U16 - Report
Date: Sunday 11th November 2012 - Kick Off: 13:00
League
| Stirling County | 38 | vs | 24 | Dunfermline Wolves |
Stirling County: 38 v Dunfermline Wolves: 24
Only 42 shopping days left until Christmas, or if you'd like to think of it another way, another 1,256 showings of the new saccharine, sweet John Lewis snowman Christmas advert. I know what I want for Christmas this year – the opportunity to write a match report with a happy ending. It's not much to ask for, now is it ?
A beautiful, crisp autumnal day in the shadow of the Wallace monument, and the guys are introduced to an alien concept to them – 8 o'clock on a Sunday morning. Yes, it does exist.
The Stirling County first team pitch is in immaculate condition for the game; green lush grass, resplendent against the azure blue sky. Unfortunately, we are playing on the adjacent quagmire next door, whilst the U-15s take to the first pitch. Ken makes another new friend by pointing this out to the Stirling coach, who appears to have noticed the exact same thing, as the vein on his temple seems to noticeably throb when he explains that the U-16s cannot use the firsts' pitch as they might "hurt" it. He does not seem particularly convinced by his own argument. It is somehow poignant that both sets of players solemnly observe 2 minutes silence in respect of Remembrance Sunday & Armistice Day in a muddy field.
FRONT ROW: Connor Crawford, Euan McElwee, Adam Nicol
LOCKS: Ewen Slane, James Shields
FLANKERS: Daniel McMillan, Gregor Beatson
No.8: Faraz Nadeem
HALF-BACKS: Ross Breslin, Daniel Wilson
CENTRES: Adam Cumming, Harvey Gardiner
WINGERS: Andrew MacKenzie, Connor Bannister
FULL BACK: Cormac Wcislo
13:20 KICK-OFF
Stirling kick-off and are penalised immediately for handling in the ruck, Cormac, playing at full-back today, takes the penalty, which just fails to find touch, but is knocked on by Stirling to give the first scrum of the game. Who would have guessed that the Wolves would be "morning people"? They seem to have started the brighter of the two teams, being first to the breakdown area and winning the ball in the rucks. Dunfermline press into county's 22, and Daniel Wilson spots a bit of space and puts a speculative grubber kick behind the Stirling defence, but which just goes a little too far and is touched down by Stirling for a 22 drop-out.
Just as Dunfermline begin to develop a hold on the game, County give a timely reminder that they continually remain a potent threat as Bradley makes a break up the left wing, and is caught by a well timed tackle by Andrew MacKenzie.
County press into the Dunfermline 22 and are awarded a penalty when the Wolves go directly off their feet at the ruck.
LAWS OF THE GAME: Welcome to our new regular spot where we attempt to make sense of that pile of bodies which we call a ruck "All players joining a ruck must be on their feet, but sometimes players dive in off their feet in an attempt to slow the ball down, allowing defences to re-group. Referees are particularly strict on this.
County take the quick tap but immediately fumble the ball. Daniel Wilson elects to play a bit of the round-ball game and dribbles the ball on for Harvey Gardiner to scoop up and run up the left wing, demonstrating his strength as well as the speed we are familiar with as he powers his way over the line in the left corner, shrugging off the despairing County tackles. The County coach, acting as linesman, forgets his duties to run up to the posts to determine if the conversion is good, and is somewhat sceptical when we assure him that the conversion was good ….. (it wasn't).
10:10 Stirling County: 0 v Dunfermline Wolves: 5
County re-start with a deep kick into the 22, but Dunfermline secure the ball
I remember the days when the phrase "Hitting the GAP" meant my wife going berserk with her credit card in a well known fashion retail outlet. Nowadays, the expression conjures up images of Adam Cumming hitting the defensive line at speed, exploiting that space in the defensive line with a show & go.
Show and go:
The show: the player in possession of the ball will attack the defensive line with a stance and holding the ball in front of them in a way so as to create the impression that a pass to a team mate is likely to occur. The defenders may be unwilling to commit themselves to tackling the ball-carrier as to do so would could create an exploitable gap in the line should a pass be made. The go: with indecision created in the defence, the ball carrier will sprint for a weak point in the defensive line.
Adam, having broken the line, now merely had to run the remaining 80m to the Stirling try-line - easier said than done on a pitch that is heavier than an Ingmar Bergman film. After a leg-sapping sprint, Adam is brought down in the County 22, but Andrew MacKenzie is there in support to take on the ball and power through to score in the far right corner.
