Latest Match Reports
The Magnificent Ten!
The Mighty 10 Spartans…
Last Sunday, the Croydon under 18’s took to the field to face the might of Raynes Park. The side had been decimated
due to injuries, work commitments, school matches, school work and bone idleness, 2 failed to show up on the morning
of the match with out even the courtesy of a phone call. Attempts to procure some bodies from the under 17s also
proved fruitless as they had a home match with some 5 substitutes to call upon.
Undaunted, the 10 left for South West London determined to give it their best and boy did they. RP were kind enough to donate 3 bodies so some sort of match could take place. RP kicked off, Sean Golding caught the ball and tore into the opposition pack with a determined drive up to the half way line, quick ruck ball was won and spun to the back line, as Croydon took to the
field with only 2 forwards the game plan was to get it wide at every opportunity. RP in their anxiety strayed offside at the break down, Croydon took territory with the impressive Jamie Smith making 40 metres with his touch finder.
Croydon obviously struggled in the line out with Jamie having to throw in for the first time and no specialist jumpers to aim at, RP were able to hoist their tall second row at number 2 and dominate that area, however Croydon made up for that by tearing in to the tackle and driving the bigger RP forwards backwards. Croydon were enjoying greater territory and the fact that the scrums were uncontested allowed them to launch their hungry back line at every opportunity. Some good handling by Jake Henderson and Carl Shrimpton in the centre and from Harry Warsop was creating a little bit of space for winger James Lyell to use his pace and only some desperate last gasp tackling prevented from making to the try line. From thrust up the middle, great week from Neil Thornton secured quick ball at the ruck, an intelligent kick into space from Jamie smith and an even better chase was not able to charge the full backs kick down but was also first to the loose ball, the cover just got to him 8 metres from the line but a great off load to Golding in support allowed him the chance to canter over the line for the first try that was converted by full back Steve Hawkins. Croydon immediately took control from the restart, the pressure put on forced RP to stray offside, Croydon this time opted for the points and Hawkins easily converted again. Again from the kick off Croydon were able to use the superior back line and take the ball into the RP 22, an error from RP gave Croydon an attacking scrum, Jamie Smith picked up from base and was able power through the cover defence and touch down, unfortunately the conversion was narrowly missed.
Half time came with Croydon 15-0 ahead. RP changed the 3 players they lent Croyson and came out determined to use their bigger forwards in the second half, with their fly half kicking at every opportunity for territory, a succession of penalties allowed the home side in to Croydon half spirited defence kept drive after drive out, the penalities kept coming the way of RP and finally resistance was broken when their prop dived over in the corner, conversion missed. From the restart Croydon were again penalised at the breakdown, the home side kicked to 25 metres out, they won the line out and there scrum half was able to dance thriough a few tired tackles to touch down, the conversion was good. RP really fancied this now and came hunting for the try to take the lead, after another drive by the forwards, despite 2 big tackles by Ben Smith they were able to touch down near the posts the conversion was missed but was good enough for a 2 point lead. Croydon refused to say die and tore back at them, after a rare penalty decision went their way, the ball was moved through several pairs of hands for Ben smith to make a surge towards the line only to be snagged just short. There was time for one more thrust, again the backs made the dent, the ball came back to a guest player who surged to the line only be stopped by a neck tackle yards short, the Croydon support waited for the ref’s decision will it be apenlty try will it be a penalty, but no it was a scrum...the ball was won and put to the back line only to be fumbled. There was time for another Jamie Smith drive only to be stopped in the 22 then the final whistle sounded, final score 17-15 to RP.
Coach Ian Golding said, I cannot say how proud I was of the boys, they all stood up to be counted and gave 110 %, played all the rugby, carnival stuff just fell short in the end. The mighty 10 deserve to named, they are, Neil Thornton, Sean Golding, Ben Smith, Jamie Smith, Will Curtis, Harry Warsop, Jamie Henderson, Carl Shrimpton, James Lyell and Steve Hawkins.
They deserve whole hearted praise from everyone, especially their missing in action team mates, well done you made an old coach very proud.
