11th and 12th DecMatch Reports
Seniors: Kilburn Cosmos 19 vs Verulamians 10
A tight game at Kilburn Cosmos saw a couple of debutants with new player Lachlan McComb who recently joined the Vees, and a senior debut for academy product Ollie Rennie-Sevill straight out of our Colts set-up. Welcome to the club Lachlan and welcome to the Seniors Ollie, who grabbed the man of the match award.
UNDER 16s: Twickenham 5 vs 20 Verulamians
Near impenetrable defence paves the way for hard fought league victory.
First half
Twickenham were hosting Vees on their main pitch. The ref, also the groundsman, had done a sterling job of keeping it in fine, firm condition.
The match Started at a good pace and after some toing and froing, the Vees had the first half chance in the Twickenham 22 but Charlie held on to the ball when the 2 on 1, with Jamie S looming, might have been the better option with hindsight.
The next chance came from intelligent play by Luka as he saw the defence was flat, the full back on the other side of the pitch and he put a neat grubbed behind. He raced through and with a couple of further deft touches with his foot, the ball was over the line with Will having supported and touching down for the score.
The sure foot of Jamie F added the conversion.
0-7
The next highlight came as Sam FB lit up the Twickenham centre with big hit inside their 10m line, driving him back several metres in the process. As the Vees turned the ball over in ominous position, the ref blew up for an, at least from the Vees sideline, unexplained penalty, allowing them to clear their lines.
Next up an intelligent chip was perfectly judged by Jamie F and it caused confusion in the Twickenham defence. Jamie S chased through and forced a Vees penalty. The big man Ellis crashed it in from 5m but the Twickenham defence repelled the first wave. Austin picked up and dived over, touching down for the try. Jamie F slotted the conversion into the corner of the posts.
0-14
Vees should have added to their tally as Sam FB was inexplicably denied after touching down over the line after good work from Will who, showing imitation is the best form of flattery, copied Luka with some chipping and dribbling of his own.
Vees forced penalty in front of the posts with Twickenham holding on as Sam FB was jackling over the ball. The Ice Boy Jamie F stepped up to coolly slot the three pointer.
0-17
Second half
The first action saw the ball move wide to Ben who streaked past 3 would be cover tacklers but the full back got across well and tackled him into touch on the 22.
Twickenham cleared from their 22 and a great catch was mad by Ben under pressure but he was slammed to the turf landing on his shoulder and unfortunately breaking his collarbone in two places. Wishing you a recovery as speedy as you are Ben!
Twickenham enjoyed a spell camped in the Vees 22 but solid defence and lightning line speed by the backs repelled each wave and from penalties on our 5m line, Ellis was determined to let none past, stopping attackers dead in their tracks.
Eventually from the sustained pressure, and with each 50/50 decision seemingly going the way of Twickenham, they moved the ball out wide and just about our only missed tackle on the day saw their 15 over near the sideline. He gave Will some afters comparing the delicately coiffured mullet to a penguin! The conversion was missed. Will showing his newfound maturity of “a 38 year old man in a 16 year old’s body” (in the words of Perry – “Reeeaaaally Will?”) didn’t react other than point to the scoreboard.
5-17
From the kick off, Vees chased hard and a customary big hit from Ayman saw Vees turn the ball over. The ball was shipped out by Vees and a powerful run from Austin saw him bounce the would be tackler before a Twickenham infringement gave Vees a penalty in front of the posts. Up stepped Jamie F to attempt the kick and you could hear a pin drop until the hardcore Vees faithful on the sideline erupted on seeing its straight and true trajectory scything the posts in half.
5-20
A famous victory in a cauldron of opposition rucking close to Rugby HQ. An evenly contested game where Vees intelligence to use grubbers to find space made the difference along with the extra practice Jamie F has repeatedly put in with his kicking. Credit to Twickenham who play hard and were smashing into rucks and sending Vees players backwards which we responded to well by committing players to the breakdown to secure the ball.
