U14s vs Abbey (League)

After having to put up with the drivel written by young scribe Jason McGillivray a couple of weeks ago; it was important that Ensians put out a decent match report this week.
The title of this week’s report is a fitting tribute to two of the three Reading teams that faced each other today. Written in 1965 by the recording maestro, Otis Redding (please note – no ‘a’ either), it was a major hit for the Queen of Soul - Aretha Franklin.
Written primarily about the individual perspectives in the relationship between a man and a women; it provides a great backdrop into the takeaways from today’s fixture.
Reading Abbey are undoubtedly a team in the ascendency within Berkshire at the moment and demand a lot of respect from their opponents. Redingensians; however, have clearly turned a corner since the early season defeat to Reading, and the Rugby education they are receiving from Messrs Crocker, Espley, Perry & George on a weekly basis is clearly paying off. It was clear that Abbey left the Old Bath Road today knowing that they had been in a match and that their old foes are a lot better players than they might have been led to believe.
More importantly than any local rivalry, however, was the joy in watching 44 players being clapped through the tunnel at the end of the match by their opponents; all with huge smiles clearly visible through the dirt on their faces.
The game started with Ensians taking the ball forward and dominating possession. Despite a promising move from a line out, Ross Green was stopped in his tracks and possession lost. The game ebbed and flowed with both teams gaining, and then turning over, possession in quick succession.

The game was very much being played in the 10-12 channel and this was clearly part of Coach Crocker’s game plan. With potential threats stemming from Abbey’s back row, it was clearly a plan that was working and Abbey were being restricted to playing a tight game through the hands of their impressive pack.
A series of well-worked moves by Abbey, and penalties conceded by Ensians, resulted in the breakthrough try by Abbey. A valiant conversion opportunity was scored by the Abbey 10 which meant Ensians were 0-7 down after 15 minutes.
The game continued in similar fashion, but with Abbey starting to gain the upper hand. Some outstanding forward play by the Ensians pack was impressive to watch, and they really punched above their weight against their physically dominant opponents.
The second Abbey try was well worked after a couple of phases stretching the home defence. The final move securing the score, brought the Ensians winger off his wing to cover the gap and the ball was flipped wide for Abbey to run it in. The conversion was missed leaving the score at half-time Redingensians 0 – 12 Reading Abbey.

The second half started in a torrential downpour with Abbey taking the game to Ensians. The home team were coping admirably with the slick passing and possession from their opponents. The period of play after half-time was a good lesson from Abbey in how to retain effectively possession and carry the ball and dominate the game.
With Ensians continuing to apply pressure and battle hard, the ball was being turned over or penalties being conceded. A real highlight of our play today was how well the scrum held up against bigger players. This gave Crocker and TG time to clear their lines (which they did well under pressure); or continue to drive the ball back into the opponents from behind the pack.
With ten minutes of the second half gone, Abbey managed to secure their third and final score of the day by forcing the ball wide and breaking through our valiant defending. With the conversion missed, the game was more than likely beyond Ensians, but pride, bonus points, and the significant matter of respect was at stake.
With the game being superbly marshalled by Captain Crocker, Ensians were continuing to battle hard and more and more of the game was impressively being spent in the Abbey half. With five minutes to go, an unusual decision to kick some penalty points was taken by Ensians; and despite the opportunity to secure these with a retake, the ball stayed live and was turned over superbly well by Ben Espley. The ball was recycled and found its way into the arms of the omnipresent Ross Green. A decisive run saw this increasingly outstanding young rugby player secure a try for Ensians and put some points on the board.
With both Abbey and Ensians chasing respective Bonus points, the game continued to ebb and flow until the (I must say) excellent 17 year old referee from Bracknell blow the final whistle and bring the game to an end.
Whilst Abbey took the points today and were deserved winners; I would be surprised if they hadn’t turned up today expecting to take a bonus point too. With the smiles beaming from all of the players alluded to earlier, and the great banter prevailing between the parents and coaches from both sides, today was an excellent experience for all concerned and something that Berkshire Rugby should be proud off.
An enjoyable post-match meal and drink-off (won worryingly 3-0 by Redingensians) rounded off a fabulous day for all concerned with the two clubs, and ensured that both Redingensians and Reading Abbey went home with a lot of regained R.E.S.P.E.C.T. for one another.

Graeme Cook
4 March 2012