BRACKNELL HURRICANES U14s V THATCHAM U14s

Bracknell Hurricanes U14A hosted Thatcham RFC U14’s on Sunday morning 8th December on Bracknell’s first team pitch. As it was a training match the coaches agreed to play three 20 minute game to allow player rotation and to try out some players in different positions.
Thatcham kicked off and within a few minutes, it became apparent that Thatcham had a well-drilled set of forwards and they drove Bracknell backwards at the set-piece and in the rucks to win plenty of possession.
Bracknell’s backs and loose forwards put the Thatcham backs under extreme pressure with good line speed and at the end of the first third Bracknell were in the lead. By dividing the match into thirds it gave both teams the opportunity to try players in different positions and combinations.

In the second third Thatcham continued the game in a similar vein and looked to use the forward to drive into the heart off Bracknell defence. The forwards and Backs from Bracknell work together and listen to the game plan to give the backs the balls on a plate so they can attack out wide. This worked well with forwards and backs linking up to score. The defence held strong and Bracknell maintained the lead.

The last game started and this time Thatcham scored first with an interception just inside Bracknell’s half. This fired Thatcham up and they continued to pressurise Bracknell’s try line. From a short tapped penalty they scored a well-worked try under the posts to reduce the deficit.

Thereafter Bracknell’s forwards began to control the rucks and lineouts and from second phase play released the ball to the backs to run in several more tries to finish the game 43-12 to Bracknell.

In spite of the score lines, Thatcham played with huge determination for most of the games gave the Bracknell forwards a lesson at the set pieces.
There were several stand out moments and not least for George L. catching the ball straight from the kick-off to run 30 metres, drawing the Thatcham left-wing in text book fashion and releasing James W on the wing to run in unopposed to score. Secondly, Harry M, playing on the right-wing to bounce off several would-be tacklers and score a superb individual try wideout and then Zach P pulled off the conversion of the season from far out to give his dad a moment to remember and all the hard work does pay off. For Sam S. and Zach P. for following up and supporting the backs on several occasions to take the last pass and score. For Charlie G. back from injury with his rampaging breaks and for Sam P. with his sheer pace to score their tries. It was a good all-round team effort but with still plenty to work on.

Bracknell’s coaches nominated prop Peter P. as their Man of the Match. Thatcham’s coaches nominated Sam G. as their choice and the Bracknell nominated the Thatcham No. 7 flanker as their choice.