Gwent U15’s Match Report
By Dragons Lewis Evans
A confident Welsh side off the back of an extensive victory in Abergavenny travelled over the bridge to be welcomed to a Bristol District team which has a reputation for being a difficult side to beat. Fulton Collage was the stage set to host the encounter, which was a fixture that had only been arranged officially with days in advance with limited preparation.
Jimmy Norris, backs skills coordinator commented: “We originally planned the November month to be a skills and conditioning period to make significant gains for the players individual development, however the opportunity to test their skills in England against a formidable opposition is hard to turn down.”
The Gwent side made several changes to the last game, resting individuals from the previous game, allowing others opportunity to put their hand up and force their way into the starting line-up.
Norris commented on the strength in depth: “The 30 man squad is a great environment to be involved in and the decisions of who to involve for each game is getting very difficult.”
They were however presented with a problem at scrum half, but Peter Davies has been called back into the squad to try and steak his claim of the jersey that was once his.
The game provided everything emotionally as the momentum continuously shifted from the persistent home side who managed to score a penalty first after the opening 15 minutes.
3-0 remained the score for a significant part of the game even as mounted pressure from the Gwent side was met with stiff resistance from the Bristol outfit.
Once again the pack had a monumental performance in the scrum, driving the Bristol eight off their own ball at the scrum on several occasions.
A significant change in both the attacking and defensive lineout was also noticeable. Hooker Dan Goode, put in a mammoth performance in the tight and the loose with ball carrying and offensive tackling that placed doubt in each of the Bristol ball carriers.
James Johnston repeated his performance from the previous game as he was the cornerstone to the set piece and incredibly aggressive at the contact breakdown. With this advantage the back line were able to create some chances, but all were squandered before amounting to anything.
Skipper Neil Martin proved cool under pressure on occasions and classy centre Luke was a treat whenever he had ball in hand.
A change in tactics at half time immediately proved the key as the pack took control of the game by demonstrating powerful running into the heart of the defence breaking the opposition down at every phase.
Ryan and influential no.8 Dave broke tackles and made the ground that was much needed. Substitute Hayden proved a major difference in the territorial game with contextual decision-making and accuracy that years beyond his experience.
The shift in momentum was clear and it was a matter of time before the defence was finally breached, and it came in the fiftieth minute by the no.8 who burst his way to the line. A great conversion made the score 3-7, and little could be done now by Bristol as the ascendancy of the pack and composure of the half backs resulted in the well deserved victory.
Lewis Evans, forwards coach commented: “It was a fantastic victory for the boys, and we learnt a lot more about ourselves in that game than any before. We had many factors against us on the day and the boys prevailed against the odds, to an organised Bristol side.
“As a coaching staff we are incredibly proud of the boys who showed great determination and character and I am excited for the future and want to continue to build as a squad ready for other challenges ahead.”
