Convincing win for U16s at Westoe

After recent deluges and flooded pitches it was great to see the U16s Mowden boys put on an impressive display for all travelling parents, winning the game against Westoe by a comfortable margin. This game was part of a decent preparation for the game against Sunderland on the 9th March which could see us through to the County Cup final.
After some quick thinking by Rowan Hall Beasley, which is unusual for a prop, we opened the scoring after a quick penalty, followed by an excellent conversion from Tom (clearly not Gardiner who is to kicking what Douglas Bader is to tap dancing!)

There then followed some excellent passages of play and we looked dangerous and as if we could score at will. Set piece was also strong, and do not think we lost a scrum or line out all game, which is important as forwards do win matches whilst the backs have time to do their hair, which is lucky when you look at the wonderful bouffant-ness of our two centres yesterday! Anyway, next try was Callum Burke running a fantastic line to cut through the defences, again a marvellous conversion in a tricky wind. 14-0.

There was then another try - in my notes I have written "...clean take, great supporting lines, together..." I think based upon that, safe to say it was another forward. 19-0.

Some say Rowan doesn't pass, but from an inch out there was no stopping him as he darted (or flopped) over the line for another try. However, he did leave a difficult conversion which just missed. 24-0.

The game then went a bit quiet, and the team played within themselves for a bit, until a tactical masterpiece from Neil and Paul (aka Rowntree and Farrell in the absence of Lancaster). They went to plan B which involved pods, and from the kick off the ball went through a few hands and resulted in a wonderful try for Liam Dent. This made the score 29-0 at half time, and Mowden were playing up quite a slope. A good half, with some excellent tries. The tactical geniuses made wholesale changes at half time so that everyone got a decent run out. In addition we gave Westoe one of our weaker players as they had no subs, but they were very grateful for Tom Gardiner!

We lost a bit of control at the start of the second half, but soon started to compose ourselves and after a series of forward drives, Nathan White side stepped 12 defenders, dummied the full back and crashed over for another classic try. This was followed by Sam Shields who was on hand to waltz over for another try bringing the score to 39-0.

Unfortunately towards the end of the game we lost a little shape and allowed Westoe over for a consolation try. I don't like to apportion blame, unless it's Matty Wray, but he was full back at the time. Enough said!

So a convincing win, against maybe not the strongest opposition, but still a capable side. In addition to our scores, the defence was resolute, and there was some good work at the breakdown where we turned them over a number of times and excellent kicking by Tom Brown. Good build up for the Sunderland game, but still some areas that we can get better at to ensure that the Cup is ours! Well done chaps, and well supported parents, a stirling effort by all.........