U12s v Seaford 20/11/11

An excellent day's rugby from a bumper squad with some real meaningful rugby from a few of the H&B stalwarts, and some superb play from our newer recruits. Well done to all; especially in the pre-match training and their commitment to play. 

The weather could not have been better for a days' rugby when H&B RFC hosted Seaford RFC U12s. The visitors arrived with a full U12 squad; ensuring a lot of very good rugby could be had. H&B started the morning with some standard fitness and contact drills. The coaches were impressed with the improving standard of skill and commitment shown by all players in this area, and this translated into solid match-play later on.

With 6 subs from the Seaford squad, and 5 subs from H&B, enough players were able (and willing) to form a Barbarians team so that we could have a triangle of matches. With the sun rising high over blue autumn skies, H&B took the field against Seaford for the first match. After some early exchanges of play, it was clear that the two sides were fairly evenly matched in the forward section. However, it was H&B's ability to recycle ball through the backs, and to break defensive lines, that swung the match toward the home team. Livewire scrum-half Tom Hirst took the ball from an 8-phase passage of play near the Seaford line to cross for the first score. With a little indiscipline from both sides providing lots of chances to run, it was H&B who turned defence into attack; prop Chandler Buckingham took on half of the Seaford team and nearly scored. However, from a resulting 5 metre scrum, Tom Hirst saw his chance and darted over for another score. In the second half, H&B's forward power began to tell, and Chandler got his just rewards after blitzing from close in to dive over the line. Out on the wings, lightning-quick CJ jinked through some weak defence to add a fourth. H&B finished strongly: 4 - 0

Coming straight back on, H&B took the field against the Barbarians; captained by H&B second-row Ben Green. With H&B winger Ben Gately bravely stepping up as prop for the Barbarians, the home team looked to use their greater forward power to set up platform for the backs to use width and spin the ball wide. It only took a minute for H&B Winger CJ to prove his eel-like qualities once more; slipping into the corner for a try. Despite some fairly sloppy support work in the midfield near the Barbarians' line, Chandler Buckingham found a gap to punch his way through. Another score, courtesy of returning H&B full-back Leon Carey, threatened to turn the match into a rout. However, some steel in the Baa-baas midfield, led by H&B players Jack Reed and Ben Green, manged to stem the flow. Following some good mauling near the half-way line, the Seaford-based Baa-baas fly-half stretched his legs to find room and take the ball near the corner. A grateful teammate picked and scored to bring some danger back into the game. No sooner was this done than poor positioning from the H&B defence allowed the Seaford-based Barbarians prop to power his way through the field and into the corner for a second try. As the match began to close in, an H&B penalty gave H&B captain Ronnie Doorey-Palmer the chance to "do something clever". His pop-pass to bulldozing Lee Hopkins may not have been complicated, but it gave the hooker a well-deserved try. H&B closed the game 4 - 2 winners.

In the final match, Seaford A played a first half against the Barbarians, and a second half against H&B. In the first game, expecting to brush aside the much weaker scrum, Seaford found themselves under a fair bit of pressure, and unable to bring their more well-drilled players to their best play. Great scrummaging from H&B Barbarians Ben Green, Leon Carey and Lee Hopkins, with fine midfield work from George Howard-Smith and Jack Reed, with some assured catching and kicking from winger Josh Rumble, ensure the first half ended 0 - 0. With a fired-up H&B side taking the field, Seaford changed tactics and looked to try and contain the main attacking threats. This worked, to a degree, but just allowed more time and space for H&B centre Tommy Russell to continue his prolific try-scoring run with a well-worked move. As the match drew to its closing stages, a penalty move 10 meters out gave powerhouse H&B second-row Harry Samra a chance to split the defence and smash through for a fully-deserved try. Ending the match with 2 tries and nothing conceded meant that the players could take some credit for 3 well worked wins.

Excellent play from many of the lads in several positions, with special thanks to all those who played out of position or volunteered to pull on a Baa-baas' vest. Player of the week was a tough call given the extremely hard work put in by so many of the lads, but for his ability to score tries, take on opposition and support play, H&B Winger CJ Johnson took the award. Credit also to the visiting Seaford Coaches and a fine Seaford squad, who played some determined rugby and were a pleasure to host.

Team was:

1. Chandler Buckingham / Tom Powell
2. Lee Hopkins*
3. Max Holmes
4. Owain Lusted
5. Harry Samra / Ben Green*
9. Tom Hirst*
10. Ronnie Doorey-Palmer*
11. CJ Johnson*
12. Tommy Russell
13. George Howard-Smith*
14. Stuart Chisholm*
15. Leon Carey*
16. Jack Reed*
17. Josh Rumble*
18. Ben Gately*

* denotes player also played for the Barbarians side in one of the two matches.