1st Match of Season for U14's: Quins V Reeds Weybridge

This was not a good day to be a Back... Ball like a bar of soap, monsoon conditions making visibility very limited and a chill freezing the fingers just as you needed to catch the ball...
Today was a game played in the forward pack and, unfortunately for us, Reeds Weybridge just had 1 or 2 bigger, faster, stronger ball carriers able to break through the tackle and race away. 7 tries to 2 (sorry my cold fingers pressed the wrong button and the score was recorded as 39-15... not 10) was probably not a fair reflection of the game as our pack put in a prodigious shift at the breakdown and around the field but were just not able to contain the opposition no.8, who was outstanding and I think nabbed four of their tries.
The game was played in great spirit by both teams in atrocious conditions and a special mention must go to George for refereeing his first full match under very trying conditions - thank you very much. You did a great job.
The front row of Elliot, Daniel and Mikey worked tirelessly all game (we had no subs, so they had to!) the engine room of Charlie and Thomas kept the scrum straight and dominant (on most engagements) and Henry, James and Theo (our converted winger to flanker...) tackled the opposition bravely throughout and made some good penetrating runs into the heart of their pack.
Ben played his 1st full game at Scrum Half but in these conditions (and with a very abrasive opposition scrummy) it was never going to be easy delivering quick, accurate ball to the backs; this was up the jumper weather...
Cal, Josh and Jack had a torrid time but what ball they got they tried to make the most of and when they ran at the oppo with ball in hand were definitely the dominant trio. Unfortunately for our back three of Oscar, Seb and debutant Freddie they really did not see much ball in hand at all but they did see a lot of Reeds much larger back row running down their channels...
The boys gave their all and with just a little more composure this match could have been a lot closer. However it was a good first outing of the season and we look forward to the squad getting back together for training in 2 weeks (Half term hols next Sunday) before our next match against Hillingdon on the 4th November.
Man of the Match: James Hall, for his hugely impressive tackle count and willingness to run with ball in hand all game. Special mention also for Daniel Kehoe for displaying the sort of Dog that every player should have to keep playing regardless of score and opposition size and strength.