Windsor RFC U14’s V The Dukes Club - S- Hertogenbosch
16th April 2004by Niall Turner
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Windsor U14's - outside the club house at The Dukes
For the first fixture of their first European tour, the Windsor U14’s travelled to The Dukes Club in S–Hertogenbosch in Holland’s hinterland. As the coach pulled into the ground few could have anticipated the amazing spectacle that was to unfold. Early speculation about the young men in red and yellow shirts, having kicking practice on the pitch, was that they were the Colts side using the pre match spare time to hone their skills. However, after meeting and greeting the Dukes head coach, it became clear that, due to an administration error and a lack of players, the young men on the field were the intended opposition. Following an agreed negotiation that no 17 year old players be allowed to play against our U14’s, the Dukes side was reduced to 14 players of “varying ages”. There was, with no doubt, a year for year and pound for pound advantage to the Dutch side and as the two sides formed up opposite each other, it was no place for a faint hearted Windsor parent.
As Windsor intended to play all 22 of their touring players the game was divided into 3, twenty minute, thirds. The Dukes kicked to Windsor and both sides started slowly. It seemed that the older Dukes players were playing with in themselves and the Windsor boys were going about their business circumspectly as if they did not want to wake a sleeping giant.
Rugby can not be played in this way for long, something would give. After 5 minutes of gentle too-ing and fro-ing the Dukes centre decided that it was time to score. He stood deeper and took the ball at pace in order to crash through the Windsor three quarter line. His plan was executed perfectly, but he under estimated his opposite number. Ross Cumplen’s full square, crunching tackle put him on his backside and the intensity of the game was instantly raised several notches. The next Dukes’ possession saw the ball spun to their winger and it was Sam Turner’s turn to stand up and be counted. Disregarding his opposite number’s stutter step and change of pace the Windsor winger applied shoulder to rib cage and drove him into touch.
The gloves came off and the Dukes’ players set about their game at full bore. However Windsor responded in kind. In the forwards Caspar Hughes, Ed Clemance and David Lisk wrapped up attack after attack with bone jarring tackles and The Dukes could find no way through. With Laurence Alder and Harvey Payne ready to pounce on anything loose, Windsor soon started to gain possession, whilst initially, this was squandered with some ill advised kicking, the game was evenly balanced.
Windsor made 7 substitutions at the end of the first third and this disrupted their defensive continuity. The new players had been inspired by their team-mates efforts and also came out all guns blazing, but the organisation was not quite as effective and the Dukes got an early breakaway try. It only served to raise the intensity of Windsor’s desire and when a Sam Phillips breakaway run was supported by Jamie Fleming into the Dukes 22, an eight man Windsor driving maul crossed the Dukes try line, only to knock the ball on when trying to ground it. The resultant clearance kick went straight to Sam Turner who powered back towards the Dukes try line. Tackled strongly into touch, the game continued at a furious pace.
Windsor full back Tom Bouch came into the line and created over laps for winger Luke Carter. Carter beat his opposite number on three occasions, only to be pulled down by the covering Dukes full back. The last 6 minutes of this third went badly for Windsor. The Dukes players were using every ounce and every day of their advantage and the Windsor players did not flinch in their resolve to counter it. Sam Turner had to limp off following a tackle on the big Dukes centre, Ross Cumplen followed shortly after with a worrying neck injury and Andy Pedder was left concussed after a particularly valiant defensive tackle. The Dukes also scored three tries by utilising some positional mismatches.
Into the last third and, in the words of The Bard – “Windsor were up for it”. Mark Williams made his presence felt in the forwards supporting every drive and slowing up any attacker who came in his range. Richie Eccles made darting, penetrating runs in the backs and was comfortably in charge of his opposite number. George Christie, coming in at scrum half, linked well with fly half Jonny Whitehead and whilst the Dukes were playing with the same passion as earlier, they began to give ground. With minutes remaining Ed Clemance picked up another Micky Welch clean strike and thundered into the Dukes’ flankers. The ball was recycled and Jonny Whitehead looped round the three quarters, to pick up the move he started, he deftly side stepped the opposite winger and scored The Windsor 2004 U14 squad’s first European try. This was converted by Tom Bouch and, far from being a consolation try, was the culmination of one hours incredible determination and passion from the Windsor boys. The full time whistle went shortly afterwards and Windsor could count the cost. Three players out, one converted try and an incalculable increase in pride and respect.
In the club house afterwards Mark Williams was awarded Man of the Match and the Windsor Tourists, boys and adults alike, could reflect on the joys of touring. The Dukes club were impeccable hosts and the celebrations were long and mighty.
Result – Windsor 7 – Dukes Club 26
Windsor Scorers: Tries: Whitehead
Conversions: Bouch