South feel the pressure

Match report South Leicester v Market Bosworth 9/10/16

The long awaited second match of the season had arrived and again the weather had been kind to us. Lovely sunny conditions, perfect for some running rugby.

Bosworth arrived and looked a tidy outfit. It was a fast start with some furious mauls and rucks from the kick off resulting in the first scrum to Bosworth. They won the ball and spun it wide and put some early pressure on the south defence. We remained calm and Callum managed to clear our lines. South drove forward with Cam making a huge drive into the Bosworth pack. However Bosworth proved their strength when the took play right back into out half and scored a well worked try in the corner.

From restart Bosworth maintained the pressure and it took a last gasp tackle from Sam on the left wing to stop a certain try! Again the Bosworth attack pressed us but Josh on the wing stopped another dangerous attack with a lovely tackle. South rallied and forced play back at Bosworth with Callum making a nice run out wide. We worked our way towards the Bosworth line but were stopped by good Bosworth defence. Then making a forward pass a NFL quarter back would be proud of the Bosworth threes managed to break through and work another score, followed up with a successful conversion making the score 0-12.

South though were still in the match and were continually making hard earned yards in the Bosworth half, hooker Max, working tirelessly in the ruck and mauls and taking a lovely catch from a restart. We won loose ball, recycled to Callum who kicked to their 22". The forwards won some great ball from a number of phases and the pass came to Ollie who drove forward like a hero and scored a well taken try !

5-12 to Bosworth. Conversion missed

This rattled the opposition who responded in kind and scored another try, mainly through some poor defence from South, popped over the kick and made it

5-19 at Half time.

2nd half -

An early scrum led to a knock on and Bosworth putting us under pressure but we soaked it up and totally dominated the next scrum, easily driving the shocked Bosworth pack backwards. Play continued with a lineout and then second phase ball, Luke making a crashing run towards the 10" line. Bosworth though showed they are a good side and stole the ball back, some slick hands and another try slipped through our defence. Good conversion making the score -

5-26 to Bosworth.

Some positional changes came and South continued to battle hard but we lost some shape and Bosworth started to fire on all cylinders. Another converted try came along

5-33,

Quickly followed by another -

5-40

South weren't done though and showed some excellent spirit forcing play into the Bosworth half. The backs worked a beautiful X2 move or is it X1 ?! Popping the ball to Jack on the crash, who sprinted 40 Yards for a score under the posts. Callum made sure with the kick making the score

12-40 to Bosworth.

Bosworth were determined to have the last word though and scored another well worked converted try to make the final score 12-47 to Bosworth.

Lads, the score didn't reflect what a hard fought game it really was. We had lots of territory and possession but lost shape in periods and we all know out tackling left a lot to be desired at times. That said, you never gave up and showed you could score good tries against strong opposition. It was only our second match and we will have the opportunity to turn the tables in December when we play them again. You are a fantastic bunch of players and will win many games this season, believe in yourselves, stay focused, work for each other and work your socks in both training and on match days and you will be successful. We are proud of you all !!

Max Woodford was man of the match today and played a great game. He grafted all the way through, worked tirelessly in the rucks and mauls and his lineout throwing is getting better and better. Well done Max, fantastic !

Huge thanks to Phil Hunt who sponsored the match today !! Top job big man !