Exeter Saracens Rugby Club, Exeter, Devon

Match Reports

24th February 2008

 

Exeter Saracens U10's (20 -v- 25) Newton Abbot U10's

This was a really exciting game of rugby with neither side being able to exert dominance over the other. Newton Abbot were a bit short on numbers so the Sarries lent them a couple of players to make up their number. Sarries had the early momentum with some good driving play from George Bishop and Tommy Wright leading to tries for Callum Ditchburn and Charlie Percival. However, Newton Abbot had substantial advantage in the size of their forwards and they took advantage of this driving over from a line out just before half time.

Sarries changed over several players at half time and they looked a little lightweight in comparison to the away side. However, the game was still very even with both sides battling hard for possession and territory. Newton Abbot scored first to level the scores, Sarries then took the lead again with a mazy run from Morgan Rosser. The away sides power was beginning to reap its reward with one of their forwards crashing through for another try. Rosser then treated the crowd to the moment of the match with a spectacular try, running through the whole of the Newton Abbot side to touch down and give the Sarries the lead again. Despite excellent defensive work the Sarries were unable to prevent the Newton Abbot side pushing their way over again to level. The final moments were frantic with both Shay Mcniffe and Charlie Pike going agonisingly close for the Sarries but the away team had the last word with a good winning try from their scrum half. Excellent entertainment, well done to both teams.

 

Newton Abbot U11's (57 -v- 27) Exeter Saracens U11's

Exeter Saracens played a very strong All Whites side over 3 20 minute sections the first 2 of which saw Newton score 3 converted trys in each period making the score 42 0 at this time.The third period saw the Saracens pack work well in both the scrums and line outs which the visiting scrum half Harvey Ridgeway capitalised on by opening their score with a break from the rear of a scrum to dot down this try was conveted by Full Back Joe Winsor. The other saracens try scorers were Fly Half Ben Brown wing man of the match Jake Herbert centre Harrison Elliot and hooker Levi Shepherd. Newton scrored 2 further trys to make the final score 52 27.

 

Newton Abbot U12's (0 -v- 56) Exeter Saracens U12's

Team:

1) Ross Watts 2) Laurence Parker 3) Theo Thomson 4) Joe Embury 5) Steven Gill 8) Jack Hamlyn 9) Dominic Ditchburn 10) Alex Evens 12) Owen Mugford 13) Fionn Wright

11) James Tancock 14) Joe Parker 15) Will Haigh

Replacements Chris Bayliss, Seb Mould, Tom Pugsley

Sarries were going to thunder to an extremely impressive victory in the first match with every player linking well and fully involved with all phases of the game. Newton Abbot's strengths lay in their mauling but Sarries battled hard to control this element and despite the whites setting up and implementing several rolling mauls Sarries marshalled them well. Steven Gill, Laurence Parker and Jack Hamlyn all bossed and ripped the ball where required. The powerhouse in the front line of Ross Watts, Laurence Parker and Theo Thomson fronted up well to Newton Abbot and despite some niggle with their front row, stabilised the scrums.

Sarries linked so well off of the set pieces and used their possession so well. The decision making of the partnership of Dominic Ditchburn at Nine and Alex Evens at Ten was crucial to the clinical way with which the whole Sarries side was able to scythe through the Newton Abbot defence again and again. With the centre partnership of Owen Mugford and Fionn Wright combining well then there was always a break that kept Newton Abbot on the back foot. Sarries were trying things at speed and it was a joy to watch as both wingers, James Tancock and Joe Parker launched themselves endeavouring to connect at pace. The lines ran and confidence that oozed was true credit to the whole squad.

Will Haigh at full back was tested a couple of times with long kicked balls out of defence by Newton Abbot but his composure ensured that Sarries were able to run the ball back out of defence. Again with the ruck secured then the next phase was able to be unleashed. Good work in the tight from Joe Embury and Seb Mould took the ball on making a few more yards and then setting it up again almost as a stalling technique whilst the rest of squad reorganised themselves professionally behind him.

Newton Abbot, despite the final score line and also the game being offered when considered to be out of reach, never gave up and did not let their heads drop. Sarries had to defend from even behind their own try line on two occasions from typical powerful rolling mauls. The coolness with which the whole squad got behind the drive and then once the ball was secured readjusted themselves and confidently ran the ball back out, kicked and chased. Steadfast defensive tackling from Tom Pugsley and Chris Bayliss ensured that any Newton Abbot play was quickly shut down.

When the end did come, Newton Abbot had been well beaten in nearly all aspects of the game. Excellent communication between all of the Sarries players and the complete package that afforded them so much possession was not wasted. Even when the play didn't come off, the players seemed to learn from the breakdown and take the game on further to try again.

Tries came from Joe Parker (x2), Alex Evens (x2), Steven Gill, Theo Thomson, Fionn Wright and Will Haigh. Conversions all successful from Jack Hamlyn (x3), James Tancock (x3), Ross Watts (x2)

Sarries Man Of The Match – Laurence Parker for his grit, aggression and determination to get around the park and get involved wherever he could using superb mauling skills ripping balls and the wonderfully timed offload out the tackle to set up Gill's try.

