Hucclecote v Old Elizabethans 30th October 2021

SQUAD INCLUDED:

Greg Foord, George Burnie, Alfie Hill, Rob Lee, Dom Horn, Will Tobin, Rhys Edwards, Ned Sweeney, Wil Patterson, Will Appleton, Luke Jagger, Alex Potts, Ben Barnett, Pat Dore, Matt Carr, Herbie Gale, Sam Hygate, and Adam Skyner.

Heavy overnight rain had cleared, to bring a bright sunny afternoon, with the Hucclecote pitch in surprisingly good condition.

MATCH REPORT

In the early exchanges, Hucclecote looked better than their league position, frustrating Es' attacks, although Es were losing possession with some unforced errors. After 15 minutes it had been all Es' possession and pressure in the Hucclecote 22, with nothing to show for it. The deadlock was broken in the 16th minute, when quick hands from centre Alex Potts unleashed Ben Barnett to steam over in the corner, 0-5 to the visitors. Next, Es drifted offside and were punished as Hucclecote kicked the penalty, 3-5. Es were controlling territory with some accurate kicking from Will Appleton, penning Hucclecote back. Unable to clear their lines a defensive kick was blocked, in the ensuing scramble Will Patterson, out wide, forced his way over the whitewash, superbly converted by Luke 'Moves Like' Jagger, 3-12.

The unlucky Ned Sweeney succumbed to a shoulder injury, Adam Skyner, who had been straining at his leash on the touchline, was brought on. George Burnie had stepped up to play hooker, in the Es 'bomb squad' front row, with Alfie Hill and Greg Foord. The dominant Es' scrummage won a scrum penalty, another 3 pointer for Jagger, to keep the scoreboard ticking over, 3-15. Great forward inter play from Dom Horn and Rob Lee created a gap for Patterson, whose inside pass gave Ben Barnett a canter to the line for another 7 pointer, 3-22, in the 35th minute. A strong run from flanker Rhys Edwards put Jagger away for another 7 pointer, 3-29 at half time.

Next, it was Es turn to defend, with Hucclecote kicking a penalty to the corner, and with a well-practised catch and drive, forced their way over for a converted try, 10-29. Jagger kicked a penalty to increase the gap to 10-32. Patterson, who had put in a great shift, was replaced by youngster Sam Hygate, who, with a huge miss pass set full back Marr Carr free for a weaving run followed by a crafty cross kick into space for Jagger, who gathered the ball and cut inside to score again, 10-39. Herbie Gale came on to replace hard working Rob Lee. Hucclecote hit back with a good score, 17-39. From another scrum, Jagger was put away to outpace the defence for his hat trick, another 7 pointer, 17-46.

The Hucclecote pack were driving forward, until busy flanker Will Tobin won another turnover, with a trade mark rip, and set off up field on the usual bulldozing run, Hucclecote players going down like skittles, before offloading to Ben Barnett , who cruised under the sticks for another 7 pointer, 17-53. To their credit, Hucclecote never gave up, and played in good spirit despite the mauling they were taking. On the attack, spreading the ball wide in Es' 22, Hucclecote dropped the ball which was hacked up field by alert winger Pat Dore, who regathered and with a burst of pace that left the turf smouldering, scorched in from 50 metres for another 7 pointer 17-60 to cap a fine all round display.

FINAL SCORE: Hucclecote 17 – 60 Old Elizabethans

SCORERS:
Tries: Jagger (3), Barnett (3), Patterson (1) Dore (1)
Penalties: Jagger (2)
Conversions: Jagger (3), Hygate (4)

The coaches will be pleased with 5 points on the road from a good all round display, despite leaving points on the field. The scrummage and lineout performed well, the forwards were winning the collisions, giving the platform that enabled the backs to score all the tries.

Another very important area, controlling the restarts, was excellent, with Adam Skyner, time and again, like a leaping salmon, claiming the drop out or kick offs, with text book catches and drives to set up front-foot ball.

Sterner tests await however, starting next Saturday with the visit of top of the table Longlevens, to Fortress Hallen. COME ON YOU Es!

Andrew Tobin

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