10:20 Stirling County: 0 v Dunfermline Wolves: 10
The Stirling County re-start fails to go 10m and the collective Dunfermline crowd attempt to give James Shields a crash course in Laws 13.6 & 13.7 of the game and shout in unison:
"Law 13.6- Kick-off of under 10 metres but played by an opponent.
If the ball does not reach the opponent’s 10-metre line but is first played by an opponent, play continues.
Law 13.7-Kick-off of under 10 metres and not played by an opponent.
If the ball does not reach the opponent’s 10-metre line the opposing team has two choices:
· To have the ball kicked off again, or
· To have a scrum at the centre of the half-way line and they throw in the ball."
It was either that or "Leave it James !" - can't quite recall. The referee brings them back to the centre for a Wolves scrum. Again, the Dunfermline scrum holds firm and the ball is worked out left to Harvey, who makes a penetrating run deep into County territory before knocking-on in the tackle. The Wolves continue to win ball in the rucks with good scavenging of the ball from James Shields and Gregor Beatson, sucking County players into the ruck situations increasingly leaving County exposed and short of numbers on their right flank. Dunfermline exploit the overlap on the left as Harvey takes the ball at speed and flies past his opposing number to score under the posts.
10:24 Stirling County: 0 v Dunfermline Wolves: 17
At this point in the game Dunfermline appear to have County rattled, with Adam Nicol making a couple of powerful angled runs, bursting through the Stirling defence. However, a momentary lapse of concentration leading up to half time sees Gregor Haldane (No. 10 for county) running through several missed tackles into the heart of the Wolves' defence to cross the try-line before appearing to lose control of the ball. There is some confusion as to whether the try is given before the referee elects not to go to the totally unbiased PMO standing on the balcony and the awards the try.
10:31 Stirling County: 7 v Dunfermline Wolves: 17
Daniel Wilson re-starts, and although the ball doesn't go 10 metres, Stirling play the ball and the game degenerates into a scrappy game of basketball for a few moments, with the ball ricocheting off heads, arms & legs. Dunfermline regain possession and finish the half with a powerful angled run from Adam Nicol taking the Wolves deep into Stirling's 22, before the referee blows for half-time. I take a few moments to compare both sets of players from the U-16 & U-15 matches being played side by side. It's like the before and after shots of a Persil Washing powder ad. Well, at least Coonor Crawford's mum can take a well earned rest from washing the tops, as SCOTT Crawford has very kindly volunteered to do the washing this week. Well done Scott, remember the fabric-softener!
HALF-TIME: Stirling County: 7 v Dunfermline Wolves: 17
And, I think we'll just conclude the match-report there shall we ? Nothing more to see here … move along now !
OK, if we must ……. 10:45 and the second half re-commences. Connor Smilie comes on for Ross Breslin at scrum-half. Locating Connor on the pitch should not prove difficult, as his luminous orange socks tend to leave an after-image trace of his path, like when you used to trace your name with a sparkler on bonfire night when you were young.
Dunfermline are penalised for not releasing, and County take a quick tap penalty, gaining yardage and another penalty for Dunfermline not retreating 10 metres, however Dunfermline manage to clear their lines as County are penalised for not releasing; only for Gregor Haldane (it's never a good sign when you know the names of your opponents) to continue to be a thorn in Dunfermline's side and embark on yet another mazey run through the defence to score under the posts.
10:57 Stirling County: 14 v Dunfermline Wolves: 17
Dunfermline re-group again and take the game back to County with yet another strong run by Andrew MacKenzie, fending off would-be tacklers with a straight arm hand-off Choku-Zuki style. Andrew uses his strength and speed to break through the line to score under the posts. Daniel Wilson does not think that the spectators' nerves are frayed enough, and leisurely slots home the conversion, seemingly oblivious to the impending charge-down attempt from Stirling. The conversion was never in doubt. He re-instates the Wolves' 10 point lead.
…… and that's when my pen ran out.
10:59 Stirling County: 14 v Dunfermline Wolves: 24
OK, so it didn't run out. But, when will Stirling realise they are beat. They come back more times than Frank Sinatra on a Bunjee cord. County hit straight back at Dunfermline, attacking up the left wing and working an overlap for their No.21 to exploit and score in the left-hand corner. The County kicker seems to take an inordinate amount of time to tee-up his kick, maybe unaware that they are not yet quite in the lead.
11:05 Stirling County: 19 v Dunfermline Wolves: 24
The Wolves' re-start doesn't go the required 10 metres and Stirling immediately capitalise upon this, taking up good field position in mid-field to launch their next attack. The 11th minute of the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month sees Stirling take the lead for the first time in this match.
