Match Report from Mini Tournament 04th October 2009

Our thanks goes to Long Buckby, Market Harborough and Stewart & Lloyds for what promised to be a good day.

Team: C Jackson, O Palmer, L Flynn, H Phillips, H Overton, M Bailey, W Boyall, J Watts, M Pettifer
Coach: S Chaperon

The first game saw Market Harborough against Long Buckby. Although Harborough were leading 2 tries to 1 at half time, the eventual winners were Long Buckby by 3 tries to 2.

Second on was our first game and against Stewart and Lloyds. With a few nervous looking parents and me of course! on the side line, the game kicked off. Well the nerves soon passed with M Bailey making the first tackle of the game closely followed by C Jackson who picked up the ball and ran in for our first try. Next came an excellent run up the pitch straight through the tackles for a try by H Phillips. A try saving tackle came in from L Flynn. C Jackson put in an excellent pass to M Bailey who was over for the try. Next we saw another try saving tackle this time from C Jackson. The ball was picked up by L Flynn who ran the length of the pitch for our next try. This saw us winning 4 nil at the end of the first half with some excellent team work and tackles from the team. We could all relax a little now!
The second half saw some great work on the floor from J Watts and H Overton to scavenge the ball back on our side and with a pass to M Bailey, he was over for a try. Good team work! A pick up off the floor and a long run saw C Jackson in for another one! Finally, with some more good work on the floor from W Boyall and a pass to L Flynn, a long run up the pitch saw us score our final try and our first win 7 tries to nil. Well done all!!

Third up was Stewart & Lloyds v Market Harborough which saw Harborough win 8 tries to nil.

Next was us again and the match was greeted with great excitement and anticipation. We were against Long Buckby who had also won their first game. An early tackle saw O Palmer push his opponent into touch to save a try. Next the opposition out in a great run and excellent side step which saw them over for their first try. Good work on the floor was seen by O Palmer with a breakaway run by L Flynn who was tackled near the line. Another good run from W Boyall saw us frustrated as we couldn't get over the line. Half time saw us down 1 try to nil having showed some excellent defence work.
A quick drink and chat with the coach and we're back on. Some good passing from C Jackson and a great run from H Phillips saw us close only to be tackled and lose the ball. A pick up and run saw them score another. We fought back well and following a scrum and a great pick up form the floor and run by J Watts he was over for the try. Things were tense and the boys a little weary which saw us concede 2 more tries to end the match losing 4 tries to 1. A great defensive effort was shown by all.

The last match for the undefeated Long Buckby saw them beat Stewart and Lloyds and remained undefeated for the day.

Last match up saw us against Market Harborough who had also played 2 and won 1. Almost from the kick off, the ball was in H Phillips hand as the wave parted and he ran straight through for our first try. Another tackle out on the wing saw L Flynn push them into touch and earn us a line out. A great take saw H Phillips over again for our second try. A moment of lack of concentration saw our tired boys miss a couple of tackles and let them in for a try. A straight fight back saw W Boyall pass to H Phillips who was over again for his hat trick! This saw us up 3 tries to 1 at half time and looking good.
A scrum and some good work by J Watts and O Palmer saw us with the ball and we were over for our fourth try. Unfortunately, we let them get another 3 passed us which saw it 4 all with the last play of the game. The start was theirs and with a great pass, they were heading up the edge of the pitch looking good to score. Some excellent cover work saw L Flynn tackle their player into touch and the draw was saved. Another good effort from some very tired and bruised legs.

All in all, an excellent day which showed some real effort and promise from the team. Work is ongoing to recruit few more players which should ease the burden. To echo the comments of the coach, it was an excellent effort from the team and looks good for next week's visit to Oadby Wyggs and for the season to come.

Well done everyone!!