Match Reports 20th February
Vees U13s - v Cheshunt - Sunday 20th February 40 - 20
On the back of a great midweek win against a strong Stockwood Park side, in driving rain and wind, and being the only match being played at Vees this morning, the hardy U13s, depleted by injuries to the pack, steeled themselves to face a strong Cheshunt side who trounced then early on in the season.
A truly titanic battle followed with Vees U13s raising their game like never before. Bravely led by forward Paddy making his debut as Captain, Vees, uphill and against the wind/rain for the first half, made a shaky/nervy start (not unfamiliar) going down to an early try, with Cheshunt running straight through them. 5-0 to Cheshunt. Cheshunt were a strong, physical side. However, buoyed by the vocal support of a great parents turn out and the usual booming and inspiring touchline voices of the U13s coaches, not least David B reaching new heights of decibels, Vees started to turn the tide and get a grip on the game, if not always a very wet ball.
The hard work in recent training the whole squad had been putting in on the basics of passing, rucking and tackling began to show, and the passing game the coaches had been so desperate to see, finally clicked in. With great strong work in the forwards by a front 5 of Harry B, Tom D, Paddy, Dapo (brilliantly stepping into the pack due to injuries), Tom V and Arthur at 8, great ball was won from a scrum against the head, sublime passing down the line through the backs, orchestrated by Dylan W at fly half and with some great hands from Henry and Seb out to Jayden on the wing for a blistering run hugging the touchline, and scoring a great try to make it 5-5.
Cheshunt then rallied with a great try to go 10-5 up. With some serious words from the Captain Paddy, and the Vees team spirit kicking in, Vees then had a period of great play. Not quite sure if Cheshunt knew what hit them when a repeat move of the first try led to Jayden scoring his 2nd.. Vees tails were well and truly up. 10-10. Again Cheshunt still with the wind behind them battled hard to notch up another top try running through Vees to go 15-10 up at half time.
A few pre planned tactical substitutions were made by Vees at half time with Emmanuel coming on at 8, James at Prop and Tom V 2nd Row. Harry B was playing a blinder at scrum half and then in the second half with the wind and driving rain behind them Vees hit the gas. Great ball won by the forwards, then some adept work by Seb getting the ball to Max, saw Max, aka Tuilagi, go on a crashing run down the blind side, superb hand off at pace to run in Vees’ 3rd try to pull it back to 15-15. Game on! Disappointingly but with some more strong play, Cheshunt then pulled a quick one back to go 20-15 up. However, with some great backs work by Harry B, Seb, and Dylan W getting great passing ball out to the lightning Jayden on the wing, Jayden stepped outside and hit roadrunner pace to score in the corner….20-20, and his hat trick!. Another crashing run then by Max soon after pulled Vees back in front 25-20 . The tension on the touchline was palpable! The game was tight with Cheshunt never taking a step back and slugging it out with Vees’ pack in the ever heavy rain and wind. Some truly awesome and brave tackles being put in by James, Gethin, Dylan W, Seb and Jayden, and some outstanding rucking by Arthur, Paddy and Mateusz. Great praise too to Tom D for some great plundering runs through the middle.
There then followed a stunning period of glorious play by Vees in the final 8 minutes which saw recent and very welcome joiner Emmanuel step to the fore filling in on the wing and, again, after some epic forwards play and beautiful hands from the backs, touching down his debut try, closely followed by his second. There was no stopping him! Great effort Manny! 35-20. Vees at this point were playing, despite the conditions, some of their best rugby of the season, and great credit to the coaches stripping it back to basics in recent training. Dapo almost got away to score a nailed on try but the ever vigilant John Penn as ref, rightly, called a marginal forward pass. Billy, before injury, had a great game on the wing, and Charlie on the wing as brave as ever. Boris started well as full back, as always, then sadly off with a knee injury saw Gethin valiantly stepping in for him.
With 2 minutes to go, left wing Jayden decided time for one more try, picked up some loose ball in the centre brilliantly and ran in his 4th……..final score 40-20 victory to Vees.
A monster of a game by Vees, but huge credit and thanks to Cheshunt for putting up such a great fight, the game being much tighter than the score suggested. Good to see both teams in the clubhouse after enjoying the hot pasta!