Windsor U17's v Milton Keynes LEAGUE Decider
22nd February 2009by Dr FT Bosh
The listing was posted by Windsor RFC - Juniors - u17s become colts - Season 08/09
The Squad following an excellent win at MK - Stuart is off chatting with the ref
Before Windsor U17’s can enter the 2009 National Knock Out Competition, the final OBB League placings have to be decided. This meant a trip to Milton Keynes for the return match against this, always motivated, Buckinghamshire side. Their first encounter, earlier in the season, was a hard contested draw at Home Park. This Sunday Windsor put in a team performance that was ultimately too much for the Don’s. Epitomised by skipper Aaron McGroatty’s own performance, the Windsor side won by two tries to nil.
Windsor kicked off and both sides had to contend with a stiff cross wind as well as each other’s commitment. Milton Keynes had the edge in the early exchanges, as well as the benefit of the referees whistle, and Windsor soon found themselves under siege on their own try line. Strong tackling from scrum half Joel Turner twice kept MK forwards out, but every time Windsor cleared their lines an infringement seemed to bring them back to their own 5 yard line. After 20 minutes of constant pressure MK were awarded another penalty and decided to try and batter their way through from 5 yards out. Prop Alex Devereux’s surging tackle broke this move up and flanker Asif Ahmed dived on the loose ball. Windsor’s resolute defence proved to be the foundation from which the rest of the performance grew. The first half continued with Windsor gaining territory back, but handling errors and infringements broke up any consistency. The main threat came from winger Kudsayi Makurumure who made three penetrating runs into the MK half, but the visitors were unable to convert these into points. Before half time both sides had a couple of pots at goal from long range, but the wind made accurate kicking difficult and so there was no score by the break.
In the second half Windsor began to assert themselves. No 8 breaks from Jack Clemance ably supported by the second row of Jack Williams and Suhk Gill moved Windsor up field and tied in the MK defence. Another strong run from Makurumure got Windsor deep into MK’s 22. Joel Turner’s dummy and powerful run from the base of the ruck was stopped just short of the try line, but McGroatty’s consistent hardwork saw him in the perfect position to take the off load and dive over to score.
Windsor were now in the driver’s seat, but the home side continued to fight for dominance. As passions rose the referee felt obliged to go to his cards, but the game was never in any danger of becoming dirty.
In possession.Sam Yeandle varied the plays at fly half and Windsor continued to threaten, but once again basic errors and the referee’s whistle disrupted their momentum and MK were able to counter attack. Strong tackling from all the Windsor defenders kept MK out, but the tackle of the day went to skipper Aaron “The Hitman” McGroatty. MK’s fly half tried to jink through a gap at pace, but stepped into the wrong channel. McGroatty’s exocet inspired, bone shaking tackle lifted him from his feet and there was an audible in take of breath from the crowd, as the follow through took both players thudding into the pitch. As well as halting the MK attack, it also inspired all the Windsor players to raise the intensity of their play.
Charlie “Twinkle Toes” Herd broke through the next maul on his own 10 yd line. Charging upfield he handed off four MK defenders before a lack of oxygen forced the off load. But once again an infringement in the loose gave MK relief from the pressure. At the resulting lineout Jack Williams stole MK ball and the three quarters ran the ball out. A nicely judged grubber kick from centre Chris Laidler saw MK pinned back in their own 22, MK couldn’t clear their lines and an inexorable series of pick and go’s from the Windsor forwards saw McGroatty over for his second score shortly afterwards.
MK came back at Windsor, determined to get something from the game, but tackling from Ahmed, Makurumure and Alex Tindall in the centre was equally determined and held them out. Fittingly, a penalty to Windsor on the halfway line saw McGroatty able to claim the ball and tap it into touch to end the game.
This was a welcome win for the Windsor U17’s. They are hitting some form just as their squad starts to return to full strength. They will feel they have some scores to settle after poor performances earlier in the season and will relish the knock-out nature of the National Competition to come.
Result:
Windsor 10 – Milton Keynes 0
Tries: McGroatty (2)