News & EventsLatest NewsCalendar
Early Run Runs Out of Steam

Early Run Runs Out of Steam

David Grace18 Nov 2013 - 11:31
Share via
FacebookTwitter
https://www.pitchero.com/clubs

Northolt return to Middlesex Merit Table action next week after a difficult run of friendlies, including Saturday’s Club VX trip to Hampstead to take on UCS Old Boys’ mix of all 3 squads- opting to choose forwards for the majority of positions.

Despite the final score line, it was The Blues who initially built a healthy lead thanks to their returning stalwarts in the backline. The first score coming from a neat run by Llyndaf Harries stepping 2 defenders to run in under the posts. Moments later Northolt were able to find forward phases and Fly Half Tom Swann punted a chip over the UCS back line for full back James Corbett to beat his opposite man to score, pouncing on the loose ball.

UCS were starting to find their feet and bounce their way through a struggling Northolt defence, but The Blues were just about able to keep the attack at bay and Swann was able to clear after a turn in possession. He then set up Corbett’s 2nd score from a similar move to the last. A chip over the opposing back line to again pounce on a loose ball and touch down.

All seemed well at this stage, dominating in the lineout and driving their opposition off the ball in the scrums, but it was UCS’ running game that in the end stopped the Northolt scoreboard and commenced the comeback. First of which coming in at the end of the first half with Northolt struggling to bring the big forces of UCS down.

The 2nd half would prove all she wrote for Northolt as again they struggled to tackle the strong running of an experienced UCS side, who ran through the weaker tackles, and ran passed the stronger ones. In the end for Northolt it was an eventless half, as they conceded another 4. But there were many positives as for a 2nd week running Henry Matthews impressed with brave runs at some defence double his mass. Mark Johnson also had a fantastic game competing at all breakdowns. Tomas Deveikis also walked off tired, but happy with his performance.

Skipper Frank Enright who watched from the side line had no negatives to speak of as he said “It was the best performance mentally this season. Not once did we challenge a refereeing decision and we just went out there and played the game- something we have been working on all year.”

The Blues now separate back to their 1st and 2nd squads for a home visit from Kilburn Cosmos 2nds in the Middlesex Merit Table and Whitton Lions respectively.

UCS Old Boys XV 31-19 Northolt Club XV

Further reading