U14s B team Trophy Final v Reading at Maidenhead

Disappointing end of the competition for the Bs

This was it, the end of the cup competition, and after defeat to Hungerford and a thorough thrashing of Newbury, we lined up against Reading "B" team for the honours. Our worst fears had come true, that Reading's A match had been cancelled and we found that we recognised several of the so-called Reading B team as A players, including 2 county players, so realised this was going to be a tough morning.

From kick off we were on fire, and we camped in Reading's 22 for over 5 minutes. As it approached 10 minutes with no score the coaches were getting worried that all that pressure and territory would count for nothing. We were held up just short but secured a 5m scrum. Kyle did a quick pick and go from no.8, attacked the blindside and scored a great try on the right wing. Alex L stepped up for kicking duties and narrowly missed, but we were 5-0 to the good.

Almost immediately, Reading struck back with a try down their left wing, for 5-5. We then had a long period in the middle of the pitch, with neither team taking control, but just as Reading began to string some passes together Kyle intercepted on the halfway line and sprinted clear to touch down under the post - just staying ahead of the Reading chasers. Alex slotted the kick and it was 12-5 to us. Reading then struck again down the left wing but could not convert, so we went in 12-10 up at half time.

The second half began with two very quick Reading tries, smashing through our defence and finding gaps that hadn't been there in the first half. Both were converted and we were suddenly 12-24 down. But credit to the boys they continued to challenge and attack, and then strung together the move of the match. Multiple phases began in our half, several passes eventually slipped Kyle through a gap, and he drew the fullback perfectly to pop a pass to flying Joe AT down the left wing and scored under the posts. Henry converted and at 19-24 we were back in it!

However, Reading's power and pace eventually wore us down and they scored two late tries to win 19-36, which exaggerated their win, as most of the game had been very close. If they hadn't loaded their team, there would not have been anything between the teams, so when we play Reading RFC on Sunday 28th April as A&B fixtures, we have a fantastic chance of doing the double on them.

Bring it on..........!
by Phil Wells