Under 14's

Handsworth RUFC

Fixtures

Handsworth U14's 0 v 50 Stafford U14's

On a fine autumnal Sunday Handsworth's U14 warrior like players faced their biggest test to date against the might of Stafford RUFC. With conditions good for running rugby captain Ryan Lilly won the toss and Handsworth elected kick off and play up their famous slope

Starting brightly direct from the kick off Handsworth flanker Bobby stole the ball, however Stafford were quick to readjust and counter rucked to regain possession. For the next 10 minutes the pendulum swung back and forth with a period of messy play and rushed decisions. This resulted in the first scrum of the day in which the powerhouse Handsworth forwards pushed Stafford back the permitted 1.5 metres and could have easily taken them further if allowed. Early dominance in the scrum did not give Handsworth the breakthrough they so deserved and from a dropped pass the Stafford centre reacted quickest and broke to score a simple try which was converted (SCORE 0-7)

Again from kick off Handsworth worked the ball and Stafford again knocked on. This bright start gave out to a period of scrums and further rushed play with neither side really clicking into 2^nd gear. Stafford's extra fitness and experience was beginning to tell and Handsworth did well to keep Stafford out and it was only brave tackling from Connor and Rhys in the centres which kept the score down.

A kick down field from outside half Eamonn was gathered by the Stafford No.15 who sent up a huge Gary Owen which was bravely caught mid air by Irish and from which a Handsworth counter attack was launched with the ball fed to winger Ed who turned on the afterburners and was off only to be taken out with an illegal tackle. The resulting penalty was kicked out for a Handworth line out which was won with ease by second rower Alex however a stray pass and a questionable ref call for holding on gave Stafford a penalty in front of the Handsworth posts which was put over (SCORE 0-10).

With 5 minutes of the first half left and from the kick off Stafford received the ball recycled it and strung together a couple of passes. A missed pass gave their winger an easy try for which the conversion was missed and the ref's whistle signalled the end of the half (SCORE 0-15)

The second half saw a few changes to the Handsworth side with Joe coming on for Irish at fullback and Jack coming off for Elliot on the wing. Obviously frustrated by their performance Stafford also made some changes and brought on several massive boy giants whose wives and children were we can only assume probably at home.

The second half resulted in more one way traffic with Stafford using their fitness and size to trundle over for 3 more tries in a short period (SCORE 0-36).

Handsworth picked themselves up and took the fight back to Stafford and camped out on their line for 10 minutes but just couldn't convert this pressure into points with Stafford's defence holding fast a knock on returned the possession to Stafford whose fullback sent a speculative punt down field which wasn't gathered cleanly due to an unfortunate bounce and resulted in a knock on. From the scrum the Stafford no.8 broke and passed out to the winger who stepped round 2 players for a try. (SCORE 0-43)

Handsworth were now beginning to run out of steam against their opponents who were starting to show that they had been together for sometime with good understanding between the players.

Handsworth's forwards keep going at the remaining scrums and lineout's and the backs, marshalled by Adam Bell, kept their defensive shape and all players tackled hard and attempted to create possession to attack however fatigue had crept in and from a ruck at which Handsworth were sucked in to the breakdown the Stafford backs launched one last attack from which the scored and converted. (FINAL SCORE 0-50)

The final score doesn't reflect the effort or play by Handsworth and there were positives all around the pitch.

Handsworth now have to get back to training and pick themselves back up for a trip to Spartans on the 16^th November.

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