U14s
Administrator: Spencer Smith e-mail: spencersmith100@btinternet.com
Programme for 2009/10 to be advised
Sussex U14 Development Squad 12
Eastern Counties U14 Development Squad 31
In a match played over three twenty minute periods, EC U14s took a while to get the long journey down to Haywards Heath out of their system and almost let their hosts gain a significant advantage.
The starting Sussex line up had an obvious height and weight advantage and used it to good effect, turning over possession in contact on a number of occasions. The EC midfield defence, expertly marshalled by Jonty Rawcliffe, Sam Henry Pressling and Hon Sang Lee, held firm and EC took an early lead as debutant Rupert Powell showed his sprinter’s pedigree following great work down the blind side by Ollie Timms and Matt Warren, and went over in the corner after 9 minutes. The conversion was missed.
Sussex rumbled their pack around the park probing for weaknesses, but found none with winger EC Will Davies in particular being forced into crucial tackles. When Sussex kicked deep, EC full back Freddie Henley-Hunter ran the ball back at them before switching to outside centre later in the match.
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Sussex hit back just before the first break with a try from a driving maul. The conversion was missed, leaving the score tied at 5-5 at the 20 minute mark.
EC brought on 8 replacements at the break, and went ahead when defensive pressure on halfway gave Lee possession and he tore down the blind side to score in the corner. The conversion was missed, leaving the visitors ahead by a single score at 5-10.
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Straight from the restart, Sussex applied pressure and from a kick into the EC 22 set up camp close to the try line before eventually bullying their way over from a series of driving mauls. The conversion was kicked, giving Sussex a 12-10 lead.
This was to be the last serious threat from the hosts and EC worked their way upfield and deep into Sussex territory putting first Powell and then James Travers into clear space, only to be denied by knocks on.
The EC scrummage, anchored by Hugh Watmough and Ed Fenn, was solid and Will Cox set about securing his own ball and a decent share of the Sussex put-in. From a strong attacking scrummage in the Sussex 22, Will Owen picked up and crashed over with a little help from Max Hunter and Matt Retchless, leaving Lee with a simple conversion for a 12-17 lead.
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Minutes later Owen repeated the trick, this time with support from Sam Harry and James Ellis-Saunders. Lee again made the conversion and EC were in clear water at 12-24.
This middle period was all EC and scoring opportunities came thick and fast as any of Harry Smith, Lewis Hall, James Travers, Pressling, Ollie Ewing or Henley-Hunter could have scored tries but the Sussex last ditch defence held firm.
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Having lost front rowers Henry Fenn and Calum Miller to hand and wrist injuries respectively during the first period, EC were glad to see Miller return to the fray for the final 20 minutes. Ben Moore also returned in the second row.
EC had the final word as rugged lock Sam Harry was rewarded for a solid performance with a try, with Lee adding a low conversion into the wind for final score of 12-31.
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EC U14 squad: Ed Fenn, Henry Fenn, Calum Miller, Matt Retchless, Ben Moore, Max Hunter, Matt Warren, Will Owen, Ollie Timms, Jonty Rawcliffe, Will Davies, Sam Henry Pressling, Hon Sang Lee, Rupert Powell, Freddie Henley-Hunter, Will Cox, Hugh Watmough, Sam Harry, James Travers, Lewis Hall, Harry Smith, Ollie Ewing, James Ellis-Saunders.
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