Saints 12Camels 12

This is another team that this age group has not beaten, and suffered heavy losses to previously. The pre match talk on the sidelines was of how we were going to physically match a team that looked so much taller and bigger than ourselves. There was no need to be concerned as the saints gave total commitment from first to last whistle and confirmed their recent progress.

The first half ended pointless, but was not a boring game. The territory was wadebridge's as they played down the hill but the saints defence stood strong time and time again. There was consistently good kicking to clear the lines from Todd which kept relieving the building pressure. I cannot remember a missed tackle in whole first half. Virtually all lineouts were won by wadebridge but the saints were winning the majority of the scrums, even against the head. Most of the play was in the forwards with neither back line getting to have any possession to play with. Right at the end of the first half wadebridge tried to take 3 points from a penalty but missed much to our relief. The half finished in bizarre fashion as sam tried to clear the ball to touch but hit charlie in the face and wadebridge broke into our 22, then Charlie tried to clear the ball out to end the half but managed to hit his own crossbar bringing the ball into play again, eventually the whistle was blown.

The second half started in similar fashion but with territory being much more even. Wadebridge were knocking at the door 5-10 metres out for a few minutes and eventually a yellow card was shown to Callum for too many team infringes. This was quickly followed by a try to wadebridge where they found some space, the conversion was missed. We needed to hang in there whilst down to 14 players but very nearly replied with a try of our own with the forwards just failing to get over the line.

Back to 14 men and trying to move the ball through the backs more we started to make more metres and were rewarded when a great run from bailey fed Torin to go over near the posts, the conversion was missed to leave the game at 5-5. The saints were in the ascendancy now and moving the ball along the line allowed Bailey to go over in the corner. A fantastic finish, and a great conversion gave us a 7 point lead with just 5 mins to go. We were unable to hold on as wadebridge piled on the pressure and converted a try near the end to end it 12-12.

The whole team deserve much credit, but to mention a man of the match performance from Martin at full back making several try saving tackles and getting his positioning spot on. The pack were great led by torin putting there bodies on the line time and time again. This was the best tackling/defensive performance this team have put in. Next up launceston next week and time to beat a team we haven't before. Confidence is increasing and competition for places is growing. Time to BELIEVE lads !!!!!

A group of very very proud parents and coaches are relishing the next instalment from this developing team.