U14s - FORWARDS SET UP SUPERB VICTORY

After a rusty display against West Hartlepool two weeks ago Mowden showed the fluency that they displayed pre-Christmas to record an emphatic win over a physical Acklam side scoring nine tries without reply. In particular the forwards, although lighter than their opponents, committed men to rucks and mauls and won turnover ball all match to set up opportunities for themselves and the backs.

In the opening minutes Acklam had most of the possession and tried to use their heavier forwards to gain ground. But Mowden had lost none of the determined defence they displayed against West and aggressive tackling from Simon Shepherd, Callum Oakes, Joe Craggs, Max Harrison and Tom Lawson amongst others stopped Acklam in their tracks and often forced them back.

Right from the start, Mowden forwards, having gained experience from previous games, committed more people with more passion to the loose play and drove Acklam backwards in the rucks. Eventually the pressure told and Acklam gave away a penalty on their twenty two for coming in at the side of the ruck.

Gordon Thompson took a quick tap sending the ball to Tom Lawson who shipped it down the line to Matty Warr who ran round his man to score 10 metres in from the touch line. A great improvement on some of the ponderous penalty moves of a fortnight ago! Tamer Fuat just missed the conversion.

It wasn’t long before Mowden scored again – this time on the other wind. An excellent pick up a drive from Max Harrison moved the ball into the Acklam half. Acklam came away with the ball but powerful tackling and ripping from Alfie Wilson won back possession. Mark Wilson set up the move and Jonny Teague and Tamer committed their tacklers before giving Mark Harsley a chance to run. It was great to see Mark trust his pace to go outside his man, burst through the attempted tackle and score in the left hand corner. Another close miss for the conversion brought the score to 10-0.

Alfie had to retire with a shoulder injury and was replaced by Dom Gibson. The forwards were clearly enjoying being on top and showed their mobility as well as their strength with a good run from Ryan Hall ending a few yards from the Acklam line. Sam Lorimer was having a great game in the second row. So it was not surprising when another try was not long in coming. Elliot Wanless got into the attack, picking up a ball from loose and charging through the Acklam defence before setting up Tamer for another good run. The forwards rucked over the ball allowing Gordon to move the ball to Tom who ran through a tackle and in from the twenty two.

In an unfortunate incident in what had been a very clean match, Max was punched and some retaliation left both sides with 14 men for the rest of the half. Far from being put off, Max upped his game and nearly scored immediately with a powerful run down the right touchline. Two minutes later he stole an Acklam lineout on the other side of the pitch and ran in a try. Tamer converted with an excellent kick from some distance to end the half.

Half time Mowden 22 Acklam 0

At half time Mowden made some changes to the team. If Acklam were looking for some relief, hoping for less able players as the replacements they were sorely disappointed. Mowden are blessed with replacements equally as good as the starting 15! Amongst the changes James McLintock came on, Michael Hall replaced Callum and Connor Noble replaced Simon. With fresh legs in the Mowden team, the pack was still going to be a handful for Acklam.

Acklam kicked off into space and the ball bounced instead of being caught. Unfortunately for Acklam, it bounced into the hands of a surprised John Payne (on for Matty) standing on the right touchline. John did what all good wingers do and headed for the goal-line, handing off three Acklam players to score under the posts. Tamer converted to make the score 29-0.

Mowden remained dominant and a good run through the middle by Jonny and commitment by the forwards saw Acklam again penalised for coming in at the side of a ruck. In almost a repeat of the first half move a short penalty to Tom then Joe gave John another chance to show his strength and speed and he went round his man to score under the posts. Tamer converted

At this point further changes were made. Gordon had clearly enjoyed playing behind a pack that was going forward in the loose and had one of his best games of the season. In order to accommodate the strengths of the replacements, Gordon was rested, Mark W moved to scrum-half, Jonny to fly-half, Tamer to inside centre and bringing Aidan Smith on as outside centre. Mark H who had threatened Acklam all afternoon with his confidence, pace and strength came off and Ollie Cooper came on as left winger.

Mowden were playing the game in Acklam’s half as they had done for most of the match. A scrum gave the chance for a back row move. Tom picked up the ball from the back of the scrum, Mark W provided the link man to Joe who ran in from the twenty two for a great forwards' try. Tamer was solid with his kicking and the score moved to 43-0.

Mowden has not finished yet as Max, who had been a superb forager all morning, pounced on an Acklam dropped ball and raced in for his second try.

In the final move of the game the backs moved the ball right, taking the Acklam defence with them. Jonny popped the ball to Elliot who had sprinted into the line running left, wrong footed Acklam and scored a well-deserved try. Tamer converted to leave the score at 55-0 and the referee ended the match a few minutes early.

Final score Mowden 55 Acklam 0

Clearly the best display in the loose all season by the forwards. By committing our big men to the ruck and maul, instead of drifting out to the back line, we secured our own ball and won turnover ball, setting up tries for both backs and forwards. It was also another great display of tackling against bigger and heavier opposition.

Next game is at home to Horden on 6th February