U14 – MOWDEN BOUNCE BACK TO WINNING WAYS WITH A VENGEANCE

In the best team performance of the season, the forwards worked hard to win clean, quick ball with good running and accurate passing from the backs creating chances and overlaps as the ball was moved down the line. This game was rugby out of the top drawer and Mowden got their just rewards in a convincing win.

After three defeats in a row and no game last week Mowden U14s needed a win to boost confidence. However, Mowden appeared a bit rusty and the first few minutes were characterised by some scrappy play and poor handling. Fortunately, a long loopy pass to nobody was picked from the ground by John Payne on the Stockton 22, and he ran around his opposite number to score. Tamer Fuat converted to make the score 7-0.

From the restart Callum Oakes caught cleanly and made good ground before being tackled. The forwards recycled the ball quickly giving the backs the opportunity to commit their tacklers and move the ball down the line to full back Mark Harsley creating the overlap with Mark scoring in the right hand corner.

The bigger Stockton forwards began to make some progress in a slow maul but the strength of Michael Hall, Sam Lorimer and Tom Lawson managed to win turnover ball. Gordon Thompson fired a pass to Mark Wilson who saw a gap on the blind side. After making ground and committing his man he slipped the ball out to John who ran in his second try from the half way line. Tamer converted to make the score 19-0.

Stockton decided to change tactics at the restart and kick to the backs. Jonny Teague caught cleanly and charged upfield. Mowden forwards were quick to support and win quick ball. Another good passing movement saw Joe Craggs in the line, passing to John at the last minute for John to score his hat trick for Mowden’s fourth try, duly converted by Tamer.

Tamer nearly scored himself shortly afterwards after a good individual run but unfortunately the ball slipped from his grasp as he was grounding it. From the 5m scrum, pressure from Mowden forced some loose play from Stockton allowing Jonny to pick up and drive forward before setting the ball back. A quick pass from Gordon and another blind side move from Mark W gave the supporting Joe Craggs a fine try in the right corner.

With the score at 31-0 Mark W nearly scored himself, ducking and diving to create some space, only to be bundled into touch inches from the line. Good pressure from the Mowden forwards following the line out forced an error from Stockton in their in-goal area resulting in a 5m scrum with Mowden put in. A new look front row consisting of Simon Shepherd, Alfie Wilson as hooker and Dom Gibson won clean ball as the Mowden scrum held firm against a heavier pack. Mark W again exploited the blind side to put Matty Warr over for a try.

The coaches decided to rest ‘hat trick hero’ John. Aidan Smith replaced him on the left wing and scored in the last move of the half with his first feel of the ball! Mowden won a scrum against the head and Mark W punted the ball downfield and into touch. Joe Craggs stole the ball from the Stockton lineout, releasing Tom and Alfie to make ground down the right touchline. The ball was set back and in a simple but delightful move the ball was spread across the pitch, each player committing their tackler before passing, and with Mark H sprinting in to make the extra man, creating the overlap allowing Aidan to score in the left corner.

Half Time: Mowden 41 Stockton 0

Stockton started the second half. A clean catch from Sam Lorimer and the ball was set back. Gordon dug out the ball, passed to Mark W who sent the ball on to Jonny who started a run from his own 10m line. Waiting to be tackled and looking for support that was duly supplied by Joe, Jonny continued uninterrupted and virtually unchallenged through the Stockton defence to score under the posts. Tamer completed his 3rd conversion.

Callum, having tackled ferociously throughout the match was rested and Ryan Hall came on as hooker, Alfie moving to flanker.

To their credit, Stockton continued to compete and use their large forwards to make ground but strong tackling from Dom, Simon and Tom limited Stockton’s progress and hard work winning turnover ball by Sam and Michael prevented any real inroads into the Mowden half.

Mowden won a line-out on the halfway line giving Tamer a chance to make a break. Excellent support from Mark H, revelling in his role as attacking full back, set Matty free to show his heels to the last Stockton player and score under the posts. Tamer converted to leave the score 55-0

Tamer took his own chance to score immediately after when the restart went to Jonny who made ground through the defence before passing to Tamer down the left hand side of the field. Great support play by Mark H and Aidan drew the defence, who didn’t know who to tackle, leaving Tamer a run in under the posts. He converted his own try.

Unfortunately for Stockton, they appeared not to learn from this and from the restart kicked the ball straight to Jonny again. He powered to the Stockton 22 before being tackled and setting the ball back. Gordon, really settling into the scrum half role, set the backs away in a lovely passing move with Mark H finally floating a pass to the ever supporting Joe to score. In a tough kick from the left hand touchline Tamer was unlucky to hit the post.

A few moments later Joe returned the favour after Mowden won loose ball and Joe burst downfield. He timed his pass to perfection, totally committing the tackler and giving Mark H an easy score.

Matty retired and Leon Wheatcroft came on for his debut game.

Mark H completed his own hat trick with the final play of the game. Stockton won their own scrum but pressure from Simon and Dom caused the ball to become loose and Ryan Hall fell on it to win it for Mowden. Quick ball down the line saw Mark H shrug off a tackle to score. The referee, quite rightly deciding enough was enough, ended the match a few minutes early

Final Score Mowden 77 Stockton 0

A great team performance with the forwards doing a magnificent job of winning and securing the ball. The backs played with intelligence, moving the ball wide at every opportunity and with eight of the twelve tries from wide moves it was very effective. Support from forwards and backs was another key to this magnificent performance.

Next week away to Penrith