Redingensians 7 London Scottish 29 The aim of the 2010-11 season for the Scottish U16s is to win the Herts-Middlesex Division 2 and gain promotion to Division 1. The first match of the new season was a tricky away fixture at Redingensians, one of Berkshire’s better youth sides.
several new players in the squad, quickly started to gain control of the ball. Early forays into opposition territory were thwarted but only for around 8 minutes. The scrum had already showed total dominance, so when a penalty was awarded deep in the Redingensian half, a scrum was duly taken. The ball was driven blind and the forwards then piled on the pressure through four more phases before Scott went over for the first score of the season.
Four minutes later the dominant Scottish pack stole a scrum against the head. A quick release to the backs and then good support from the forwards allowed Louis to sprint home for a score under the posts. Kieran converted for a 0-12 lead.
Redingensians then put some pressure on the Scottish team, but this was relieved with a deep clearing kick from Adam that pushed the opposition back into their own 22. A line-out turnover and another good drive from the forwards allowed the ball to be released to the backs. Slick handling put Buzz in for another 7-point score.
The next score took a while to arrive but Scottish remained dominant throughout the half. On 32 minutes a lost lineout on the Redingensian 10m line looked to hand the initiative to the opposition. However, Guy rescued the ball and linked with his back-row to release Kieran for the final score of the half.
Half-time: 0-24.
The second-half was a much scrappier affair with both sides struggling to control possession. Again Scottish dominated the territory, through being the more aggressive side. But it was Redingensians that scored first after 4 minutes of play. A lost lineout allowed the opposition to drive the ball through the forwards into the scoring zone and a final thrust gave them a well-deserved score. 7-24.
Another scrum against the head allowed Scottish to come back and after 9 minutes of the half, Jake released Josh who fed Guy for a sprint down the line and a fifth try wide out on the left. 7-29 to Scottish.
This was the final score of the half and the game was played out with both sides really struggling to gain the upper hand. Scottish still looked the more likely to score but were unable to convert a number of chances.
A super chilli-con-carne finished off a good trip to Reading. Well done to Hashmat for allowing the opposition to win the boat-race, and well done to him, Levi, Sami, Jack and Will for encouraging performances in their first full outings for the team.
A solid start to the season and it is great to know that the team has much on which it can improve. Most encouraging was the dominance of the front-five who continually obliterated their opposite numbers. The scrum especially looks like being a potent weapon this season. The coaches look forward to seeing the team reaching their potential as undoubtedly continuity of play will improve as the season progresses.
Team: Munro Third; Hashmat Ullah; Louis Keen; Scott Holloway; Tom Henderson; Adam Ferguson; Guy Luscombe; Declan McPate; Jake Birrell; Ryan Flannery; Mitchell Rogers; Kieran Morgan; Buz Shabani; Keith Reddy; Levi McDonald; Sami Cozal; Jack McDonnell; Josh Carter; Robert Akinrinmade; Will Burles.
