Back
Sun 06 Nov 2011
Alton B
U13M - The Stingrays
5
14
Tries: J Rowe (2)
U13 B Team Triumph In Hard-Fought Contest At Alton
Michelle Larkin22 Nov 2011 - 21:22
Share via
After some relatively comfortable recent wins, Gosport & Fareham U13 faced a stiffer challenge when they travelled to Alton.
First to take the field were the B squad, riding high after some fantastic recent performances. The match was dominated to a large extent by strong forward play typified by man-of-the match, Matt “Curly” Freeman. Gosport got off to a flying start, with a midfield break from Ethan Carpenter taking play up to the Alton 22. The ball was taken on through the forwards, driving towards the Alton line for James Rowe to pick up and power over from close range for the first try of the match on 4 minutes. A sweetly-struck conversion from Patrick “Patch” Symington ensured the full seven points.
Gosport were off to a good start but Alton weren't about to lie down and launched some attacking phases in the Gosport half, only to be denied by some ferocious tackling, notably from Freeman and scrum-half Tom Collins. However, Alton did break through after Gosport conceded a penalty, spreading the ball out to the backs for their inside centre to score under the posts. Alton missed the conversion, which meant that Gosport held on to a 2 point lead that didn't look in danger for the remainder of the match.
The second half was a hard-fought contest but Gosport were dominant up front and strong in defence, which meant that much of the game was played in the Alton half, making it difficult for the home side to achieve any real penetration. Some strong running from Gosport, particularly from Liam Capper, kept the Alton defence busy but, for the most part, they were equal to the task and a number of handling errors from Gosport gave Alton their share of turnovers. Gosport kept threatening, though and, eventually something had to give. Another great forward drive and a carry from Carpenter brought play up to the Alton 5 metre line, Alton infringed and Curly Freeman looked set to run in for a close range try. However, the ball was held up in the tackle over the try line, Alton were penalised again and another great forward drive gave James Rowe his second try, which Patch then converted with the last kick of the match.
Gosport were off to a good start but Alton weren't about to lie down and launched some attacking phases in the Gosport half, only to be denied by some ferocious tackling, notably from Freeman and scrum-half Tom Collins. However, Alton did break through after Gosport conceded a penalty, spreading the ball out to the backs for their inside centre to score under the posts. Alton missed the conversion, which meant that Gosport held on to a 2 point lead that didn't look in danger for the remainder of the match.
The second half was a hard-fought contest but Gosport were dominant up front and strong in defence, which meant that much of the game was played in the Alton half, making it difficult for the home side to achieve any real penetration. Some strong running from Gosport, particularly from Liam Capper, kept the Alton defence busy but, for the most part, they were equal to the task and a number of handling errors from Gosport gave Alton their share of turnovers. Gosport kept threatening, though and, eventually something had to give. Another great forward drive and a carry from Carpenter brought play up to the Alton 5 metre line, Alton infringed and Curly Freeman looked set to run in for a close range try. However, the ball was held up in the tackle over the try line, Alton were penalised again and another great forward drive gave James Rowe his second try, which Patch then converted with the last kick of the match.
Further reading
Team Sponsors