DMPRFC Blues and Whites v Ryton and Gateshead

DMPRFC U11's put out two teams - The Blues and the Whites. Each team played Ryton and Gateshead.

The 'Whites" Report: Mowden Park U-11 White Match Summary
Match 1 versus Gateshead
The match started in a very even contest, the team got spurred on following a terrific opening tackle from Jack Williams which led to Mowden taking the lead with the opening try of the match. Gateshead soon responded and drew level exploiting the open spaces in Mowden’s defensive line. Unfortunately Mowden didn’t close their line and let Gateshead spring in another try to take the lead. Jacob Vickers responded with a couple of strong tackles, but Gateshead could still see areas of open field to exploit and they extended their lead. Olivia Halliday soon added her name to the list of strong tacklers from Mowden, but Gateshead kept stealing runs into open spaces to keep extending their lead. The final score of 1-7 didn’t reflect the quality of play from Mowden, with some very strong tackles and set pieces evident.

Match 2 versus Ryton
Mowden started the game fired up and keen to turn their quality play into points. Sam Berry produced some well-judged kicks into space when under pressure, helping Jacobs Willson and Vickers to use their strength to keep driving forward. Ezra Laundy-Blair stepped up with his own strong tackles but a loose ball was finally scooped up by Ryton who ran it home being chased by Mowden. After a period of good open play, with neither side looking the stronger, Ryton again found an opening and scored their second. Gabriel MacGregor Taylor took up the gauntlet and drove forward with Ryton players hanging from him as he ground his way over the line for Mowden’s first try. Following a restart from Ryton Joe Berry made a clean catch and then proceeded to run ¾ of the pitch, just missing the try line, but Gabriel was in support to take advantage of the ground gained to score his second try. Ryton pulled ahead again with their third try. The Mowden team kept their heads up and a period of pressure starting with Joe Berry, led Callum Poppitt to make ground towards the Ryton line before passing to Amar Atwal who scored the third try for Mowden. Playing from scrum-half Callum gained 5 metres before the ensuing ruck led to Jack Williams making further ground to the try line to take the lead for Mowden. On the touchline the parents and supporters were willing the game to finish with Mowden in the lead, but Ryton equalised in the very last play of the match. Final score 4-4, and some very impressive rugby played by Mowden.

The Blues Report:

The Under 11 Blue team started their season at home playing a double header against Ryton and Gateshead.

First up was Ryton and the team was into its stride quickly with pressure in the Ryton half leading to a try by James Garlick, a new boy who has been practicing elsewhere in town!
Ryton came back with a try of their own but this was against the run of play and there was some excellent work from the blues with great kicking from Will Todd and tough tackling from Matthys Mooij and Dylan Sharp.
All the boys were getting involved and Mowden looked the better team.
A jinking run from James put Will over for Mowden's second and then it was half time.

2-1 to Mowden Blues

Ryton kicked off the second half but it was the Blues who were putting on the pressure and great work by George Halliday lead to Will getting his second of the match.
Mowdens fourth was scored by Matthew White who touched down in the corner after a long diagonal run.
A move into the Mowden half lead to Rytons second.
James again ran over for his second and Will added a sixth following a catch from a kick in his own half followed by a trademark winding run for the line.

Full time and a deserved 6-2 victory for the Blues.

The second match was the original 'game of two halves' and a much sterner test of the boys.

Gateshead, who had already beaten the White team started the match as they had finished their last and ran in five tries without response.
This was not the blues at their best with slipped tackles and a ball that looked like it was made of soap at times. Heads were dropping and half time could not come quickly enough.

0-5 to Gateshead.

Whatever the coaches did or said at half time must have worked because the team looked much more the part in the second half.
Will Todd ran in two tries from long runs out of his own half, though a call for his foot being in touch on the first looked very close.
Gateshead replied with another try and the game was beyond saving but the boys did not give up and Jack Ryan Kennedy was put over to score by James Garlic.

Final score 3-6

There was a third match played, a 'friendly' against the Whites that the Blues won.
This match was played just as hard (if not harder) than those against Ryton and Gateshead and showed how far both teams have come in their time together.