Report written by Ralph Eley
The U15s first match after the Christmas period showed early evidence of too much turkey but soon became a fine game of flowing rugby. We had been joined for the morning by Oscar, a prop from the other side of the world – a Kiwi who is more often seen playing for Christchurch.
The game started off in true U15 Scottish fashion as Farnham Bs kicked a high ball to start and two Scottish players watched as it fell to earth deep in our territory without much attempt to take it. A converted try almost immediately followed: 7 points to Farnham Bs. Usual U15 start.
From the restart Scottish seemed slowly to come to life but again play ended up in Scottish territory. However, a very good kick from Chris put the ball well into Farnham territory. As the ball came to earth the Farnham winger seemed well positioned to take the high ball. Ben F made an astounding run to jump and steal the ball and followed this with an unchallenged run to score right beneath the posts. Try converted by Chris to take the score to 7-7. Ben F followed within minutes with another breakaway try under the posts converted by Chris: 14-7 to Scottish.
The first third continued with Farnham fighting back, very strong in the ruck and winning the turnover ball as the Scottish forwards were slow in. Scottish were called to defend in their 22 as the first third came towards an end. Suddenly turnover ball to the Scots and Nathaniel launched to score our third breakaway try under the posts. As with the first two tries the third try of the period was converted by Chris who was having a great morning with the boot: 21-7 to Scottish.
The second third started as the first had ended with an unconverted try to Ben F. 26-7 to Scottish. Hat trick! However the game soon settled into a battle of the forwards. Farnham were good at spotting holes in our back line and took advantage forcing Scottish to defend deep in their own territory. Still strong in the ruck, Scottish were now working hard but it paid off. Great tackles from Ollie, Jacob, Barns and Max followed. Slowly the Scots moved towards the Farnham line. A superb offload from Sam LF saw Jacob break through three defenders. Although brought to ground a long stretch of the arm over the try line saw another 5 points on the board 31-7. However, Farnham were not done playing, they went through the phases and scored two unconverted tries to close out the second third 31-17.
Into the final third and Farnham B were not done coming back quickly with a converted try early on. 31-24 to Scottish was the score now. Just one score in it. But Scottish weren’t done working the phases up the pitch. Pick and go runs from Timmy and Max kept the pressure on. Oscar our guest player and Ben L made some fine runs making 5-10 metres each time. Scrum half Barns, back from injury, followed up with a great sniping run from the back of the scrum. Barns brought to ground but the Scots recycled and three phases later the ball was back in Barns’ hands and he side stepped and jigged to score a try under the posts duly converted by Chris. 38-24 to Scottish. But Farnham again came back and the Scots were soon back in their own half. A long fight up the pitch by the Scots ended with a Scottish lineout 8 metres from the try line. Ted took the ball from the lineout into a rolling maul grounded over the try line by Jacob.
Final whistle 43 -24 to Scottish and all signs of the Christmas turkey were well and truly behind the U15s.
