Latest Match Reports
Croydon Under 21s win Bowl Final
CROYDON U 21s shone in Surrey Bowl Final by beating Cobham by three tries to one on a cold blustery day. Croydon fielded a strong squad welcoming back both James Griffiths and Nick Ray who have been side-lined by injury throughout most of the season. It was a good all round performance by Croydon with a strong disciplined pack creating attacking opportunities launched by the half back combination of Bradley Warboys and Tim Gleig who released centres Ben Maynard and James Griffiths on numerous attacks which created second phase ball leading to two tries.
Croydon started the first half with the benefit of the slope and a strong cross wind at their backs and soon settled in the Cobham half. Cobham conceded a penalty under pressure which Tim Gleig kicked to the right hand corner. Captain Jamie Pecorella called a front of the line-out set piece which led to Chris Elmes scoring wide out which was not converted. There then followed a closely fought period in the game when the Croydon front row, spiritedly led by hooker Jamie Pecorella, got the better of Cobham but the latter’s line-out threatened to undo this advantage and some early missed tackles by Croydon could have proved crucial. Fortunately centres Ben Maynard and Jamie Griffiths and the back row defended well against the strong running Cobham backs .The difficult wind led to several “not straight” line-out throw-ins from Cobham which gave turnover ball to Croydon in the set scrums and on the half hour, after two phases of open play, the Croydon pack secured the ball and drove over the Cobham line allowing Anthony Abou-Zeid to score. Tim Gleig converted.
With half time approaching a twelve point lead did not look enough to compensate for playing up the slope and against the wind in the second half. Fortunately the Croydon forwards and backs combined well to drive deep into Cobham territory and loose ball was picked up and driven over the line by the Croydon forwards for Nick Ray to touch down. Tim Gleig converted to increase the lead to 19 points.
In the second half Cobham staged a spirited recovery and soon scored a fine try in the left hand corner after a period of sustained possession. There followed a long period of play with Cobham applying pressure from an improving forward performance supported by some good running by their backs but Croydon’s defence held firm and gradually the Croydon pack secured more possession and good touch kicking by Tim Gleig gradually moved the game into Cobham territory. With five minutes remaining Croydon were awarded a kickable penalty on the defenders 22 but the swirling wind saw Tim Gleig’s well struck kick drift wide of the left hand post.
The final whistle went with Croydon running out winners by 19 points to 5 following a good competitive game which was a credit to both clubs’ coaches and players. Next season Croydon will be establishing an Under 21 Academy squad formed of most of this teams players, who have progressed through the younger age group teams, and the Under 17s squad which capped a fine season with good wins in a junior tournament in Rotterdam, Holland held over the Easter holidays.
The Club’s policy of running junior squads playing competitive rugby for each age group over 11 years old and tag rugby followed by coaching in basic rugby skills for the 8 to 11 age groups should pay good dividends at senior level in the future.
