U14s Tupton 14 - Melbourne Golds 22

Melbourne Golds travelled up the A38 to Tupton on a Sunny Sunday afternoon, perfect for rugby. This is a new shape Tupton team which now includes boys from Sheffield, this gave them more numbers and a new look team to the one we played last year. Like Robbie Williams on a Saturday night we had no idea what was going to happen next. They looked well fed and watered boys and gave the Melbourne boys the usual doubts, they knew they would need to be Strong today.

The first phase of our soft Brexit deal was to see Kelly and Brad to go to the greens and in return Ben Stevo, Jones and Logan joined the Golds for a game. Their expertise would be vital for today.

Joe North was given the Captains armband and was in the mood for Entertaining Us, with Rueban continuing his new form and responsibility deputising and leading the forwards.

The Ref asked if we would mind playing 4 10 mins games, which Alistair has no issue, however everyone else did! Including his mother who had no issues telling him off for agreeing to it!

The first 5 minutes was very close and both teams battled hard, Melbourne with the slope defended well and then a break was on, great hands by Joe North, and Brunt and the ball was out to Harrison Jones to run in a try from the half way line. 5-0.

Tupton put the pressure on and you could Feel that a try was coming and the scored under the posts and converted 7-5. Melbourne thought they had regained the lead in the corner with another good effort by Jones, but the ref pulled them back for an infringement. End of Q2.

Q3 and Melbourne continued to play the better rugby, but did occasionally get dragged down to scrapping and moaning, after a good back moves again Joe Brunt would this time score in the corner, 7-10.

Tupton would not lie down and would score again to take a 14-10 lead into Q4.

A final team talk, and Alistair said to the boys to have No Regrets, this last quarter was there’s to win.

A couple of quick penalties and scrappy play would see Melbourne camped in the corner on Tupton line, and looking good for a forwards try in the corner, however a good scrummage by Tupton and they tried to clear their lines only to kick it cross fields into the safe hands of Brad, looking a great find on the wind, he goes into scores a great try. 14-15.

This was a test now and from the KO Melbourne had a bit of pressure to deal with and then a high tackle saw Tom G be carried off the park, with 1 point in the game experience would have kicked to touch, however the confidence of Northy and his backs and Melbourne through the ball around their own 22 as if it was game of touch to warm up, Ethan crashed through 3 or 4 tackles to get to half way, followed by more phases and the ball was again with Ethan who would this time score a well-deserved try, well deserved to him and the team, 14-20, North decided now was the time to score a conversation and we took a 8 point lead into the final seconds, the win was finally in sights. The boys did not need any rugby Angels to finish the game off.

Final score 22-14.

The forwards played well under real pressure and continued to gel with Jack, Fraser, Gus, Tom G, Grimwood, Huw and Rueben all understanding each other’s strengths.

Many contenders for MOM and Jim and Ali have gone with Ollie Smith who had a massive game at scum half in attack and defence, Logan who was everywhere, Jones who scored and played in the forwards and the backs and leadership and skill of Joe North at fly half.