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BACK TO BACK LEAGUE WINS FOR U13s

BACK TO BACK LEAGUE WINS FOR U13s

Tracey Spuyman5 Dec 2014 - 09:31
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The second round of Under 13 league matches saw Horsham play host to Haywards Heath U13s

with both sides having recorded good wins from their opening fixtures to put them first and third respectively. The sides have been fairly evenly matched over the last couple of years and, given the ease with which Horsham had beaten Eastbourne in their previous match, Heath were expecting a tough encounter against a highly competitive outfit with a big set of forwards.
From kick off Heath were quickly into their stride dominating territory and crucially winning the battle at the breakdown. Despite Horsham's larger pack, as the game unfolded Heath created a platform to show the pace of their backs. Just 5 minutes into the game the Heath three quarters were quickly onto a kick through with the ball picked up by outside centre Hugo Cordeschi to score. Unlike the start of their previous league game, Heath were showing no sign of being ring rusty and tore back into Horsham from the restart with all the rugby being played in their opponents’ half. Another kick through and good interplay between the backs led to another chase and score for Cordeschi to take the score to 10-0 after 9 minutes.

Heath continued to snuff out any attacks from the home side with some quick and decisive rucking that generated decent ball for the backs who in turn were able to keep turning the screw by maintaining their pace in attack. Although the backs looked dangerous with every attack, the next score came from the Heath pack who turned over possession allowing Rhys Jones to pick up and drive through the Horsham tacklers with an unstoppable leg pumping burst to touch down taking the score to 15-0. Horsham had no answer to the Heath pressure and further good field possession led to what appeared a further try from a 5 metre scrum, although the referee ruled that the ball was touched down short of the line.

The red and blacks reached half time three tries to the good and looked to have matters well in hand. The second half started as the first had left off with Heath attacking the Horsham line and it was only a couple of minutes into the half before the Heath U13s were on the board again, this time with full back Rafe Liebers scoring to make it 20-0. Heath showed the depth of their squad by emptying their bench and using fresh legs to keep their opponents on the defensive. Crisp passing through the backline taking the ball wide gave enough space for Owen Ratcliffe to beat his winger on the outside before cutting in to score. Cordeschi added the two points to make it 27-0. Frustratingly for the coaches the team took their foot off the gas a little after this score and a series of small mistakes and over-casual use of the ball let Horsham in for a converted try which lifted the home side’s spirits. Momentum had changed and Horsham came back into the game, launching a number of attacks into the Heath 22 which the visitors managed to keep out.

Despite Horsham's pressure it was Heath who were to score next with the ball flying down the back line to winger Ratcliffe who turned on the burners and went around his opposite number, beating the full back to score his second of the day. Horsham were not finished however and further slips in concentration from Heath let Horsham in for two consolation tries, with the ball being fly hacked through and touched down by their speedy three quarters making the final score 32-19. A solid victory for Heath but still plenty for U13 Head Coach Glen Jones and his team to work on with the squad to iron out the little mistakes that may make all the difference in the tough games ahead. The next league fixture sees Heath play host to Jersey, who are also unbeaten, on Sunday 14th December at Whiteman’s Green.

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