U13s Determined Performance

Home to Cullompton 15/11/15

L 7 : 15

Withycombe have always struggled to contain a well drilled Cullompton squad made up of sizeable players at this age level. Sunday's encounter looked like it was going to be no different from a side that have credibly only lost once this season.

Despite a bright early start by Withy, Cully soon began to dominate and control the game in the home side's half. Aggressive rucking and counter rucking allowed Cully to maintain more possession which they used well distributing out wide to their strong running backs. To their credit the Withy boys defended extremely well, everyone tackling with venom to curb multiple Cully forays.

The visitors pressure soon paid off with a solitary first half try to make it 0 : 5 at the break.

With the Raleigh Park slope behind them in the second half the Withy boys game was actually in the ascendancy with confidence slowly growing from resolute defence. However, Cullompton soon landed a further unconverted try to make it 0 : 10. Withycombe refused to bow to the visitors pressure and started to control their own ball to put the visitors on the back foot. A probing kick into the Cully 22 allowed Withycombe to crank up some of their own pressure on the opposition. Cully cleared with a kick from their in goal area only for it be to be received well by Liam Daniels who charged through to land a well deserved try which was then converted. Score line 7 : 10.

Withycombe continued to work well shipping the ball through hands but were at times slightly panicky in the face of fast moving opposition. A scrum following a Withy knock on saw Cullompton land a third and final try in the corner.

Despite the score line Withy came back strongly penning Cully in their own half for the last period of the game and were unlucky to not land at least a further try for their efforts.

This was an absorbing and close game of rugby belying the final score line. Withy soaked up much first half pressure to to keep the visitors at bay and were then able to match them as the game developed. Rattled in the second half, Cully had to work hard to keep their lead and were lucky to escape with a score line that could have been much tighter. This Withy performance will hold the boys in very good stead for future fixtures. A credit to both sides for playing a good standard of U13s rugby.

The match was very well refereed by Aaron Annendale.

Try Scorers: Liam Daniels (1)
Conversions: Will Cooper (1)

Man of the Match: Will Cooper at fly half for great kicking to make good breaks