11:11 Stirling County: 26 v Dunfermline Wolves: 24
Dunfermline try to dig deep and re-affirm their grip on this game. At the next line-out, the County linesman gives a wry smile and chastises his own hooker for virtually handing his team-mate the ball. A line-out throw which was about as straight as Marcus in Coronation Street – wait a minute, that IS pretty straight these days, if you've been keeping up with your Corrie. The Wolves are awarded a scrum in mid-field and then everything goes into slo-mo …… it's like watching Neo in the Matrix as Bradley (curse you Bradley ! …… I mean, well played Bradley!) pre-empts exactly what Daniel Wilson is about to do from the scrum as he attempts a switch move which is intercepted by a grateful Bradley, who is last seen disappearing in a cloud of dust towards the Dunfermline try-line in the best Road-Runner tradition. Neep Neep !
11:19 Stirling County: 33 v Dunfermline Wolves: 24
Andrew Clark comes on for James Shields, Daniel McMillan moves to second row and Andrew replaced Daniel at flanker. County make one last attack up the left, and try to break down the Wolves desperate try-line defence. Failing to find a way through, County place a well weighted kick through the line which is taken over the line for County to score from the resulting 5m scrum.
11:24 Stirling County: 38 v Dunfermline Wolves: 24
POST-MATCH ANALYSIS
Just because some of you no longer believe in Santa Claus …..
(I know there are still a few of you who do ….. it's OK , I won't name any names …. you DO know that the Easter Bunny & the Tooth Fairy are fictional !?)
……. anyway, that doesn't mean that you can't believe in yourselves.
Technically you guys are every bit as good as Stirling, and all that is lacking is a bit of self-belief that you can close a game out through being a bit more strategic and game-savvy and trusting in your own ability to retain the ball and see the game out to a successful conclusion. Remember my Christmas List !
Coaches Man-of the Match: By Duncan Campbell
Adam Nicol, Ewen Slane and Faraz Nadeem were highlighted by Duncan as having a stand-out impact upon the game. Faraz will indeed be a great loss to the team when he moves away to Wales in December. There are cheap flights available from Cardiff to Edinburgh from £36 if booked sufficiently far enough in advance – that works out at around £2 per head if everyone chips in for your tickets !
Sunny Award:
Sunny goes to Scott Buchan again, for sleeping-in for the match. Scott, if you win it 3-times in a row you get to keep it you know !!
A beautiful, crisp autumnal day in the shadow of the Wallace monument, and the guys are introduced to an alien concept to them – 8 o'clock on a Sunday morning. Yes, it does exist.
The Stirling County first team pitch is in immaculate condition for the game; green lush grass, resplendent against the azure blue sky. Unfortunately, we are playing on the adjacent quagmire next door, whilst the U-15s take to the first pitch. Ken makes another new friend by pointing this out to the Stirling coach, who appears to have noticed the exact same thing, as the vein on his temple seems to noticeably throb when he explains that the U-16s cannot use the firsts' pitch as they might "hurt" it. He does not seem particularly convinced by his own argument. It is somehow poignant that both sets of players solemnly observe 2 minutes silence in respect of Remembrance Sunday & Armistice Day in a muddy field.
FRONT ROW: Connor Crawford, Euan McElwee, Adam Nicol
LOCKS: Ewen Slane, James Shields
FLANKERS: Daniel McMillan, Gregor Beatson
No.8: Faraz Nadeem
HALF-BACKS: Ross Breslin, Daniel Wilson
CENTRES: Adam Cumming, Harvey Gardiner
WINGERS: Andrew MacKenzie, Connor Bannister
FULL BACK: Cormac Wcislo
13:20 KICK-OFF
Stirling kick-off and are penalised immediately for handling in the ruck, Cormac, playing at full-back today, takes the penalty, which just fails to find touch, but is knocked on by Stirling to give the first scrum of the game. Who would have guessed that the Wolves would be "morning people"? They seem to have started the brighter of the two teams, being first to the breakdown area and winning the ball in the rucks. Dunfermline press into county's 22, and Daniel Wilson spots a bit of space and puts a speculative grubber kick behind the Stirling defence, but which just goes a little too far and is touched down by Stirling for a 22 drop-out.
Just as Dunfermline begin to develop a hold on the game, County give a timely reminder that they continually remain a potent threat as Bradley makes a break up the left wing, and is caught by a well timed tackle by Andrew MacKenzie.
