U15 Division 1 Herts County Cup Semi Final

Bishop’s Stortford A – 8 v Old Albanians A - 15 20th March 2011

Bishop’s Stortford Under 15A lost on Sunday in another fantastic game of rugby. The injury ravaged Stortford team had 16 players to select from but were able to dominate Old Albanians right from the kick off. More dynamic at the rucks, more penetrating in attack and more physical in defence, Stortford where far the better side in the first period. The OA backs were reduced to running back into their forwards as they repeatedly failed to make the gain line This dominance was typified when their outside half ran backwards, in circles, looking for a forward to pass to... Stortford were well on top.

After 20 minutes the home scrumhalf Ed Tinney, from a scrum on the OA 10meter, went down the blindside drew the defence, chipped through superbly for paceman Ali Moor to chase down and score a terrifically well crafted try. The halftime score did not reflect the dominance Stortford had over the opposition.

U15 - 5 v OA - 0

The second period started out more evenly as the OAs regrouped. They persisted with their forward based attacks. ‘Standard ball!’ was the repeated call from their scrum half, pick and drive, pick and drive. The commitment of both teams in the attack and defence was immense but this pressure wore the under strength Stortford down. Fresh legs were brought on in their pack, Stortford were not able to dominate like they did in the first half and from a penalty OAs rumbled in to score an unconverted try.

Stortford rallied bravely and attacked again. From the boot of Alex Axon we drove into OA territory. A penalty was awarded and duly converted by fly half Axon. This was not going to be enough to secure the win and the place in the final. As the pressure built and built on the Stortford line, for the third game in succession, the winning scores were conceded in the final minutes.

It has to be said that the performances of the whole team will live long in the memory of all that watched, the skill, the tackling and commitment from every Stortford player was faultless. The O’Malley brothers, Frazer Barnes, Tom Shepherd are players that don’t steal headlines but they are they are the engine room of the squad and without them we would not stand a chance. The midfield of Axon and Calum Docherty gave variety and inventiveness and the pace of Jack Baker was much in evidence. We just dont have the strength in depth.

Team : Jordon Moorby, Will Moore, Fraser Barnes, Mac O’Mally, Jago Madsen, Finn O’Malley, Calum Trendell, Brad Moreton, Ed Tinney, Alex Axon, Cal Docherty, Jack Baker, Ali Moore, Charlie Stewart, Ted Treble, Cameron Hugo, Tom Shepherd, Alex Marnell, Johna Lovell, Ben Law.