Teddington U13’s 14 v Bishop’s Stortford U13’s A 26

Bathed in late September sunshine, the Blues travelled to Teddington full of hope and enthusiasm. Despite losing Will Heywood to a finger injury during the warm up, Bishop’s Stortford proudly lined up for this their first proper 15 a side match on a full size pitch.

The game started with a competitive ten minute period in which some stout defending by Bishop’s Stortford kept Teddington at bay. A series of try saving tackles by Louis Henchie and Josh Walker seemed to have kept the home team out until an interception put Teddington through for the opening try, which was duly converted.

The Bishop’s Stortford response was instant with the Blues spending the rest of the first half camped in the Teddington half. Bishop’s Stortford dominated the scrum. Sam Richardson was stopped just short, after a typically strong run, only for scrum half Jake Gleed to pick the ball up and drive over the line to score. With the resultant conversion falling just short Bishop’s Stortford trailed Teddington by 7 points to 5 at half time.

Stortford fell further behind early in the second half when they strayed off side following a scrummage allowing Teddington to crash through from the resultant penalty. With the conversion Stortford found themselves 14- 5 behind.

Once again the Stortford response was a strong one. The Blues began to move the ball out wide with wingers Max Potts and Ollie Stevenson both going close. Adam Mehmet and Harry Belton both started to assert themselves up front as David Townsend nearly put Matthew Precious through. Rhys Williams continued to make maizey runs with Louis Winfield taking the ball purposely into contact. The Blues finally scored their second try when hooker Adam Millard found Max Venville at the lineout, the second row breaking through the Teddington defence. Full back Freddy Barnet converted to reduce the score to 14-12.

Stortford took the lead when Ioan Parry picked the ball up in his own half, powering down the right wing to score under the posts. Scott Mitchell converted to put Stortford ahead by 14-19. The Blues extended their lead as their superior power and fitness started to tell. The Bishop’s Stortford pack overwhelmed the Teddington back line following a defensive scrummage allowing Ioan Parry to pick up and score his second. Scott Mitchell again converted to take the score to 14-26.

Captain Joe Radley rallied the team to repel a final 5 minute Teddington onslaught to make the final score Teddington 14 - Bishop’s Stortford 26. Bishop’s Stortford take 4 points for the win and score a bonus point for scoring four tries. The Blues face Hitchin at home on October 12th in their next match.

Team: Joe Radley (C) , Louis Henchie, Adam Millard, Harry Belton, Max Venville ( 1 try ), Adam Mehmet, Samuel Richardson, Josh Walker, David Townsend, Matt Precious, William Heywood, Jake Gleed ( 1 try ), Scott Mitchell ( 2 Cons ), Ioan Parry ( 2 tries ), Louis Winfield, Max Potts, Ollie Stevenson, Freddie Barnet ( 1 Con ), Rhys Williams.