The first points came thick and fast once the game had started with Frazier Patience scoring in the corner. This was quickly followed by another in the opposite corner as George Bowen crossed for his first try for the club in his debut season. US then hit back with Petersfield man Erin Eales barging his way over under the posts. The try was converted to reduce the gap to 3-points. This sparked some life into a game that had threatened to become one sided and both teams upped the ante. The next two Field scores came courtesy of Barney Martin who prospered from a catch and drive to record his first score before following up minutes later with a bullocking run from a tapped. The last score of the half came from Prop Jason Swift, who showed the US defence a clean pair of heels from the half way line. With all five of their tries unconverted, the Mustangs went into the break with a lead of 25-7.

At half time the Mustangs swapped over the loaned players and carried on as they had left the first half. Dan Dryden started the scoring by finding a gap in the US forwards inside his own 22 and the going the length of the field to score. It was then the turn of the visitors as some missed Field tackles allowed US in for another unconverted try which was swiftly countered by Martin who completed his hat trick. Next, a surging run by Erin Eales, (back in red for the second half), was finished off by Matt Lewis who’s excellent support play put him in the right place to receive a pop pass out of contact from Eales before barging over to score under the posts. Lewis then composed himself to knock over the extras and take the score to an unassailable 42–12. Field man Toby Syndenham was next to score with a fine solo try, but as he was now playing for US his effort reduced the gap.

The brief respite was not to last for long, however, as scrum half Ben Cosway scored a classic scrum-half try with a sniping close range effort that was converted by Patience. Having a started the game with a score Patience looked like he might end it with a second, but he had to settle for the provider role as he was caught after a long and ambitious run. Standing his man up, Patience offloaded to Mike Voller who coasted through to score under the posts, with Dryden taking the conversion. The last score of the game was probably the best of the match with some great passing between Dryden, Ben Wakefield and then finally to Zach Hoffman, who finished the move and the match at 61–17.

It was good to see everyone enjoying themselves and playing with the ball in hand although, from a coach’s perspective, it might have been nice to have taken the opportunity to set a good solid platform and execute from it. The coaching team extended their grateful thanks to all the players who agreed to play for US and make help a match of it, even if two of the US scores came from Mustangs players…!

Also a special mention to U16 hooker Adam Howie who played his first game for the Mustangs and certainly didn’t look out of place with some fine line out work, solid tackling and a couple of runs.

Team: Briggs, Bowen, Cosway, D Dryden, DeCourcey, Eales, Harrington, Hoffman, Kemp, Lewis, Martin, Orr, Patience, Howie, Syndenham, Swift, Voller, Wakefield

Match Report by Steve Dryden