U9's - Woodrush v Camp Hill

A planned tri-way tournament didn’t materialise as Ledbury failed to field a team, but this didn’t detract from the day as Woodrush and Camps set about an entertaining hour of rugby.

The first match was hard fought from the off with both teams trying to assert dominance in attack and defence. The Camps rear guard was exceptionally good with all players holding the line well and restricting Woodrush to limited possession and territory. In attack it was all Camps with strong running and support leading to two tries by half time from Ben E and Jack with Alex and Will going close. The second half was more of the same with good inter play from Will and Kane leading to and arcing run from Joe to put us clear by the end of the match 3 tries to 2. A good opening win and one that we thoroughly deserved.

A quick change around to keep players from freezing to the spot and straight into another dominant half from Camps in the second game. Max was outstanding in attack and time after time burst through tackles with excellent aggression and technique to record two well deserved first half scores. Cian defended particularly well from his wing position and Joss and Ben made good yardage with ball in hand when they had the chance. All square at half time and very much in the ascendancy, it seemed another Camps win was possible, but a major fight back from a Woodrush side increasing in confidence saw us ship 6 second half tries with only one in return . Joe attacked well all day, always looking to stretch the oppositions defence and eventually found his way to the corner where he managed to get the ball down under heavy pressure (diving practise needed for all try scorers next session!)

So all square with a rejuvenated Woodrush team looking confident, but a quietly determined Camps squad scenting their first win of the season. And a ding dong end to end affair it turned out to be. The score changed hands many times and Tries from Ben E, Dan, Joe and A Nother ??? kept Camps in contention right to the end. The handling in attack and commitment and bravery in defence from both sides in worsening conditions was really impressive but eventually and deservedly for both teams it ended in a 4-4 tie to draw the game and the match overall.

Notable performances came from Joe, Kane and particularly Tyler who played his best game so far for Camps with some powerful surges up the field, but it was a storming attacking performance from Max that won the inaugural presentation of the Andy Eades man of the match award (whittled from a solid block of wood by our very own CDT teacher – can’t wait for the end of year trophies!!)

If I’ve missed any details, and anybody can remember the fourth try scorer in the last game, then I do apologise. The team and score sheets so carefully recorded by the afore mentioned craft wizard went through the washing machine along with half a bucket of Woodrush mud so took some deciphering!

Well done to all who took part, coaches and parents went home cold but happy.

Next week – Training and Xmas party Hoorah!!.

Results
Woodrush 2 – 3 Camp Hill (Try scorers: Ben E, Jack, Joe)
Woodrush 8 – 3 Camp Hill (Try scorers: Max 2, Joe)
Woodrush 4 – 4 Camp Hill (Try scorers: Ben E, Dan, Joe, ????)

Squad
Max, Joe, Dan, Alex, Tyler, Ben E, Benjamin, Will, Niall, Cian, Joss, Jack, Kane.

See you next week,

Ali