Our first win over Twickenham having been in their league for several years. 2-6 and 14-26 losses to them previously at u13s and U14s respectively.
On another positive note, Vees played largely mistake free this week with my ‘F***’s Sake’ Shake, only needed (and spotted) twice - thanks Vin and Jacobs family for noticing how my coaching Tourette’s manifests itself!
Final Score: Twickenham 5 – 20 Vees (Tries: Will, Austin. Conversions: Jamie F x 2. Penalties: Jamie F x 2).
Players of the Day
Reuben: Great strength over the ball, always a willing runner and mastering stealing the ball against the head from hooker.
Ellis: Rampaging prop, always a willing runner and worked equally hard to repel the opposition in defence. Voted as MoM by the opposition. Even Better If: Needs work on downing a pint of blackcurrant juice.
Luka: Started the scoring with the intelligence to spot the space coupled with the skill to control the random bouncing of a rugby ball with his foot.
Jamie F: 100% accuracy with his kicking today as he showed a cool head under pressure. Coupled with his distribution and tackling an all around excellent display.
Under 15s: Ealing 34 - 10 Welwyn and Verulamians
Under Ealing Trailfinders grandstand a tough game was played out between Ealing and Verulamians with the WVees providing a tough game, particularly in the second half scoring a couple of tries, but unfortunately not able to convert them. The WVs were sporting their new combined kit which was sponsored by Cloisters Designs - thank you Cloisters Designs!!
Under 13s Verulamians v Bishop Stortford B 17 - 1
The U13 Vees hosted an 11 player Bishop Stortford B on Sunday in Vees 3rd league match of the season. The match was played 10 aside in chilly conditions. A pumped up Vees team started the way they meant to go on when Max T caught the ball from the kick off and ran straight through the Bishop Stortford team to open the scoring. This was a sign of things to come as Vees continued to score tries to pull 5-0 ahead. However, Bishop Stortford made a spirited comeback, driving forward over multiple phases of play, with some strong rucking to score in the corner towards the end of the 1st quarter. This served to fire up the Vees team who demonstrated their ability to secure the ball in well drilled rucking and phenomenal strength in counter rucking, repeatedly turning possession over and preventing Bishop Stortford string together phases of play. In particular Tom V put in a spectacular performance in his debut for Vees, with superb rucking, running off the break down and was very unlucky not to score. Vees continued to capitalise on their possession and went into half time 9-1 ahead. In the second half Vees defence continued to thwart a determined Bishop Stortford side with ferocious tackling, especially Seb, who put in the tackle of the match knocking his opposite number back several metres. Jayden, playing his first match for Vees, was relentless and fearless in his tackling, making life very difficult for the opposition. Bishop Stortford did make an incredibly promising break up the wing, but Boris covered across and put in a phenomenal tackle into touch, curbing the Bishop Stortford attack and returning possession to Vees. Harry B scored his first try for Vees having joined this season, in a stunning piece of individual skill and speed, taking quick ball from the ruck and outpacing the Bishop Storford team as he sprinted from his own 22. Paddy, at second row, scored a terrific try, plucking the ball out of the air and using his strength to drive over the line. Another new player this season, Oscar, playing in the front row, ran the ball over the line, beating numerous defenders with his well-balanced elusive running. Harry P and Archie, also front row, added to the Vees try tally. In attack, Vees played beautiful expansive rugby, bringing the whole team into slick passing moves, spreading the ball wide and recycling quick ball in the rucks. The entire Vees team were incredibly selfless, setting one another up to score and we saw 4 players score their first try of the season for Vees. The final move of the match was a Vees try which resulted from perfectly executed passing down the line to the wing and scoring in the corner. The final score was 17-1 with tries from: Gethin, Boris, Seb, Paddy, Harry B, Harry P, Oscar, Archie, Henry, Bodie and Max.