South v Melbourne

Match report South v Melbourne 5/2/17

Following on from a fantastic win last week South u15s were in a determined mood to continue their form against a side we hadn't played for two seasons.

Melbourne with a massive pack and some sizeable backs, so it was going to be a physical encounter.

South started well, with Mitch making a lovely darting run from the first scrum. The ball worked out to Callum who showed some electric pace down the left wing to score a belter. He just missed the conversion but first points on the board to South.

5-0.

Charlie took a great take from the kick off and took play at Melbourne, they stopped the attack and a series of scrums followed. Play continued with a series of rucks and mauls and attacks from both sides. Melbourne started to edge back towards the south line, were awarded a penalty and managed barge over for the equalising try. The scored the extra and nudged into the lead

5-7 to Melbourne

South started well from the restart and recycling the ball well, the back row working very hard to win ball. The ball was spun wide where Alex on the wing made a lovely run out wide. A lineout followed, from the drive, jack at flanker took it forward on a strong drive, recycled well by the pack, out to Spencer who changed the angle beautifully to take back across the defence and then passed to Sam, who showed some stunning pace to sprint in another South try ! Callum bagged the extra two points.

12-7 to South.

Melbourne though proved to be a real handful and took play right back at us into our 22". Jack made a great tackle on there centre and won the ball back, we cleared the ball but Melbourne came straight back at us with their giant No8 driving straight at Charlie on the wing who made a crunching tackle on him to stop him and also the ball back. Some stunning pieces of play !

The ref awarded South a penalty and our own Jonny wilkinson stepped up and pumped the ball deep into the Melbourne half. Melbourne won the ball back and showed the strength by going though some good phases and them kicking back at us, Charlie covering well on the wing to recover the ball. Melbourne though weren't to be stopped, they won the ball and managed to bring the scores level with another try in the corner.

12-12

HALF TIME

Melbourne kicked off the second half and Max took a great catch and made a powerful drive straight at the oncoming tacklers. Melbourne absorbed the attack and caught the South defence napping as they shot through for a cheekily taken try.

12-17 to Melbourne

South recycled well and play went wide then to a south lineout.

The pack were working really well to win the ball, this was fed out to Sam, whose speed was again too much for the Melbourne lads, with him racing over for his second try !

Jude stepped up for the kick and smashed over a corker !

19-17 to South

South were stepping up the gears now though and from a ensuing lineout after the restart Callum fed Luke the ball on the X1 move and Luke smashed through the defence , Callum supported brilliantly and took the off load sprinting over for a great try ! He converted this try aswell,

26-17 to South

Luke again was was in the fray from the restart taking a lovely catch and bulldozing forward popping the ball to Jack in support only for the big Melbourne pack to stop the charge.

South were showing some lovely hands, Reece proving a real handful sniping around the fringes and Issac in the middle showing great strength to take the ball on the charge. The ball was being recycled well, with Morgan constantly barging forward like a wrecking ball, George working tirelessly, Cam smashing into the big forwards showing huge strength, Ollie ,John and joe showing real power and great hands to constantly keep winning ball and grinding out the phases. The wings Josh and Callum screaming for the ball and looking for every opportunity to take the ball at the Melbourne defence.

From this lovely committed play, South found another gap and Sam was there again to slice through, his speed too much for the desperate tacklers and dashed over for a well taken and well earned hatrick ! Callum scored two more from the kick.

33-17 to South !

The next play saw Morgan take the ball forward beating several tackles, off loading to Reece, who hammered forward just short with the off load to Jack. From the next scrum South had a great platform, Reece took it forward on the break and passed to Jack on his shoulder who galloped in a for a lovely try. Callum was on target again for two more

40-17 to South !

The last play saw the back row take it forward again, Jack sprinting forward, tackled but managed to get the pass to George, who had too much pace and power for Melbourne and powered over for a try ! Callum nailed another conversion

Final score 47-17 !

What a fantastic performance ! Lads you were brilliant in this game. Melbourne were a big well drilled side and battled to end, tackling hard and making us work for everything, which makes the result for us even better. You worked for each other, never gave up, displayed aggression and skill in equal measure and had a winning attitude played in the right spirit ! We as coaches and supporters are very proud of you !

Man of the match today was Charlie Jackson, who was brave, committed and had a fabulous match !

Huge huge thanks to Sarah Hiscocks for sponsoring the match, you are an official rugby