20 Oct 2007 - Nailsea u17's match report v's Tor
Half term unavailability forced the visitors to field a side missing many regulars, however several U 16?s were drafted in and fully stepped up to the mark. In perfect conditions, the Ravens early pressure forced a line out on the Tor 5 metre line. Alert hooker Tom Fletcher charged down an attempted clearance kick and fell on the ball for the opening score. Fly half Ross Pearce kicked intelligently to keep Tor pinned back in their half and the Ravens forwards were dominating the loose play, a 50 metre driving maul being particularly impressive. However a turnover on half way gifted possession to Tor, who had the pace run in a try under the post, duly converted to give Tor a 7 ? 5 lead at half time.
Tor opened the second half strongly, forcing a penalty which was converted to give a 10 -5 lead. The Ravens were reduced to 14 men when fullback Ali O?Connor was forced off with a knee injury, wingers Laurence Townsend and Jamie Sullivan worked extra hard in attack and defence, chasing and tackling superbly. Back row Lewis Appleby?s break made good ground, eventually forcing a 5 metre attacking scrum, from close range the forwards were not to be denied and number 8 Pete Hamlin grounded the ball for a try converted by Pearce, the visitors taking a 10 ? 12 lead.
Quick hands by scrum half James Tobin put centre Chris Quinn away, the move was cut short by a high tackle on Hamlin resulting in a flare up between the sides with the penalty being reversed in favour of Tor. A good attacking move resulted in a fine try for Tor, converted to give the home side a 17 ? 12 lead, and 4 minutes remaining. An attacking lineout on the home 22 was won in textbook style by Will Richardson, props Sean Marks and Tom Carter instigated an unstoppable drive, the full 22 metres with Hamlin once again touching down, Pearce narrowly missing the difficult conversion.
An exciting game, enjoyed by the spectators, with the lead changing hands four times. The Ravens, with 14 men, showing strength of character to come back and snatch the draw, a great effort by every member of the team.
Tor opened the second half strongly, forcing a penalty which was converted to give a 10 -5 lead. The Ravens were reduced to 14 men when fullback Ali O?Connor was forced off with a knee injury, wingers Laurence Townsend and Jamie Sullivan worked extra hard in attack and defence, chasing and tackling superbly. Back row Lewis Appleby?s break made good ground, eventually forcing a 5 metre attacking scrum, from close range the forwards were not to be denied and number 8 Pete Hamlin grounded the ball for a try converted by Pearce, the visitors taking a 10 ? 12 lead.
Quick hands by scrum half James Tobin put centre Chris Quinn away, the move was cut short by a high tackle on Hamlin resulting in a flare up between the sides with the penalty being reversed in favour of Tor. A good attacking move resulted in a fine try for Tor, converted to give the home side a 17 ? 12 lead, and 4 minutes remaining. An attacking lineout on the home 22 was won in textbook style by Will Richardson, props Sean Marks and Tom Carter instigated an unstoppable drive, the full 22 metres with Hamlin once again touching down, Pearce narrowly missing the difficult conversion.
An exciting game, enjoyed by the spectators, with the lead changing hands four times. The Ravens, with 14 men, showing strength of character to come back and snatch the draw, a great effort by every member of the team.