Worcester Wild Ones U11 draw with Droitwich
Mar
Worcester Wild Ones under 11sA 7 pts Droitwich under 11sA 14
pts Wild Ones Under11sB 14 pts Droitwich under 11sB 7 pts
Worcester Wild Ones under 11s hosted Droitwich on Sunday, and both clubs
contrived to produce entertaining games, and quality Rugby. The Wild
Ones forwards were particularly efficient in the first A team game,
winning a glut of quality ball. But the backs, trying to play expansive
Rugby in terrible conditions, did not make best use of the ball
available. The muddy ball made handling difficult, and the cold wind
only made playing conditions worse. The Droitwich fly half kicked very
intelligently, and when his forwards did supply ball to him, he quickly
put the pressure back on the Wild Ones. As it happened Droitwichs first
try came from a dropped pass in midfield, whetreupon the Droitwich
winger hacked the ball over the Worcester line, and won the race to the
line. Just before half time, quick ball gave the Droitwich centre Dion,
time and space to use his gas to outsprint the covering defence to score
in the corner. The Wild Ones galvanised themselves at half time, and
again exerted enormous pressure on the Droitwich forwards, consistantly
winning turnover ball, particularly in the rucks. Eventually Will Shaw
crashed over to reduce the deficit. With the the pace of the game
increasing, Worcester attacked at every opportunity. George Wooton
attacked the blind side of a scrum, and released Willem Stanley, with a
one on one with the full back, the try line was beckoning, but a fine
tackle stopped the seemingly certain try, and Droitwich sealed their
win. Both teams played very well, with bags of commitment, and a high
skill level.
The Worcester B team played with an added vigour which had been missing
in earlier weeks, and produced a workmanlike courageous performance. As
with the A team, the forwards were aggressive and physical, winning good
ball for their backs. With the pitch now in an even worse state,
handling proved to be difficult, and for once a kick and chase game may
have been better. The Wild Ones took the lead when after a succession of
rucks close to the Droitwich line prop Jack Portman stormed over the
whitewash from 2 metres. Worcester played the rest of the half with the
lions share of the ball, but could not add to the scoreboard. The second
half saw Droitwich take the initiative, and they enjoyed a period of
possession which ended up with them being rewarded with a try from their
second row. With the boys on both sides straining in the mud, whereupon
both sides were struggling with tired legs, Worcester managed to camp on
the Droitwich line for the last couple of minutes. With time running
out, the Wild Ones forced an attacking 5 metre scrum. Callum Hadden
picked up, and his pace saw him touch down to seal a well deserved , and
confidence boosting victory for the B squad. The A and B team will be
tested hard again next week when they visit Ledbury, who are also a fine
junior team.
