Salvatorian v St James (Away)

Full report from Mr Pilkington

It must be stated, from the outset, that this is the best rugby game I have seen a St James team play in my four years here as a PE teacher. The Under 16's were a depleted year group from injuries before we even set off for north London on Wednesday. Nearly the entire back line comprised of Year 10 boys...


 

...The boys arrived remarkably calm ten minutes before the allocated kick off time due to traffic. Their referee greeted us by saying he was not  prepared to move the allocated kick-off time, so we needed to be changed and ready in ten minutes!

 

From kick off, the game was ferocious with the Under 15 lads having to knuckle down to the physicality of the year above them. Within the first 10 minutes despite frantic tackling we had too many boys in the rucks and not enough out wide enabling Salvatorian to score and convert putting us 7 points down.

 

St James responded by running hard and straight with strong running from Eugene in the centres and support running from Mark Jenkins and Justin Liu. Having played three phases, Louis received the ball on the twenty two and side stepping his opposite number he ran in a great try, making the score 7-5.

 

Salvatorian, realising that they could stretch us out wide with their strong number 11, scored but didn't convert taking it to 12 - 5 down.

 

As the game continued Justin Liu (flanker) kept the pressure on Salvatorian forcing many mistakes from their scrum half providing St James with a scrum on the 22. Through many phases up the middle of the pitch, with forwards and backs combining Mark Jenkins took the ball five metres from their line, ducked the tackler and went over for a crucial try before half time. Louis converted making it 12 - 12 at half time.

 

The boys took on the simple advice given to them, which was to take more first time tackles, fan out away from rucks if they are winning them and not to talk to the referee. At half time the mood in the team was optimistic. Somehow the boys knew that victory was within their grasp. The feeling of excitement was palpable and the endeavour and desperation shown by the lads as the second half began was fantastic.

 

Salvatorian kicked off with the clear intent of scoring quickly. After their try and conversion, this was the last wake-up call our boys needed. If anything, this was the turning point of the match. The message sent on by the subs was simple, tackle and you will win. 19 - 12 down.

 

As a teacher, this point of the game was the most memorable because the boys were on the back foot and down seven points. To compound this further there were a few decisions that went against us.  The team rallied and, at this point, Francis Sadler and Justin Liu were rucking exceptionally hard, giving the opposition messy ball and more opportunities to our runners, Orhun and Eugene. With the threat of Eugene going through them Louis kept hold of the ball rather than shipping it on and went straight through the gap dummying his opposite number and scoring in similar style to Mark's try, making it 19 - 17 down.

 

The opposition forwards finally came into the game for the first time threatening our tired pack resulting in a try to them which they kicked making it 26 - 17 down.

 

A change in tactic was needed with our forwards tiring and our big runners being tackled hard. Louis started to kick for possession providing more and more line-outs. This seemed to work as Tom McAuley came on for Mark Jenkins and started stealing a lot of their ball. The forwards gained energy and confidence from this, leading to exactly the same type of try for the third time by Louis. He went on to convert, making it, 26 - 24 down.

 

Eugene worked tirelessly stretching their team, running out of space and then finding support from Richard Crowther every time to set it up again. Eventually Eugene scored a very good try showing his strength, perseverance and character. Louis converted and we had suddenly had the lead!!!

31 - 26.

 

We worked hard to snuffle the ball and control possession ending in Francis Sadler being yellow carded and being sent off, leaving us with 14 men and 8 minutes to go.

 

The boys played hard, working our defence to breaking point. Our tactic of holding on to our lead was not working. It got worse when five minutes later (with two minutes to go) the referee shouted that there was still ten minutes to go! Despair and confusion took over and the boys started shouting in frustration and penalty after penalty was conceded.

 

The St James character that we so often talk about shone through with scuffling half breaks from Rupert Deane and Justin Liu forcing us up into their half. Eventually as we got close to their line the referee blew his whistle for a scrum to us. More phases ensued until Peter Bunce finished the game in emphatic style by brushing off some of their biggest players and scoring, making it 36 - 26 to us. (No conversion).

 

The referee signalled for the last play of the match as they kicked off. After another scrum collapsed he finally blew his whistle.

 

This is a proud moment for me as a PE teacher at St James to write this report as the true gentlemanly conduct of the lads won the day.

 

One for the memories, but now bring on the final!!!!



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