(Final Score – 0-56)

Newton Abbot U12's (14 -v- 7) Exeter Saracens U12's

Team:

1) Ben Clapshaw 2) Laurence Parker 3) Jack Price 4) Adam Tregedeon 5) Joe Embury 8) Seb Mould 9) Joe Street 10) Tom Pugsley 12) Jon Bardot 13) Elliot Samuels

11) Oliver Griss 14) Max Street-Mellor 15) David Kittow

Replacements Jack Hamlyn, Joe Parker, Steven Gill, Theo Thomson

Owen Mugford aided Newton Abbot by pulling on a white shirt and taking up the full back position for the opposition. Three Cheers!

Sarries were hit initially by a Newton Abbot team who were in full flow and fired up from the previous match. Two quick converted tries in the first half certainly bought Sarries around to the task in hand. Suddenly Sarries seemed to get a whiff of the smelling salts and the play was fairly and squarely back with the new set of battling Sarries players. Fearless scavenging on the ground for the loose ball from Adam Tregedeon and Jack Price made sure that play was secured for Sarries. With the first players at the breakdowns often being the scrum half, Joe Street and fly half Tom Pugsley, then they were quite often dragged into the initial stages of securing the ball. This done meant that substitute three quarters had to step in to distribute the ball. Elliot Samuels made good the situations along with help of the arriving forwards. Good low drives from Ben Clapshaw, Seb Mould and Joe Embury took play on further. Laurence Parker put himself about in his acquired fashion ripping, prising and burgling balls in the mauls with his aggressive play. Jon Bardot looked the complete centre as he ducked and dived in and out of tackles whilst making extensive yardage with ball in hand.

On the defensive side, after the initial lapses, Sarries stepped up to tackle as they all knew they could. Well executed tackles from Tregedeon, Pugsley and Samuels were all notable. Newton Abbot began to feel the pressure and resorted to the kicking game which meant that full back and wingers were put under pressure. David Kittow was confident at full back and cleared up in a decisive fashion taking the play back into the faces of the advancing Newton Abbot players. Good support from Oliver Griss along with several of his promising runs and growing awareness of the positions responsibilities ensured that there was no way through for the white shirts. On the other wing, Max Street-Mellor grew in stature with good clear ups of cross field kicks and defensive tackles which kept Newton Abbot at bay.

On the attack again it wasn't until the second half that Sarries pulled a try back with Jon Bardot powering over the line. Jack Hamlyn converting meant that the game was still there for Sarries to take. Good runs from Pugsley, Price and Theo Thomson pressurised the Newton Abbot line but there seemed to be no way through. Still having to defend against the breakout from Newton Abbot, Hamlyn, Steven Gill and Joe Parker all found their tackling services being called into action.

Sarries finished on the attack but could not pull off the equaliser before the final whistle went.

Sarries Man Of The Match was Jon Bardot who did a lot of work defensively, ran the ball well out of defence into attack and put Newton Abbot on the back foot for the rest of the squad to eagerly run on to.

(Final Score – 14-7)

 

Topsham U13's (12 -v- 26) Exeter Saracens U13's

Topsham and Exeter Saracens met in the last eight of the Devon Plate competition on Sunday and produced a thrilling game of contrasting styles.

Topsham started the game with all guns blazing. Their forwards making territorial gains and their backs moving the ball swiftly out to both flanks as they probed for openings in the Saracens defence. On three occasions they broke the initial line only to be halted by covering tacklers. It was entirely in keeping with the run of play when Topsham opened the scoring with a try out wide on the left wing. Sarries rallied from the restart but nerves seemed to get the better of them and a number of handling errors returned the initiative to their hosts. Topsham continued to play exciting rugby and would have added to their lead before half time but for a dropped final pass. Further determined tackling ensured that Sarries reached the turn around with just a five point deficit.

The second half brought a reversal of fortunes as it quickly became clear that the Topsham pack were tiring as a result of their first half exertions. The more mobile Saracen's forwards began to win more ball in the loose and drive their opponent back in the scrums. After five minutes, Flanker Steve Ashford secured the ball at a maul on halfway and broke clear. He just managed to score beneath the posts as the Topsham tacklers converged. James Slater added the extra points.

Not to be outdone, Topsham stormed back and regained the lead when their backs again passed the ball along the line for their right wing to arc outside his marker. The try was converted to restore Topsham's five point advantage. Topsham again pressed forward but missed another scoring opportunity with a dropped pass. Sarries cleared their lines with a fine kick to touch and from that point on, took control of the game. The Sarries forwards drove down the right touchline, recycling the ball from a series of rucks and mauls before Marcus Garratt dived over from short range. With the conversion missed, the scores were tied.

