Windsor U15's V Ruislip
30th January 2005by Dr FT Bosh (with Peter Eccles)
The listing was posted by
Windsor ruck good ball (pic Peter Lewis)
This Sunday the Windsor U15’s came up against old rivals Ruislip. Always strong, Windsor were hoping that this year they could beat the visitors, but it was not to be. In an exciting and compelling game, Ruislip won 13 – 0. But Windsor are narrowing the gap between themselves and the Middlesex side.
The wise heads on the touchline were debating the last time that the U15’s were able to put out a full strength squad, but the conversation fizzled out as they realized that none of them can actually remember that far back. It is a measure of how serious the injury problem has been that Head Coach Clive Lewis felt he was putting out a strong side because only Caspar Hughes, Sam Turner, David Lisk, Tom Bouch and Tom Newman were missing from it, but Windsor has strength of spirit in depth, as well as ability and the side that came out on Sunday gave Ruislip a real contest.
The early stages of the game were very even. There was huge commitment from both sides and the Windsor three quarters had to tackle well to break up the early Ruislip attacks. In the counter attacks the Windsor forwards made good use of their possession with Ed Clemance and Shiv Khara punching holes into the channels adjacent to the Ruislip scrum. As Windsor began to gather a little momentum, Ruislip’s defence became more compact and scrum half Andy Pedder used his boot, to move his players up field. Centre Ross Cumplen made good use of possession with several of his trademark searing runs, but unable to get over the try line, often found himself isolated.
At half time it was 0 – 0 and looking more and more that, who ever scored first would be likely to hold on to that lead and win. Neither side dominated, though both looked able to break away if the opportunity arose, but, when doing so, always came up against organized and resolute defence. Windsor’s fly half Jonny Whitehead began to make space for himself and exploited the gaps well. Linking with second row Baldeep Sahota Windsor continually threatened the Ruislip try line, but just couldn’t get through the visitors stubborn and organized defence.
In the end it was Ruislip that made the break through. Consistent and well supported pressure brought the result they wanted as their forwards crashed through for a score late in the second half. Followed shortly afterwards by a well taken penalty to make it 8 – 0. Windsor continued to fight valiantly, but, so close to full time, the edge was taken off their game and Ruislip scored again, right at the death.
Ruislip U15’s have only lost 1 match this season and are clearly a force to be reckoned with. The Windsor side played with courage, commitment and flair and on another day things may have gone differently.
Hooker Shiv Khara was made Man of the Match and Windsor can look forward to their match against Wasps with a little glow of pride and self belief in their collective chests.
RESULT
Windsor 0 - Ruislip 13