Sussex U20 - 18 - Hertfordshire U20 - 16
played on Sunday 8th January 2012 at Merchant Taylors School, Northwood
Sussex U20’s started their 2011-12 campaign with a hard fought victory away to a good Hertfordshire side. Preparations were badly thwarted by the weather and only one trial/training game was achieved despite this Sussex quickly gelled together as a unit and got stronger as the game progressed.
Sussex were the first to attack, a good carry by Gue saw them deep into Herts. 22, a long clearance kick by Herts. was gathered by Marsh who set off on a maisey run the ball was quickly shifted along the line to Gillings with a great offload to Cavozzi, coming on a perfect line to crash over 5-0.
Herts. came back strongly and Sussex were forced to give away penalties in trying to defend, from one of these a kick to the corner, line out and two quick phases and the Herts. no 7 crossed the line wide out 5-5, the conversion missed. Herts. continued to attack ,again poor discipline by Sussex gave Herts. an easy penalty in front of the posts, which they duly took 5-8. Sussex came more into the game but after some fine handling from a ruck Sussex took the wrong option and went blind instead of open where they had a big overlap. Sussex’s turn to defend a big tackle by Thompson turn over ball and Sussex were back on the attack, good work by Shone was continued on the ball came out to Wilson on the wing his kick forward bounced awkwardly and enabled him to gather and run in for the score 10-8.we then had a period of play in the middle of the pitch with neither side making too much headway. Herts. had the final say of the half, a knock on by Sussex gave Herts. a scrum on just outside the 22, from this the ball went quickly wide and their number 10 looping round scored in the corner, again the conversion was missed the ref blew for half time 10-13.
Dean came on for Goacher at half time. Sussex started the second half brightly and after only two minutes were back in front, the best move of the match saw Thompson Wilson and Marsh link together with some perfectly timed passes interlinking before Marsh was put away to score 15-13. Sussex began to turn the screw with the pack starting to dominate with Pellett, Gue, Dean, Cavozzi and Peach putting Herts. under enormous pressure, resulting in a penalty in front of the posts unfortunately the kick hit the post and the danger was cleared.Jack Walker came on at scrum half with Elliot Marshall going to 10, replacing Kirkpatrick who at 18 years of age had put in a good performance. The tempo was upped by Sussex but a few mistakes and some stout Herts. defence kept the scoreline the same.More changes saw Uta on for Peach Woodworth for Dean Lasis for Wood who had made massive tackles all day Hyde for Gue, and Ethan Walker for Harte. Still Sussex dominated possession but failed to score. As happens in these situations Herts. turned over ball in their own 22 and decided to run it, a great break by the flyhalf saw him over the halfway line and deep into the Sussex half, good covering by Marsh stopped him and his offload went straight to Shone covering back. Sussex could not clear their lines though and Herts. attacked down the right a penalty ensued for handling on the ground, an infringement Sussex were guilty of far too often, The Herts. 10 stepped up and slotted the kick through the posts to give them the lead 15-16 with 4 minutes left on the clock. Sussex restart was spot on and their forwards turned over ball, with some good pick and goes Sussex were in the Herts 22 and from one of these a penalty was awarded to Sussex for not rolling away. With their regular kicker off the field it was left to Marsh to step up and calmly put the ball through the two uprights capping an excellent performance by him 18-16. Sussex saw out the last 2 minutes and a well deserved victory had been achieved. The whole team played well especially the back row of Gillings Darcey and Shone all a constant thorn in Herts. side. The tackling was superb throughout with Gue Thompson and Wood to the fore.
Finally a mention for the coaches who in a short time had put together a good team who played for each other, and I am sure there is plenty more to come. With Hampshire who beat Surrey 32-25 next at Chichester RFC on 22nd January next up, come along and give the lads some support.
Team: Pellett Gue Goacher Cavozzi Peach Gillings(Capt) Darcey Shone Marshall Kirkpatrick Harte Thompson Wood Wilson Marsh rep: Hyde Dean Woodworth Uta Walker.J walker.E lasis.
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