Windsor RFC U12’s V Hastings (Tour Match)
24th April 2004by Niall Turner
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Marcus Diamond on the charge
Most of the Windsor mini section were on tour this weekend and over 250 players, coaching staff and supporters descended on Hastings and Bexhill RFC to “warm up” prior to attending the Worthing tournament the next day.
The Hastings and Bexhill ground, overlooking the English channel, is exposed, but on a sunny and calm day like this, is particularly pleasing on the eye. The U12 section had a squad of 19 players, all looking refreshed and eager after a quiet night of touring entertainment on the previous evening.
Hastings kicked off and the ball was soon driven up field by the Windsor forwards. Hastings tackled well to slow the drive up and the ball was passed out to the backs. A strong run from centre Josh Casey set up a maul close to the Hastings try line and, almost inevitably, it was Max Wilson who broke away and dived low through the Hastings defence to score Windsor’s first try, converted by Chris Laidler.
Windsor had started well and not much changed for the duration of the match. Chris Laidler fielded Hasting’s restart kick and returned it with interest. The Hasting’s full back was exposed as he fielded a tricky bouncing ball and was hammered with a thumping tackle from Casey. The ball popped loose and was taken on by centre Richard Ayres, as the maul was set up, the Windsor forwards piled in, drove the maul on and it was prop James Tunnacliffe who got the ball down to score, converted by Laidler.
On Windsor’s next possession scrum half Tobias Lawton got the ball out to his backs and fly half Sam Yeandle’s half break created space for the rest of the line. He laid off a superbly timed pass to Casey and the Windsor centre straightened up his running line and powered through to score, Laidler converted again.
Windsor were to score three more times before the break. The first was from a trademark Chris Laidler blindside break, that he then converted. The second saw Casey taking another direct route through the Hasting’s three quarters and his hat trick came when Sam Yeandle switched to the blind side from a scrum, cut back towards the centre and popped the ball, out of the tackle, to a supporting Casey. Laidler kept his 100% conversion record and Windsor went in at half time 42 – 0 up.
Windsor made some substitutions at half time and came out in the same frame of mind for the second half. Great credit has to go to Hastings, a lesser side would have let their heads drop, but they played the game with great commitment and spirit and put Windsor under some early pressure.
A try saving, covering tackle from winger Alex Mckeith gave possession back to Windsor and the forwards began an inexorable drive towards the Hastings try line. Hard working second row Rohan Dhaliwal and Alex Devereux were much in evidence as the maul moved into the Hastings 22. Then prop Jack Williams peeled off and headed for the line, he was superbly tackled and his off load went to supporting centre Joel Turner, one sidestep later Turner dived over to score and Laidler converted.
Max Wilson added to his tally when he plucked a Hastings lineout ball out of the hands of his opposite number and caught the Hasting’s forwards by surprise as he forced his way through their line and over to score. He was given the opportunity to convert his own try, the description of which will not be found here, suffice to say it was unsuccessful.
Windsor scored once more before the end when a Wilson break was well supported by Jack Williams and the Windsor prop went in for a well deserved score. Joel Turner converted the try.
Hasting’s continued to compete and when their centre took a clever line through the Windsor three quarters it took a try saving tackle from Wilson to ensure that Windsor kept a clean sheet.
This marked the end of the match and both sides retired to the clubhouse to exchange mementos, pleasantries and a drink or two. Our thanks go to Marion Hollingsworth for arranging a Saturday tour fixture and to Hastings and Bexhill RFC for being such excellent hosts.
Result – Windsor 61 – Hastings 0
Windsor Scorers: Tries: Wilson (2), Tunnacliffe, Casey (3), Laidler, Turner, Williams.
Conversions: Laidler (7), Turner.
Click Here to see some of the scorers