DMPRFC U16's V YORK RFC

With weather conditions perfect for rugby and a virtually full squad (apart from Louis and Rory due to injury), this was really the u16's first game of the season. This does not take away the huge effort the guys did the week previously but I felt we were ready to take on opposition that we had heard were very strong after some of the results from last season.

With that in mind and a rushed pre match warm up the lads started off strong attacking York in the forwards and up to our inside centre of Adam. With continued pressure in attack and defense we just needed to push a bit more and maybe vary our game plan to cross the line with a score, unfortunately the guys let their guard down allowing York to score against the run of play.

Mowden U'16's dusted themselves down and went again with excellent line out play, sensible territorial kicking for touch at penalty from Callum Piert but we just could not break the strong opposition and again we conceded a converted try.

With Louis missing the multi talented Connor Martin dropped in at full back with no complaint and held his own catching high and bobbling balls with ease. One direct run back at York unfortunately ended in a massive tackle and bang on his head with the hard ground. Connor needed treatment (thank you Dean, Ted the York coach and U15's coaches for their help). After a check at hospital he is fine but will miss a few weeks.

A few changes at half time allowed the team to continue the pressure but with no points on our side of the scorecard. We eventually got the ball out to George but still couldn't score.

Here is where I need to hold up my hands - replacing Adam and dropping big Louis into the centre was a huge howler and a gap a big as the one in The Red Sea appeared allowing another 7 points to York.

Mowden continued the fight and I think we deserved at least a score but it just wasn't our day, we kept at it till the final whistle from referee Mike Nicholson (many thanks Mike), and it was 3 cheers to York for a very very good game of rugby, thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Great leadership from our captain and an all round team effort with a few individual extra efforts including Little Will's awesome tackle in the first 10 minutes lead to a game which we can be proud of. Bring on this week against Sunderland!

One last point I would like to highlight here - some of the lads got little or no rugby and I must apologise for that. These players will be key in the Sunderland game as I have always tried to get everybody on and fairly as they have made the effort to turn up and train.