Malvern U13s at Luctonians 27/03/11
Mar
Luctonians U13 B - 12
Malvern Bucks U13 - 12
In a tense and full throttle game the Bucks demonstrated how far they have developed this season. Luctonians opened strongly and made good headway towards the Bucks line. Some resolute defending eventually spilled a penalty for the visitors and they used it well to release Harcombe for a break that almost led to the first try. Having just failed to ground the ball, Bucks were pushed back from the five yard scrum and Luctonians went back on the offensive.
Excellent tackles and fierce rucking from the Bucks lighter pack made life difficult for Luctonians but the first try eventually went to the home side as they used their size advantage to get the ball over. Having been forced wide to score the try the Luctonians conversion was missed.
To keep in the game, the visitors needed to make the next score. Harcombe took advantage of the space created by a fearsome Bucks forward offensive to run the ball for fifty yards and score under the posts. A simple conversion gave them the lead at the end of the first half.
The second half started with a Richardson assisted Capener try for the Bucks and with a well earned and convincing lead they spent most of the second half making their tackles, rucking and getting the ball through hands quickly in as good a performance as you will see from any development squad this season.
Having had the game under control for so long it was unfortunate that Luctonians were able to equalise from a break very near the final whistle. With little time left it was the Bucks who found the extra gear to press for the winning score but they were just held up on the right wing.
Luctonians U13 A - 17
Malvern Stags U13 - 31
A cup final loss to Luctonians earlier in the month gave the Stags an extra incentive to prove a point in this full length game. Luctonians used their size advantage in the forwards to create the first points breakthrough after an early Stags attack was just held up. It was the pace of Whiteman that created the first Stags try with a fifty yard dash around the left wing that Batty duly converted.
These early exchanges set the pattern of the game as Luctonians used their forward dominance to grind out points while the Stags played an expansive game with their forwards working hard to release the ball early. Whiteman added his second try before the end of the half and Luctonians equalised with another irresistible forward drive and scramble for the line.
The second half started with a Stags try through newcomer Robinson after a series of great pick and run moves from the pack. Having been stretched by the Luctonians forwards for most of the game, this try was the start of a period of excellent Stags domination. Curtis rewarded the Stags pack with a try after a terrific scramble through traffic and the whole team stepped up their game to make life difficult for Luctonians all over the field.
An excellent game finished with an unconverted try from Luctonians as the work rate started to tell on the Stags but they countered with a third Whiteman try to end as deserved winners.
