Windsor V Union Rugby Capitolina
3rd April 2005by Dr FT Bosh
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Russell Chester breaks away, with Josh Casey in support
A beautiful sunny day awaited the Windsor U13’s as they arrived at the URC ground for their first, full International match. URC had shown themselves to be tough opponents in yesterday’s short match tournament and the growing crowd eagerly awaited the contest between Berkshire’s U13 League Runners up and Italy’s Southern Area Regional Champions.
Windsor augmented their pre-match preparation with forwards coach Adam Williams putting the players through an unusual, changing room based, motivational, activity. Whatever it involved, the boys burst from the changing rooms looking glad to be out in the open air and ready to play.
There was one minutes silence in acknowledgement of Pope John Paul II’s death and then the game started. Windsor were minus Max Wilson and Joel Turner, both injured in yesterday’s games.
URC kicked to Windsor and second row Alex Moody took the ball back into the URC forwards, tackled well the ball was recycled and Russ Chester broke into the left wing channel. His powerful and direct run was ended with a solid tackle by the URC full back, Windsor were slow to the break down and the URC forwards recycled the ball. Setting their powerful right wing into space, he ran most of the length of the field to score an unconverted try.
Windsor were not put off and the forwards chased hard after the restart kick. A period of URC three-quarter pressure saw “move breaking” tackles from Connor Sawdon and Josh Casey in the centre. Turning the ball over, Will Everett was given a chance to show his skills on the right wing. The forwards supported him as he was tackled and Windsor started to look ominous as they drove the ball on. However URC mauled the ball away and began a three-quarter counter attack of their own. Committing fewer forwards to the break down than Windsor and recycling the ball quickly, they kept the momentum going and continually had overlaps out wide. On the third phase of cross field, back passing moves, the mobile URC Number 8 had no one left to beat and ran in under the posts for a converted score.
Windsor ignored the conversion, huddled quickly and came up with an alternative game plan. The ball was reclaimed shortly after the restart and it became evident that Windsor were going to keep the ball with the forwards. URC defended well and progress was slow, but it was definitely progress. As Windsor momentum was established, runners hung off the loose and pop passes to them hammered into the URC guards. Alex Moody was the first to break through and made 10 yards before being tackled. The ball was recycled to second row Jack Clemance and he powered in for a score, well converted by full back Chris Laidler.
Windsor continued to keep the pressure on by utilising forward drives as the main weapon. URC continued to tackle well, but also continued to concede ground. Providing Windsor could recycle, it looked as if they could play like this all day. However URC were getting used to the tactic and began to focus more on the ball, rather than the man. If the ball went to ground, URC were normally first to it. Alex Devereux and Rohan Dhaliwal saved Windsor turnovers on several occasions by diving on to the loose ball before the URC forwards could get to it, but finally URC got the ball back. Not surprisingly it was whipped out to the backs and almost inevitably it went to the big URC wing. He skirted around his tackler and headed for the Windsor try line. There is something about a touring side that can not give up, you have burnt your boats and are there for the duration. Casey angled his run across field, aiming to intercept the URC player before he scored. The impact came just inside the Windsor 22 and Casey made sure of his man. The tackle raised everyone’s morale even higher and Windsor flew back at URC. In attempting to break up a rolling maul in their own 22, the URC forwards gave up a penalty and Laidler calmly slotted it over.
Russell Chester was once again the rapier, working in tandem with the pack’s blunt instrument. An incisive break gave the forwards great field position and they punched home their advantage with Alex Moody bursting through the last line of defence to score an unconverted try.
Windsor were now in front for the first time and just half way through the match.
URC attempted to break up the Windsor forward domination by committing more players to the break down. Shortly afterwards the Windsor three quarters got more of the ball and a beautifully flighted kick from fly half Sam Yeandle gave centre Casey something to chase. Not for the first time this season, his presence intimidated the covering winger and he was able to rip the ball away and continue on his way. The tireless URC full back tracked him all the way and his tackle forced the knock on over the line. Windsor kept coming and Jack Williams was later, adjudged to be held up over the line.
But URC continued to counter attack whenever they got the chance and always looked dangerous. It was only strong and determined tackling from every Windsor player who was called upon to do so, that kept URC at bay.
By this stage Windsor had made nine substitutions, all the tourists wanted to play and play they did. It can be difficult to come into an intense game with the same level of passion as those who have been in it from the start. But all the Windsor players were fired up and there was none of the usual period of adjustment.
Windsor continued to press and it was Laidler who had the next big break. Taking a short pass from Connor Sawdon he broke through the line and into the URC 22. As he timed his pop pass to Chester he was tackled hard by the ubiquitous, URC full back. Falling heavily it looked as if he must come off, but determined to carry on, he dusted him self down and returned to his position.
A poor clearance kick from the pressurised URC defence went straight to Casey. Casey chose route 1 back, then angled his run away from the defence and into the corner for an unconverted try.
With less than ten minutes left, both sides played hugely committed rugby. Windsor seemed to have the upper hand, but the URC three-quarters were always a threat. As Windsor pressed again a kick over the top was slightly under hit and the URC centre was able to retrieve it with space to run in. The Windsor following line was slightly staggered and this was all the invitation needed. Powerful and well balanced he carved his way though the Windsor lines and scored under the posts to put URC back with in 1 point of Windsor.
Laidler restarted to the side away from the forwards and Casey charged onto the loose ball, reclaiming it, he made 20 yards before being tackled into touch by the fullback. URC won the line out and were able to clear their lines. Further up the field URC repossessed the ball and started to apply pressure to the Windsor defence. Strong tackles and hard work in covering for each other kept Windsor alive. Time and again it seemed that the URC three-quarters must break free, but they were held back by a swarming Windsor defence. With time running out Windsor salvaged some scrappy ball and Laidler booted the ball upfield and away from danger. Casey, as ever, followed up and got the “luck” of the bounce. As he went to pounce on the ball he was held back. From the resulting penalty Sam Jordan made a half break upfield and Windsor were on the move. A scissors move with Casey flat footed the URC defence and Casey’s miss pass to Chester gave the Windsor winger space and momentum. He was tackled well, deep in the URC 22, but his off load went to supporting second row Alex Moody who powered in to score the last and unconverted try of the day.
The final whistle went shortly afterwards and Windsor had won a truly inspiring game of rugby.
RESULT
Windsor 25 - URC 19
Scorers:
Trys: Clemance, Moody (2), Casey,
Conversions: Laidler
Penalty: Laidler