The Season so far
Matches Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | Tries for | Tries Against |
18 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 52 | 48 |
Nottingham Moderns RFC
V
Southwell RFC
Sunday 14th December 2008
Please note match reports may be only be a vague representation of what actually happened - it's all down to age and memory!
Overview
Moderns took the field determined to put in a better performance than they did last week at West Bridgford. Our opponents, Southwell RFC however were a force to be reckoned with having performed very well at the NLD Qualifiers last month.
Game 1 (Under 10's) Moderns RFC 0 Southwell RFC 25
The game began with both sides determined to play good rugby and much of the first half was an evenly fought affair. Sam 'Birthday Boy' Staples had a great chance denied by solid tackling from Southwell. Moderns were immediately on the offensive again, the forwards driving on when a Southwell forward burst from the maul and raced over the line to break the deadlock. With Southwell determined to ruck and maukl their way up the field the Moderns forwards competed well to limit any progress but slow ball did not allow us to unleash our backs to any great extent. Injuries to Sam Staples, Jamie Sutherland and Josh Bond meant all had to leave the field (Suspiciously they all recovered well enough to go to Sam's party - RFU informed and all will be cake, jelly and fizzy pop tested before the next game).
Hald time Moderns - 0 Southwell 5
In the half time talk Moderns were exhorted to move the ball as we were dominating possession. However, it was Southwell who took this advice to heart in ther second period and played a great blend of flowing rugby that stretched the Moderns defence. Despite heroic tackling from Alan Avery who played a blinder Southwell ran in four unanswered tries. A disappointing result from Moderns point of view but a pleasure for rugby fans to watch and a lesson to our lads in how to vary tactics and play the ball into space.
Final score Moderns - 0 Southwell - 25
Man of the match – Alan Avery – Tackle MONSTER
Game 2 (Under 9 & 10 Combo) Moderns 25 Southwell 0
Both teams reshuffled to include all of the Under 9's and a few under 10's to make up the numbers. Max Mann captained the team as Moderns took the field for the second game. Early pressure from Moderns showed just how determined they were to make amends for the first match as they began a series of determined attacks saw the ball moved to great effect. A great run by Noah de Sousa followed by a dazzling sprint by Ben Winfield led to the opening try by Fraser Beresford. Southwell came right back from the restart and it was only due to Alan Avery's tackling masterclass that they did not equalise.
First half score Moderns - 5 Southwell - 0
The second half was played in a similar vein but Moderns managed to maintain a slight edge over their opponents. Trememdous tackling, rucking and mauling by Sam Hathaway secured good ball that was passed to Noah who jinked over the line to score. From the restart the ball was won by Moderns who moved the ball through numerous hands before Ben Winfield sprinted, ducked, dived, dodged and danced his way up, across and back across the pitch before scoring to increase Moderns lead. More pressure from Moderns again found Ben in space, a sprint for the line secured his second try of the game. almost immediatley afterwards William Herborn recieved the ball on the wing, sidestepped his opposite number and raced for the line, only a desperate (and very good) tackle denied him. He laid the ball back in textbook fashion, Moderns rucked over, the ball was picked up, the try line beckoned but sadly so did touch as Moderns attempted to round the last defender. The last few minutes however were Southwell's as they battered the Moderns line. Stirling work by the forwards, solid tackling by the backs and an unbelievable series of tackles by Alan Avery (six or seven tackles in a row that almost single handedly forced Southwell 15 meteres back down the field) managed to keep the determined and very skillful Southwell team at bay.
Man of the match Ben (I'm here, I'm there, I'm everywhere) Winfield
All in all a much better performance than last week, both matches were played in great spirit, were well contested and wonderfully supported by both sets of parents. If we can compete with teams like Southwell I feel we are heading in the right direction. They are a team with a good deal of skill, determination and also play the game the way it should be played.
