Youth Rugby - U13 Fixtures & Reports

Haslemere 1st XV  7 – 29  Cobham 1st XV

Surrey League One

2 March  2008

Tries:  Galuccio (2), Burne (2), Davis

Conversions: Galuccio, Burne

A slightly depleted squad made the journey to Haslemere who were sitting in joint third place with Cobham in the league but with a game in hand.

A bright and windy morning slightly favoured Cobham from the kick off but a series of errors and intense pressure from Haslemere led to a charge down of a clearance kick on the Cobham line that Haslemere were quickest to and touched down. The conversion was duly dispatched.

It was obvious that our boys had been up late wrapping mothers day presents and had their minds on other things – going 7 – 0  however seemed to jolt some life into the team and spurred on by the Cobham mums in the crowd the pack started to get the upper hand. Good turnover ball was fed quickly to the backs and with quick hands an overlap was created for Conrad Burne to touch down in the corner.

Playing with a bit more confidence now good ball was fed to the backs who ran well but could not breach the Haslemere defence and again frustration let to an increasing penalty count against Cobham. This allowed Haslemere to relieve the pressure and take back ground that Cobham had gained with the ball in hand.

The first half ended 7-5.

A steadying team talk from head coach Stuart Davis had the boys focused from the kick off and within 5 minutes a pressure relieving kick from Haslemere was caught by “The Argentine Express” Matias Galuccio at 15 who ran strongly through the Haslemere backs to touch down under the posts. He converted his own try.

With Cobham now dominant in the contact areas a blind side move in Haslemere’s 22 led to Galuccio’s second try in the corner.

Haslemere then began a fight back – the Cobham mums were happier (not quite sure why this was, sense of fair play ! – ed) – and good hard and straight running in multi-phases had Cobham on the back foot for a period before Cobham turned over Haslemere ball on the half way line and kicked into space. The chasers managed to slow the Haslemere 15 enough to line him up for the big hitting back row of  Nick Mays and  Peter Chicken to force him to spill the ball. Joe Davis was on hand to pounce on the loose ball and touch down.

Haslemere’s resurgence was duly quashed and Cobham were playing with great confidence with some free flowing passing in the backs which led to a try under the posts for Conrad Burne which he also slotted for the extra 2 points.

The game finished 7 -29 – a good day at the office for the Under 13’s. Special thanks to Will Radford the powerful number eight who travelled back from Millfield for the game.   

Chris Manning (special correspondent)

Players view (Joe Davis)

1st Half

Initially Haslemere placed Cobham under huge pressure with great use of the centres looping in attack to create the overlap together with good work in keeping possession by their forwards, within 5 mins they were 5m off the Cobham line with a Cobham put in. Despite winning the ball, the defensive kick was charged down and Haslemere grounded for a try which they then converted. 7-0. Cobham needed to get them selves to gather and use the ball from strong forward work and this is how they returned following the conversion. After 10 mins or so following a mid-field scrum Sexton produced a great kick to touch about 10 metres from the Haslemere line, our forwards turned over the ball in the line out and quick passing got the ball to wing where Burne used his speed and agility to score in the corner. The conversion was missed so Cobham were 7-5 down at half time.

2nd Half

After a tight and difficult 1st half Cobham really found their feet with the forwards winning nearly all line out, scrum and ruck ball. They used several key forwards in really penetrating the Haslemere defence and then released quick ball through the backs to secure further tries, 2 from Galuccio and a further from Burne. Haslemere had no answer to this and started to panic, kicking the ball to Cobham at nearly every opportunity. It was one such kick that saw Galuccio blast down the wing and punt the ball back to their 15 and tackle him as he received it, this lost ball was picked up by Davis who fought through the defence to score the final try of the match.

Final score 7-29.

Overall a good, solid performance with the forwards securing loose ball, winning the line outs and putting huge pressure on the Haslemere pack. The half backs used the kick and pass to really increase the pressure to which Haslemere could not respond. The backs used the ball to great effect and great speed from the wingers and full-back made sure of a great win. Cobham needed to not panic in the early stages and once they got settled they really showed how good they were.

The Haslemere coach stated after the match "Cobham are the best team that they have played this season" and we agree!!!