County press into the Dunfermline 22 and are awarded a penalty when the Wolves go directly off their feet at the ruck.
LAWS OF THE GAME: Welcome to our new regular spot where we attempt to make sense of that pile of bodies which we call a ruck "All players joining a ruck must be on their feet, but sometimes players dive in off their feet in an attempt to slow the ball down, allowing defences to re-group. Referees are particularly strict on this.
County take the quick tap but immediately fumble the ball. Daniel Wilson elects to play a bit of the round-ball game and dribbles the ball on for Harvey Gardiner to scoop up and run up the left wing, demonstrating his strength as well as the speed we are familiar with as he powers his way over the line in the left corner, shrugging off the despairing County tackles. The County coach, acting as linesman, forgets his duties to run up to the posts to determine if the conversion is good, and is somewhat sceptical when we assure him that the conversion was good ….. (it wasn't).
10:10 Stirling County: 0 v Dunfermline Wolves: 5
County re-start with a deep kick into the 22, but Dunfermline secure the ball
I remember the days when the phrase "Hitting the GAP" meant my wife going berserk with her credit card in a well known fashion retail outlet. Nowadays, the expression conjures up images of Adam Cumming hitting the defensive line at speed, exploiting that space in the defensive line with a show & go.
Show and go:
The show: the player in possession of the ball will attack the defensive line with a stance and holding the ball in front of them in a way so as to create the impression that a pass to a team mate is likely to occur. The defenders may be unwilling to commit themselves to tackling the ball-carrier as to do so would could create an exploitable gap in the line should a pass be made. The go: with indecision created in the defence, the ball carrier will sprint for a weak point in the defensive line.
Adam, having broken the line, now merely had to run the remaining 80m to the Stirling try-line - easier said than done on a pitch that is heavier than an Ingmar Bergman film. After a leg-sapping sprint, Adam is brought down in the County 22, but Andrew MacKenzie is there in support to take on the ball and power through to score in the far right corner.
10:20 Stirling County: 0 v Dunfermline Wolves: 10
The Stirling County re-start fails to go 10m and the collective Dunfermline crowd attempt to give James Shields a crash course in Laws 13.6 & 13.7 of the game and shout in unison:
"Law 13.6- Kick-off of under 10 metres but played by an opponent.
If the ball does not reach the opponent’s 10-metre line but is first played by an opponent, play continues.
Law 13.7-Kick-off of under 10 metres and not played by an opponent.
If the ball does not reach the opponent’s 10-metre line the opposing team has two choices:
· To have the ball kicked off again, or
· To have a scrum at the centre of the half-way line and they throw in the ball."
It was either that or "Leave it James !" - can't quite recall. The referee brings them back to the centre for a Wolves scrum. Again, the Dunfermline scrum holds firm and the ball is worked out left to Harvey, who makes a penetrating run deep into County territory before knocking-on in the tackle. The Wolves continue to win ball in the rucks with good scavenging of the ball from James Shields and Gregor Beatson, sucking County players into the ruck situations increasingly leaving County exposed and short of numbers on their right flank. Dunfermline exploit the overlap on the left as Harvey takes the ball at speed and flies past his opposing number to score under the posts.
10:24 Stirling County: 0 v Dunfermline Wolves: 17
At this point in the game Dunfermline appear to have County rattled, with Adam Nicol making a couple of powerful angled runs, bursting through the Stirling defence. However, a momentary lapse of concentration leading up to half time sees Gregor Haldane (No. 10 for county) running through several missed tackles into the heart of the Wolves' defence to cross the try-line before appearing to lose control of the ball. There is some confusion as to whether the try is given before the referee elects not to go to the totally unbiased PMO standing on the balcony and the awards the try.
10:31 Stirling County: 7 v Dunfermline Wolves: 17
Daniel Wilson re-starts, and although the ball doesn't go 10 metres, Stirling play the ball and the game degenerates into a scrappy game of basketball for a few moments, with the ball ricocheting off heads, arms & legs. Dunfermline regain possession and finish the half with a powerful angled run from Adam Nicol taking the Wolves deep into Stirling's 22, before the referee blows for half-time. I take a few moments to compare both sets of players from the U-16 & U-15 matches being played side by side. It's like the before and after shots of a Persil Washing powder ad. Well, at least Coonor Crawford's mum can take a well earned rest from washing the tops, as SCOTT Crawford has very kindly volunteered to do the washing this week. Well done Scott, remember the fabric-softener!
HALF-TIME: Stirling County: 7 v Dunfermline Wolves: 17
And, I think we'll just conclude the match-report there shall we ? Nothing more to see here … move along now !
