Team sheet -
Forwards -
Front Row - Oscar Murphy (scrum capt), Liam Lineham, Tom Rotherham
2nd Row - Cameron Barber, Joseph Kusnyer
No 8- David Davenport
Backs -
Scrum half - Sam Davies
Fly Half - Chris Ray
Inside centre - Jack Robinson (back capt and team capt)
Outside centre - Thomas Chia
Left Wing - Callum Doherty
Right Wing - Leon Taylor
Full Back - Louis Townsend
We had exactly thirteen players and were up against a squad of about 25 odd - daunting odds to start with, but it only goes to show that numbers count for anything !!
We went down to an early try within the first 2 or 3 minutes but the lads rallied back and Cameron Barber scored a terrific try which came from sustained pressure. Try converted so end of first half score was 7-5.
Second half started similar to the second with A-U-L scoring an early try. A-U-L didn't have their kicking boots on and they failed to convert for the 2nd time. Bolton were starting to lose shape in the scrum and lost quite a few balls against the head when we were shoved back. A-U-L looked good for their 3rd try but it was disallowed due to an illegal hand off. Bolton were pushed back to their try line, but were able to break out thanks to a quick thinking punt up field from Cameron Barber turned the pressure round. More so, excellent following up from Jack Robinson lead to Bolton's 2nd try and the score was 14-10.
More pressure in the scrum unfortunately lead to a neck injury to Cameron - play was stopped and quite rightly an ambulance was called. After discussion with the A-U-L coach, we decided to abandon the game agreeing on honours even.
I spoke to Cameron's dad later in the afternoon and he had precautionary x-rays. No definitive injury was found, but he is likely to be out for next 2 games.
As a coach, it is always difficult to pick individual players out following such a team performance, but it has to be done (PLEASE MAKE SURE THE TROPHIES COME BACK THIS SUNDAY):
Man of the Man - Jack Robinson for leadership, tackling and an excellent try
Tackling - David Davenport
Coach's awards for contribution - Oscar Murphy for excellent line out work, Liam Lineham who faced up to much bigger players, Louis Townsend for playing out of position at full back and think we might be able to convert him from the forwards !!! Leon Taylor for sticking at it through out the game.
Injury award - Cameron Barber who gets to keep the shirt that the ambulance medics cut off him !!
Thanks also to Karen Robinson for supplying the half time oranges.
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