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Reading RAMS hit by Bracknell Hurricanes in Berkshire U13 Cup thriller
John Halley18 Dec 2018 - 22:32
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C'mon the 'Canes Match report by Ian Manners
READING RAMS HIT BY BRACKNELL HURRICANES IN BERKSHIRE U13 CUP THRILLER
Sunday 14th December
After a pitch inspection at 900am because of the heavy rain the day before, the Reading RAMS coaches decided that the pitch was in good condition and the first group game of the U13A Berkshire Cup could go ahead as planned. Unfortunately three Bracknell players dropped out through illness on the morning of the game and they were forced to start with only 12 players. It was agreed with the RAMS coaches and the referee that the scrums would be uncontested and there would be no Number 8’s.
The Hurricanes soon got into their stride and it was a crunching tackle by Rudy Smith on the RAMS big, powerful inside centre which laid down a marker for the rest of the match. It was a huge confidence boost for the Bracknell team as they had struggled in previous weeks to get their tackles in early. The Bracknell forwards soon took control of the breakdowns and laid a platform for scrum half, George Larks, to feed the backs with quick ball. Geoffrey Manners, at fly half moved the ball through the hands at almost every opportunity and with strong running by Rudy Smith and Ben Burton in the centre it gave ample opportunity for the Bracknell wings, Harrison Barter and Rufus Dibley to show their pace putting the RAMS defence under constant pressure. The RAMS defenders tackled very well and for the first ten minutes or so kept a clean score line. However it wasn’t long afterwards that big Sam Sershall went on a powerful run crashing over the line to score.
The RAMS had their moments in attack and it was Bracknell’s strong defence that kept them at bay. Another flowing move by Bracknell saw William Taverner breaking from the back of a ruck to run 30 metres to score, 10-0 to the Hurricanes.
A scything run by Ben Burton through the RAMS defence and the Hurricanes finished the half 15-0 up.
The second half started with more of the same. The RAMS inside centre who was their most dangerous player was well marshalled by the Hurricanes defenders and some strong tackling forced him to spill the ball in contact, giving Bracknell plenty of ball to recycle to their backs. James Branch, Will Evans and Seb Corley performed magnificently at the breakdowns and had several opportunities to run with ball in hand and feed the backs. Harry Mills, at full back caught any loose kicks by the RAMS and ran straight back at them, causing them all sorts of problems. Ben Burton scored his second try which was followed up by Rufus Dibley scoring his first try for Bracknell after second phase play, again from good passing by the Bracknell backs, 25-0 to the Hurricanes.
Shortly after the kick off Geoffrey put in a lovely grubber kick past the RAMS fullback and followed up kicking the ball on again for Rudy who was backing up to kick on again and score, 30-0.
With only 5 minutes left the RAMS who had battled well throughout the match scored a well-deserved consolation try, giving a final score of 30-5 to Bracknell. It was a tough match and a great all round team performance by the Bracknell boys with every one of them playing very well. Rudy Smith was deservedly awarded Man of The Match.
Sunday 14th December
After a pitch inspection at 900am because of the heavy rain the day before, the Reading RAMS coaches decided that the pitch was in good condition and the first group game of the U13A Berkshire Cup could go ahead as planned. Unfortunately three Bracknell players dropped out through illness on the morning of the game and they were forced to start with only 12 players. It was agreed with the RAMS coaches and the referee that the scrums would be uncontested and there would be no Number 8’s.
The Hurricanes soon got into their stride and it was a crunching tackle by Rudy Smith on the RAMS big, powerful inside centre which laid down a marker for the rest of the match. It was a huge confidence boost for the Bracknell team as they had struggled in previous weeks to get their tackles in early. The Bracknell forwards soon took control of the breakdowns and laid a platform for scrum half, George Larks, to feed the backs with quick ball. Geoffrey Manners, at fly half moved the ball through the hands at almost every opportunity and with strong running by Rudy Smith and Ben Burton in the centre it gave ample opportunity for the Bracknell wings, Harrison Barter and Rufus Dibley to show their pace putting the RAMS defence under constant pressure. The RAMS defenders tackled very well and for the first ten minutes or so kept a clean score line. However it wasn’t long afterwards that big Sam Sershall went on a powerful run crashing over the line to score.
The RAMS had their moments in attack and it was Bracknell’s strong defence that kept them at bay. Another flowing move by Bracknell saw William Taverner breaking from the back of a ruck to run 30 metres to score, 10-0 to the Hurricanes.
A scything run by Ben Burton through the RAMS defence and the Hurricanes finished the half 15-0 up.
The second half started with more of the same. The RAMS inside centre who was their most dangerous player was well marshalled by the Hurricanes defenders and some strong tackling forced him to spill the ball in contact, giving Bracknell plenty of ball to recycle to their backs. James Branch, Will Evans and Seb Corley performed magnificently at the breakdowns and had several opportunities to run with ball in hand and feed the backs. Harry Mills, at full back caught any loose kicks by the RAMS and ran straight back at them, causing them all sorts of problems. Ben Burton scored his second try which was followed up by Rufus Dibley scoring his first try for Bracknell after second phase play, again from good passing by the Bracknell backs, 25-0 to the Hurricanes.
Shortly after the kick off Geoffrey put in a lovely grubber kick past the RAMS fullback and followed up kicking the ball on again for Rudy who was backing up to kick on again and score, 30-0.
With only 5 minutes left the RAMS who had battled well throughout the match scored a well-deserved consolation try, giving a final score of 30-5 to Bracknell. It was a tough match and a great all round team performance by the Bracknell boys with every one of them playing very well. Rudy Smith was deservedly awarded Man of The Match.
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