OK, if we must ……. 10:45 and the second half re-commences. Connor Smilie comes on for Ross Breslin at scrum-half. Locating Connor on the pitch should not prove difficult, as his luminous orange socks tend to leave an after-image trace of his path, like when you used to trace your name with a sparkler on bonfire night when you were young.
Dunfermline are penalised for not releasing, and County take a quick tap penalty, gaining yardage and another penalty for Dunfermline not retreating 10 metres, however Dunfermline manage to clear their lines as County are penalised for not releasing; only for Gregor Haldane (it's never a good sign when you know the names of your opponents) to continue to be a thorn in Dunfermline's side and embark on yet another mazey run through the defence to score under the posts.
10:57 Stirling County: 14 v Dunfermline Wolves: 17
Dunfermline re-group again and take the game back to County with yet another strong run by Andrew MacKenzie, fending off would-be tacklers with a straight arm hand-off Choku-Zuki style. Andrew uses his strength and speed to break through the line to score under the posts. Daniel Wilson does not think that the spectators' nerves are frayed enough, and leisurely slots home the conversion, seemingly oblivious to the impending charge-down attempt from Stirling. The conversion was never in doubt. He re-instates the Wolves' 10 point lead.
…… and that's when my pen ran out.
10:59 Stirling County: 14 v Dunfermline Wolves: 24
OK, so it didn't run out. But, when will Stirling realise they are beat. They come back more times than Frank Sinatra on a Bunjee cord. County hit straight back at Dunfermline, attacking up the left wing and working an overlap for their No.21 to exploit and score in the left-hand corner. The County kicker seems to take an inordinate amount of time to tee-up his kick, maybe unaware that they are not yet quite in the lead.
11:05 Stirling County: 19 v Dunfermline Wolves: 24
The Wolves' re-start doesn't go the required 10 metres and Stirling immediately capitalise upon this, taking up good field position in mid-field to launch their next attack. The 11th minute of the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month sees Stirling take the lead for the first time in this match.
11:11 Stirling County: 26 v Dunfermline Wolves: 24
Dunfermline try to dig deep and re-affirm their grip on this game. At the next line-out, the County linesman gives a wry smile and chastises his own hooker for virtually handing his team-mate the ball. A line-out throw which was about as straight as Marcus in Coronation Street – wait a minute, that IS pretty straight these days, if you've been keeping up with your Corrie. The Wolves are awarded a scrum in mid-field and then everything goes into slo-mo …… it's like watching Neo in the Matrix as Bradley (curse you Bradley ! …… I mean, well played Bradley!) pre-empts exactly what Daniel Wilson is about to do from the scrum as he attempts a switch move which is intercepted by a grateful Bradley, who is last seen disappearing in a cloud of dust towards the Dunfermline try-line in the best Road-Runner tradition. Neep Neep !
11:19 Stirling County: 33 v Dunfermline Wolves: 24
Andrew Clark comes on for James Shields, Daniel McMillan moves to second row and Andrew replaced Daniel at flanker. County make one last attack up the left, and try to break down the Wolves desperate try-line defence. Failing to find a way through, County place a well weighted kick through the line which is taken over the line for County to score from the resulting 5m scrum.
11:24 Stirling County: 38 v Dunfermline Wolves: 24
POST-MATCH ANALYSIS
Just because some of you no longer believe in Santa Claus …..
(I know there are still a few of you who do ….. it's OK , I won't name any names …. you DO know that the Easter Bunny & the Tooth Fairy are fictional !?)
……. anyway, that doesn't mean that you can't believe in yourselves.
Technically you guys are every bit as good as Stirling, and all that is lacking is a bit of self-belief that you can close a game out through being a bit more strategic and game-savvy and trusting in your own ability to retain the ball and see the game out to a successful conclusion. Remember my Christmas List !
Coaches Man-of the Match: By Duncan Campbell
Adam Nicol, Ewen Slane and Faraz Nadeem were highlighted by Duncan as having a stand-out impact upon the game. Faraz will indeed be a great loss to the team when he moves away to Wales in December. There are cheap flights available from Cardiff to Edinburgh from £36 if booked sufficiently far enough in advance – that works out at around £2 per head if everyone chips in for your tickets !
Sunny Award:
Sunny goes to Scott Buchan again, for sleeping-in for the match. Scott, if you win it 3-times in a row you get to keep it you know !!
Player Of The Match
Not Selected
RSS Feeds
Comment & Share