BSRFC U13 A's (12) vs Old Albanian U13 A's (29)

In the milky February winter sunshine BSRFC met OA's in the 2015 Herts county cup. The two teams being a full division apart in the Herts & Middlesex leagues this year with OA's currently topping division 1 and our own team topping division 2.

Early pressure from OA's saw their Flanker coming around the corner and going over in the corner. The early try was was not converted for a 5-0 score line.

But it was a lead that would not last. OA's knocking the ball on in the Stortford half and with the ref playing advantage Ollie Stevenson collected the ball from the floor for a run down the left wing which was stopped only inside the OA's 22 yard line with a tackle from their No.8. Stortford regained possession shipping the ball deftly through the backs to Ioan Parry who broke the OA's line to score under the posts. The try was duly converted by fly half Scott Mitchell. The score now 5-7.

Another break on the left wing by fullback Freddy Barnet and winger Ollie Stevenson was stopped by OA's at the half way line. The turn over ball then being charged down by Max Venville. Stortford regain possession and the ball is shipped through the hands of our backs to Ioan Parry to score again on the right wing for Stortford. This time the try is not converted. The score 5-12.

There then followed a long period of forwards play and the Stortford forwards got the better of most of the Scrums with with Josh Walker and Adam Millard particularly standing out. Lot's more pressure from OA's with their outside centre going close to the Stortford line. Great work by Adam Mehmet turning the ball over and ensuring the ball was cleared to touch.

OA's continued the pressure with Stortford eventually having to touch down in their own in-goal area giving a 5-metre scrum to OA's. Their flanker picking the ball up from the scrum and scoring in the right corner. The try is not converted and Stortford lead 10-12 going in to the break.

After the restart an early chip and chase by OA's to the Stortford 5-metre line was dived upon by Storford and with OA's not allowing the player back to his feet the penalty awarded to Stortford allowed us to clear our lines.

The second half was even more physical than the first. Sam Richardson and Will Heywood providing many much needed cover tackles when OA's made breaks. Harry Belton's excellent rucking won us turn over ball on several occasions.

The score line remained unchanged until with only 10 minutes on the clock the continued pressure and better fitness of OA's began to show. Their prop making a strong run through the middle to score under the posts. The easy conversion making it 17-12.

Two more quick tries by OA's against a battle weary Stortford made the final score 29-12. A score line that belies the effort put in by Stortford and how close they took the match. There is an often used phrase in Rugby, "leave nothing on the pitch". Today our young men can feel proud that they did exactly that.