Uttoxeter Rugby Club

Longton U14 v Uttoxeter U14 – Sunday 22 Jan 2012

Uttoxeter visited Longton having learnt much from a narrow defeat at their first meeting at Oldfields three weeks ago.
Longton kicked off the match against the gale force wind and immediate pressurised Uttoxeter. Great low tackling from Uttoxeter forwards Trigg, Hoult, Bell, and second row Cleare, Rockley and Randle held up the Longton charge.

Uttoxeter utilised the gaps with Lyons linking well with Lambert and feeding Randle ,Owen and Abraham. It was Robinson, Owen and Abraham who were making good ground for Uttoxeter with penetrating runs and good handling. Uttoxeter were winning scrums from careless handling from the home team. Uttoxeter although wind assisted were finding difficulty penetrating beyond Longton’s 22. It was Longton who would score first after a bout of sustained pressure. The wind prevented the conversion. Longton 5 Uttoxeter 0.

Uttoxeter bounced back with excellent handling between Lyons, Lambert, Owen, Abraham and Smith to set off Whitehouse down the left flank. Whitehouse sided-stepped two defenders and swerved past another, but was final driven out of play by Longton’s full-back. Uttoxeter with new confidence were now winning lineouts and spreading the ball from left to right flank. Harding, Cleare and Rockley were tackling for every loose ball. Some excellent low tackling from Brad Smith prevented the Longton winger from scoring a certain try.

Longton were coping remarkably well with the wind. Longton’s No10 was particularly effective in drawing in the Uttoxeter backs and then releasing to his centre. It was through one such move which resulted in a further Longton try. The wind prevented the conversion. Longton 10 Uttoxeter 0.

Uttoxeter were quick to respond. Lambert kick-off and Robinson was quick to gather the ball and set-up a ruck. Hoult, and Trigg drove over allowing Lyons to control play. Lyons first passed the ball out left to lambert who quickly realised AJ Bennet was screaming for the ball and a switch pass. Lambert popped up a perfect pass into the running line of AJ Bennett. Bennett sliced his way through Longton tackles into the 22. Longton’s full-back attempted to cover but Bennet’s momentum took him over the goal line. Uttoxeter missed the conversion. Longton 10 Uttoxeter 5 ( half-time)

Bennett kicked off the second half against the wind. Longton knock-on the ball resulting in an immediate scrum on Longton’s 22. It was Kieran Knights who would score next for Uttoxeter. Knights collected a pass from Owen broke through a surprised Longton defence to score between the posts. The conversion was missed against the wind. Longton 10 Uttoxeter 10

Longton quickly rallied and used the wind to their advantage by kicking into the Uttoxeter corner area. Uttoxeter lost the lineout setting off the Longton backs . Great tackles from Will Spray ,Dom Foster and Bennett could not prevent Longton scoring in the right-hand corner. The wind prevented the conversion. Longton 15 Uttoxeter 10

Uttoxeter’s captain Luke Randle called on his team to respond. It would be Trigg, Hoult, and Rockley who would dig deep against the Longton forward’s with low strong tackling and winning loose ball. Lyon’s scrimmaging had matched Longton’s efforts throughout the day and it was he who would set off Owen who found a gap in the Longton defence. Owen then linked with Abraham on Longton’s 22. Abraham wrestled off two tackles whilst in full flight to break through the Longton defence and score between the posts. AJ Bennett converted. Longton 15 Uttoxeter 17 with 6minutes to play.

Longton were on the rack. However, it was Longton’s turn to re-group. After some excellent handling by the Longton backs a try was scored in the left hand flank. Longton 20 Uttoxeter 17. Longton added a further try before the full-time whistle. Longton 25 Uttoxeter 17.

What a comeback from Uttoxeter U14. Notwithstanding the final score a very proud day for players, parents and URFC.