24 Feb 2008 - Nailsea U11's V's Bath and Wooton Bassett
Played at Bath ( no conversions )
Wootton Bassett ( u11`s) 0 - Nailsea & Backwell (u11`s) 5
Despite the scoreline this was a one way match, with N & B constantly on the attack and Wootton defending.
From the N & B kick off, which was fumbled by Wootton, N & B nearly scored as they collected the bouncing ball and through the centres got within a metre of the try line.
This set the pattern for the game, great work by the forwards kept providing quick ball for the backs although their were a few misunderstandings at the start, they were soon in top gear and tearing holes in Woottons defence with very direct running, and only last gasp tackles were preventing them from scoring, despite all the pressure the scores were level at half time.
Wootton restarted the 2nd half, and straight away they found themselves back in their own half under pressure, their tactic now was to kick to relieve the pressure. This just meant the ball was being given back to N & B to apply more pressure, the break through came after good running by the backs, a line out followed by a maul on the try line, the ball popped out loose and Sam was there to dive on it for the only try of the game. The rest of the match was played in the Wootton half but strong and defiant defence kept N & B out time and time again.
Bath (u11`s) 0 - Nailsea & Backwell ( u11`s) 15
Bath started this match and straight away N & B ran the ball back into their half, the next 5 mins was spent around the half way line as each side tried to find and work the space.
N & B got themselves settled and as they turned on the pressure, Bath resorted to a kicking game, one such kick went the length of the field and would of led to a try if not for the strong pick up by the returning backs, the forwards were soon there and the ball ran back to the Bath half, from the resulting line out and maul Sam managed to rip the ball on the blind side and "sprint" in to open the score, the half ended 0 - 5 to N & B.
N & B kicked off and instantly won the ball back, good quick work by the forwards fed the backs whose direct running took the ball within 5 metres of the Bath try line, good work again and N & B grounded the ball with George and Robbie both having hands on the ball. N & B were now in full flow and playing with confidence, and to cap of a great performance they managed to work the ball from their own 15 metre line through direct running, passing, very quick recycling in the mauls for Patrick to score, this was undoubtedly the try of the day as nearly every N & B player was involved in the move to cap off a fine team try and a great team performance.
In Today's squad were -
Forwards - Sam Johnstone, Fred Cheeseright, George Neale, Josh Rees, Jack Ballagher, Nathan Summerell.
Backs - James Cleave, Robbie Riddicks, Pete Quinn, Nathan Jones, Lewis Jones, Edward O'Malley, Patrick Askew, Jack Summerell, Alex Day, Richard Hadler, Sam Strickland.