With many players out injured, ill or away at trials, the Gosport & Fareham under 15s A team stepped onto the hallowed turf of the 1st team pitch with a variety of experienced A team players, Saxons team guys & inexperienced lads to match Winchester.
Continuing a planned process of asking several players to step into unfamiliar positions saw many of the lads outside of their comfort zone & with new players asked to step into leadership roles it was a great opportunity to see how the lads react under pressure. Winchester provided that pressure from the start in what proved to be a match full of excitement with tries coming from all over the place for both teams. Gos took an early lead with a superb break at the breakdown, resulting in a slick touchdown after leaving several defenders sprawling. With the extras added a nice lead of 7 - 0 looked like it was to be the way of the day. Winchester were having none of it though & provided full value in swapping tries all the way to the end, all the time just staying behind Gos on points.
With 5 mins to go however, after giving themselves a little daylight, Gos allowed a Winchester try to take it to one point difference & within a couple of minutes had let them in for another! Ouch. Well played Winchester & unlucky Gosport. Final score 34 - 40.
Wally of the week award was one of the easiest decisions of the season so far. Bear lost his drill top ... again! - Twice!!! & then tried to eat his meal with 2 knives .... & also forgot it wasn't Movember any more & turned up with a 'Mo'd Mug' & no Christmas decorations.
Man of the match to Matt who had one of those days where everything he touched just seemed to go right. After opening the scoring with a lovely solo effort, he also put George C in for a beauty on the right wing & was instrumental in just about everything positive from the team in attack distribution & defence. Frankly, awesome.
2 weeks to the Quarter finals for A team & Saxons team - next Sunday, training guys, so make sure you're there!