Saracens now had their tails up and sought to press home their advantage. More strong forward play took them into the Topsham 22, where Sarries hooker, Isaac Winyard, who had won several scrums against the head, repeated the trick. From the resulting break, Steve Ashford charged through to give Sarries the lead wide on the left. Theo Miller curled in the long range conversion.

With time running out, Topsham were forced to chase the game. In an attempt to create space, they threw a speculative pass which failed to reach its intended target. Theo Miller swooped onto the loose ball and sprinted clear to put the result beyond doubt. With the try converted, the final score was Topsham 12, Sarries 26.

The match was played in good spirit with both teams playing to their strengths. It is unfortunate that two such strong end entertaining teams should meet this early in the competition as this contest would have been worthy of the final itself.

 

Exeter Saracens U14's (19 -v- 12) Derby RFC U14's (Touring)

Derby rugby club under 14's played a 3 match tour over the weekend and played the final match of that tour at Exhibition fields againstat Saracens. Both sides had large squads available which meant all players from both sides were able to play at least ahalf each. Derby started well with both packs of forwards engaging their oposites numbers with some gusto. From their frirst attack Derby ran the ball wide and were able to release one of their speedy wingers who jinked his way over the line and scored under the post for the visitors. The conversion was added to give Derrby a 7-0 lead. From the resatart Saries turned the ball over and went on the attack. The home forwards began to out ruck their visitors and following several good off loads in the contact area Alec Wheatley broke clear to score under the post. Sam Gibbins added the conversion to tie the scores at 7 all. For the remainder of the first half both sides attacked when ever they could and were well committed  in defence. Sarries appeared to be gaining the upper hand in the forward but Derby looked dangerous when they attacked through their backs. Following a period of pressure from the visitors they scored again to lead 12-7 at the interval.

The second half continued as the first had ended with both sides playing good attacking rugby and showing committed defence. After a fine period of attack by the home side when they came close to scoring several times but were denied by the strong tackling of their visitors, Wheatley again made a break and put in a well timed pas to Jake Boatfield who went over in the corner to level the scores at 12 all. This got the home sides tails up and they continued on the offensive with Derby counter attiackng when they could. After a period of extended presuure by the home side Will Bottrell was able to slip his tackler and score under the post. Gibbins added the conversions to make the final score Saracens 19 - Derby 12. All players from both sides contributed to what was an excellent game between two well match sides. Sarries man of the match was Alec Wheatly.

 

Tavistock U15's (39 -v- 10) Exeter Saracens U15's

A injury ridden Saracens managed to scrape a side together in this half term match. The lads made a very good account of themselves but could not stop Tavistocks big fast backs. Marcus Miller and George Greenwood powered through to score a try a piece after multiple phases of forward play.

 

Honiton U16's (36 -v- 19) Exeter Saracens U16's

Hoorah!  At last we see a game of rugby. I suspect a few strong words have been said during training to gee the lads on following a series of defeats.  This week all the lads played as a team and played a decent game of rugby.

The first half was very even and despite the score Sarries were the dominant side in terms of phases won and territory gained.  That said fair play to Honiton who played well and took a couple of chances to run from the half way line to leave Sarries ' defence in their wake.  Good handling of the ball with few dropped passes , good rucking and excellent line outs allowed Sarries to keep control of the ball and gain ground.  Honiton ' s defence was strong and very difficult to break down ; at one point you ' d have thought it was a repeat of the France v England last two minutes with the backs playing phase after phase after phase to go over for a try, so it was for Sarries ' Jordan Owen who eventually got the ball over the line for a try which Ory Sharland converted.

The game swung to Honiton who regained the lead with an unconverted try but Sarries kept their heads and continued to play well as a team.  Shortly before half time Ory Sharland broke through Honiton ' s defence to run in for a second try which unfortunately he couldn ' t convert.

Second half saw Sarries playing up the slope with the same team spirit and willingness to play.  Again for much of the first twenty minutes Sarries spent in the Honiton half, with them controlling their rucks and winning the line outs.  However, Sarries couldn ' t stop the excellent breaking runs by their backs which if unstopped resulted in their tr ies.   Sarries kept plugging away putting pressure on the Honiton lads to good effect and eventually it paid off with Jack Lander keeping his head down and driving for ward put the ball down for a try with his outstretched hand.  Again Captain Ory Sharland stepped up to convert for the extra points.   The last fifteen to twenty minutes saw Honiton control the game and spend a lot of time trying to complete their advance over the last ten to fifteen metres.  Several Scrums which Sarries managed to keep under control, kept the pressure on Sarries.  Clearances to touch at the half way, were soon taken back towards the Sarries try line . Sarries defence held out for most of the time, except almost inevitabl y, a try was made by Honiton.

All in all a good game of Rugby.  Sarries were beaten by a good side who took their chances.  A little tightening up of the defences and stronger tackling from all players and it would certainly have been a better score line for Exeter Saracens.  Well done to each member of the team who all played their part this week to make a game of it.