The Saxons last visited Chichester at Under 11 when they were convincingly beaten so the team were keen to know how they measured up following their recent successes. The answer came pretty quickly with the Saxons taking advantage of a narrow Chichester defence allowing Jack Adams to get round the back line and use his blistering pace to score in the corner.
Chichester remained unsettled and another concerted attack saw Josh break through and score a second try within 6 minutes. At this point the Saxons and spectators thought that the Saxons were going to break free, but Chichester showed their class, steadied themselves and fought back. They put the Saxons under real pressure and scored steadily through the remainder of the half to lead 25-10 at half time.
The match swung again in the second half with the Saxons applying all the pressure and scoring two early tries through Jack to close the gap to one try. Chichester pulled away again with a score, before Jack again closed the gap with another try. The final 5 minutes were nervy before Chichester opened the lead back to two tries to the relief of their supporters. The match finished 35-25 to Chichester.
This was a great performance from the Saxons against a team that is in the top tier of Sussex U13 rugby. The Saxons did not play their best, and yet they scored early, made some great try-saving tackles and from three tries behind at half time, fought back twice to close the score. The Saxons won the second half 15-10 which shows good resilience. There was lots of good play, our scrummaging, rucking and backs play was good at times, but our support play was lacking. Players were making breaks but the suppport play was late and the move broke down and the ball was lost. The try saving tackles were brilliant (Ben brooker and Jack) but the general tackling was not consistent enough. There were some good individual performances, Jack was dynamic in attack and defence and scored great tries. Freddie Ferson and Tom Wilson were powerful in the pack and are making a real difference at the breakdowns, well done. Ben Brooker showed sparkling pace to track back and cover tackle the Chichester winger who looked set to score, and showed real pace and aggressive intent on the wing, nearly getting away several times. He supported a break by Ollie Davis and collected a wonder pass that would have put him in at the corner but it was unfortuanately judged to have gone forwards. Either way the move and support play was brilliant and Ben was deserved Player of the Match, well done.
Well done Saxons, great performance.