 5m penalty taken quickly.

In the final 10 minutes, Fullerians applied the pressure as they camped in the Vees 22, however despite the Vees coaches thinking of words of encouragement following a loss, the Vees dogged and determined defence held firm to maintain the slender lead to the final whistle.

An uncompromising encounter at the top of the table with both sides showing physicality, grit and determination.  An enjoyable game that aged all those watching by a good 10 years!  Vees could have made it comfortable if they’d taken their chances but equally they defended desperately to ensure Fullerians breaks didn’t make it over the line.

Final Score

Vees 12 - 10 Fullerians

(Tries: Austin, Sam FB. Conversion: Jamie F)

Players of the day (picked by Fullerians and rightly deserved)

Austin - for his rucking.  Some excellent stealing of ball and strong securing of our ball.

Will - for his attacking runs.  Watching the video sees how many line breaks he makes.

Players of the day (coaches view)

Rhydian - playing his first game at flanker, following a strong showing at training Thursday, and was a force of nature making big and important hits, securing ball at the breakdown and taking red ball hit ups at pace.

Sam FB - fantastic line for the try, showed up in a number of breaks, won ball in jackalling and some kicking becoming another tool in his locker.

U14s Verulamians v Letchworth 31 - 5

A Grey, with rain in the air midday kick off for the mighty Vees under 14’s.
This was the final league game of the season
Vees off to their usual fast start with Arthur going over near the posts and adding the conversion.
After more pressure the Vees went over the line again, but my meticulous notes fails to reveal which Freddie scored it . {they can both take the credit}. Conversion scored.
More good counter rucking lead to max on his return getting his hand on the ball, and Quinn skilfully kicking the ball on 3 times and scoring.
No conversion.
Back came letchworth, they were not prepared to lie down, and scored a try on the right hand side. Not converted.
From the restart precise attack from the Vees saw a determined Luca take the ball and power over. Conversion scored.
The second half saw an early try from Arthur, no conversion.
The rest of the game was a real dogged affair with the Vees camped mostly in the letchworth half, with the Vees being punished by the ref for indiscipline on several occasions , but no more scoring from either side.
To sum up the game,
Another comprehensive victory for the Vees!

U13s Verulamians v Ruislip U13s 80 - 0

With a strong squad turnout of 20 on the day, Vees U13s took to the field for their last league game of the season, having only lost one so far this season. High noon kick off.  In rain and blustery conditions, but with an excellent and vocal Vees parental turnout, could the U13s Vees machine put in one final great effort.

Well, what a start. With the bit between their teeth and finally, to the joy of the onlooking coaches including ref for the day John, they put into practice what the coaches had so patiently been trying to drum into them for the last week after week!

Though uphill for the first half, the start was simply electric…….2 mins gone, and some great work from the forwards, quick ball down the line in exemplary fashion got the ball to full back Boris who’d come up in to the line, put in a great run and touched down for what was to be the first of many to come for Vees. 5-0.

Ruislip had some mountains of players in their forwards but Vees tackling, notably early on from Max, Gethin and Jayden was ferocious and stunned Ruislip, who to be fair, really went at it hard.

The scrummaging by Vees forwards was titanic, winning scrum after scrum and several against the head. Captain for the day Harry P put in a truly Captain’s performance, inspiring his team with some tenacious tackling himself and great hooking. He was all over the pitch with unseen before levels of energy! Like a man possessed some might say.

The Vees machine was on the rampage, and there followed an absolutely mesmerising passage of play with great forwards play/rucking then passing through the backs with a great line from Vees moving up together and constantly pressuring the opposition into unforced error after error/knock ons.…….the result of this saw great tries in relatively quick succession from Jayden, Max, Max again, Seb (with a really powerful smart run) and Dylan (who had his best game yet at fly half)…..half time….30-0!

It was a great first half, mention should also be made of Vees’ scrum half Henry, playing probably his best game of the season, digging that ball out and supplying quick smart ball to the backs to do the damage. However, again full credit to Ruislip whose heads never dropped, and a great display from their Captain George who just played a great all round game and particularly impressed in never stopping  encouraging his teammates, and handling some difficult moments towards the end really well and maturely.

After rousing, almost Churchillianesque words from Vees coach Mike at half time, the second half saw Vees playing downhill, but their rugby was only going up. Again monumental scrummaging from the forwards, notably Bodie, Arthur, Tom D, Oscar, Harry P and Luke, and some great rucking and counter rucking (Arthur) ensured the style of play the coaches had been longing for and working hard to create, came to fruition. Ruislip were being outplayed all over the pitch, though again they fought back hard…Vees tackling never stopped with Seb, James and Tom V battling hard against Ruislip’s giants. Great fast ball and text book passing out to the lightning fast Emmanuel on the wing saw him hit the gas and score in the corner to make it 35-0. Minutes later Emmanuel was on the run again touching down brilliantly with electric pace for his second to make it 40-0.

Again Ruislip kept putting in some strong runs, but could not get through the Vees immense defence, Vees throwing their bodies all over the pitch determined to keep their first clean sheet of the season. Immense work. Some further great play then saw relatively recent joiner Dapo get the ball at inside centre and go on what can only be described as a run of destruction, through several Ruislip players, handing off another with nonchalance, and touching down in the corner to make it 45-0. A further brilliant passage of play then saw tries from Jayden (his second), Dapo (his second), Oscar (after a storming run), and Gethin, who had put in one of his best shifts of the season – 65-0. A shout out also to Eddie, who tirelessly marshalled the other Vees wing, wasn’t able to get on the scoresheet today, but whose, so important, commitment to the team and support on the pitch for his teammates was so great to see.

Although frustrated at times, Ruislip never gave up but just could not break through the Vees blue and yellow wall. The onslaught continued, Vees determined to keep that clean sheet then saw a great run down the middle by Tom D and some great passing got the ball out to Jayden for his hat trick! 70-0.

With minutes remaining, another brutal run saw Dapo get his first hat trick for Vees (huge congrats!), and then a superb and smart piece of play between Max and Boris enabled Boris to touch down for a wonderfully crafted try, and Vees 16th, final score 80-0 to Vees.

Incredible match, Vees’ first clean sheet of the season, and finishing off their first season of league fixtures in style! Onwards and upwards to U14s next season.

Vees Man of the Match (picked by the Ruislip coaches): Max

Vees all round team player of the day (picked by the Vees coaches): Harry P

Ruislip Man of the Match (picked by the Vees coaches): George

…prizes of chocolate bars demolished pretty swiftly I think!

Big thanks to all the Vees coaches, John, Ali, Alun, Mike and David for a great campaign and really hard work with the boys….and with a few friendlies still to come.

And finally a huge thanks to all the Vees parents for their great support and help in taxiing the boys around and support on the touchline at matches, which is really appreciated.