Berkshire U16s 26 – 7 Oxfordshire U16s
1st November 2009by Berks RFU
The listing was posted by Berkshire County RFU - County Youth
Berkshire U16s kicked off their three South–West divisional trial games with an emphatic 26 points to 7 victory over their near neighbours Oxfordshire in the palatial surroundings of Stowe School on Sunday. Berkshire put two years of disappointment behind them to record a first ever age group win. But as ever, their coach has advised them the win is nice but not important, playing good rugby is more important, which they did for many parts of the game, but need to concentrate more to extend their capabilities.
Although the early morning monsoon conditions had abated by the twelve thirty kick off, the game was played in a strong wind, which had a huge impact on the game.
Berkshire choose the disadvantage of playing into the gale force conditions in the first half but a superb performance by the pack, along with some speedy and incisive running ensured that the visitors took a 14-0 first half lead. The Berkshire front row completely dominated their Oxfordshire opponents and it was no surprise when prop forward Charlie Skipworth-Button made a fine surging run before releasing Sam McGuire on the left. Although his run was stopped short of the line, a quick recycled ball resulted in Greg Heath scoring under the posts. Peter Allan added the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
A number of the Berkshire players will have caught the selectors eye throughout the game, none more so than skipper Ed Hoadley whose dynamic performance at scrum half was at the hub of most of Berkshire’s attacking options and it was a piece of his quick thinking with a tap penalty that eventually released Seb Moseley on the right, and the powerful Windsor winger raced through to score with Peter Allan again adding the conversion.
Berkshire will have looked back on the first half’s performance with great pleasure, particularly in view of the conditions and it was no surprise that they added two quick scores after the break with the wind at their backs. Firstly, a well worked short line out throw in resulted in Charlie Skipworth-Button surging over to make the score 19-0; The conversion was difficult in the windy conditions so it wasn’t surprising the kick didn’t make it. Straight from the kick off, powerful no 8 Seb Coric, who was a constant thorn in the Oxfordshire side, caught and drove forward eventually releasing George Rigby who made an outstanding break before sending Sam McGuire free on the left for him to run in again under the posts for Peter Allan to add the conversion.
At this point it looked as if Berkshire would win by a landslide. However, having gone 26 nil down Oxfordshire raised their game and the Berkshire pack lost their domination of the first half. This loss of dominance, coupled with some poor decisionmaking, loss of composure and indiscipline resulted in the visitors being unable to capitalise on their lead. Despite some resolute and classical defending from Berkshire it was no surprise when Oxfordshire scored a deserved consolation try near the end having spent most of the last 20 minutes camped in the Berkshire half.
However, this was an outstanding win for an age group which at last showed an ability to turn dominance upfront into victory and bodes well for the further divisional games in the weeks ahead.
