U16M - The Eagles
Matches
Sun 29 Oct 2017
Gosport & Fareham RFC
U16M - The Eagles
Tries: R Ellis (3), A Stepnitz, D Lewis, A BurnettConversions: H Field (3)
36
32
Trojans
Tries: (6)Conversions:
Another close match for the U16s

Another close match for the U16s

Martin Burnett3 Nov 2017 - 00:46
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Just imagine what we can do if we ever get 15 players...

A beautifully crisp autumnal morning saw the long awaited (well, postponed from last week) Gosport and Fareham v Trojans match.
With just 12 players available and Trojans agreeing to field 13, and uncontested scrums due to Trojans lack of front row players, Gosport and Fareham knew they needed to make the tackles count and work hard in defence.
It looked like it was going to be a one sided affair. With barely chance for the echoes of the referee's whistle to die down, Trojans opened the scoring in the left corner after only a minute of play.
Gosport and Fareham settled down and got into their stride with the Forwards taking control in the centre of the pitch. Phase after phase Gos edged forward before releasing the ball to the Backs, out to Robert Ellis who outpaced the Trojans winger and put Gos ahead with a converted try.
The Trojans’ response took another 4 minutes. An initial break through the centre was stopped by a combined tackle from Joshua Morris and Alex Burnett before Trojans recycled the ball and started a relentless period of Forward led crash balls before finally crossing the Gos line. The conversion attempt fell just short, 7-10 to the visitors.
Robert Ellis scored again just 6 minutes later. The forwards securing the ball in the middle of the pitch before going through the hands to put Rob over for his 2nd.
After a great take by Jamie Downing from the kick off, Gosport and Fareham managed to score another try, this time from Alexander Stepnitz, side stepping through the defence before going over to increase their score by another five points. Great tackles followed by the home side; Harvey Field then managed to rip the ball back but, unluckily for Gosport and Fareham, the ball was given back to Trojans after a forward pass. Trojans won the scrum but the Gos counter rucking secured the ball and built a nice, solid platform for the scrum half. Dave Lewis stepped in and took the ball, slipped down the outside of the ruck, ducked a tackle, then ran almost ¾ the length of the pitch to put the ball down under the sticks and score, this time converted by Harvey Field.
Trojans came back fighting. Some hard defending in the Gos 22 saw Harvey Field strip the ball but the following wayward pass landed straight in the outstretched hands of a Trojans player for their third score of the game. The following conversion attempt hit the upright bringing the scores to 24-15 at the half time whistle

The second half began in the same way as the first with Trojans opening the scoring quickly with a run down the right wing. A great tackle from Robert Ellis gave enough time for the Gosport and Fareham boys to get back to defend; however, it just wasn’t enough to stop Trojans touching the ball down for their 4th unconverted score. It looked like the tide had turned. Despite some great tackling by Gosport and Fareham, Trojans slipped in another try, this time converted, just 5 minutes later to take the lead 24-27.
Ten minute into the second half and a slight fumble from Trojans, after a Gosport and Fareham penalty failed to find touch, saw the Trojans in pinned back in their 22 after a scrum with Gosport and Fareham slowly edging forwards with each phase of play. It looked like Trojans were going to weather the storm until a pick and go from the base of the ruck saw Alex Burnett slipping out of three tackles before crashing over the line right beneath the sticks. The following conversion by Harvey Field was successful. Gosport and Fareham were back in front 31-27.
Another penalty from Gosport and Fareham failed to find touch and a chasing Harvey Field collided with a Trojans player. Joshua Morris managed to get the ball back about 10m out from the try line, but the whistle had gone for a player injury.
The game then restarted with a scrum to Gosport and Fareham, followed closely with some fancy footwork skills by Alex Burnett. A pass out wide from Joshua Morris to Robert Ellis, out to Alexander Stepnitz who offloaded in the tackle back to Robert Ellis which gave him enough space to accelerate passed the stretched Trojans defence for his 3rd try of the match. Harvey Field missing the conversion but putting in a great attempt, the wind being against him however meant it drifted to the left post.
Trojans replied 10 minutes later, a break straight through the centre and the ball was moved to the wing for the last score of the match.
The game ended at a tight 36-32 to Gosport and Fareham.

Natasha Davis
U16s Match Reporter

Match details

Match date

Sun 29 Oct 2017

Kickoff

11:15

Meet time

10:00
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Main Club Sponsor - LBHS Mechanical and Electrical
MAIN CLUB SPONSOR - P A ROCHE
Club Sponsor - Precision Technical Engineering
Club Sponsor - Thermal Insulation Engineering Ltd
Club Sponsor - Trafalgar Property Consultancy
M/Y Main Shirt Sponsor - DEEP BLUE FINANCIAL Ltd
Main Club Sponsor - B&L FLOORING (UK) Ltd
M/Y Shirt Sponsor - QST Constrution Servies
M/Y Shirt Sponsor - S.I. Digital
Medals and Trophies - KATASTROPHIES