It was a fresh Sunday morning when we travelled down the m6 to Willenhall for the second match of the week. The sky was covered in grey cloud and there was a chill in the air, but thankfully for the spectators, little breeze. I would like to think the U15s warmed up well but wouldn’t know as I was on a lovely walk with the Laura’s.
The toss up was lost by team captain Jonah and so the opposing team chose to swap ends, meaning a downhill start for the terriers. Our kick off was good and we were up and at ‘em from the go. Tackling well and hitting the rucks we win a scrum and our forwards do what is needed to let Dylan get the ball out nicely to Jude who runs gazelle-like down the pitch. Lovely handling would put Alfie in to open the scoring 0-5
Reset for the kick received nicely by Leon who runs with ball in hands to pass to Fin H. Some lovely play only to be halted by a high tackle which allowed Will B to kick to touch for a line out. Danny R ready for Ed S and Jonah to get the guns out to lift Dex who popped the ball to Jack on the blind side and off he went. Now the lads on the side lines got in the way a bit here but I believe some good rucks were made and a hand in from Willenhall gave us the ball close to our try line. We were unable to get the ball over the line and Willenhall kick the ball into touch for a line out. Play carries on until the ref made a decision for a reason unbeknownst to me and a penalty is given to Willenhall. All is not lost as it’s Fin H who make an amazing tackle to win the ball for the terriers for it to be knocked on and a scrum is awarded to the opposition. Some lovely defensive play ensues allowing Alfie to pick up a loose ball and pass to Connor who add another 5 to our score making it 0-10
We would see both teams have knock ons for the restart and scrumming seems to be proving difficult for the opposition who collapsed the scrum but sees Joe, Sam and Danny holding there own up front. Lots of support from our parents and sideline crew with mason adding advice to his fellow teammates. A lovely grubber kick right down the wing would have seen some great play if Danail and Alfie hadn’t have been pushed out and onto our water bottles. Great play and tackling by the team gives Connor the chance to steal the ball, which makes its way via a kick down pitch. The next bit of play was poetry in motion - Leon and Cartas lovely interchange down the wing would give Carta the space under the post for our next try. Great to see our lads be generous with the ball, keep the flow and make space to get the try! Will B conv takes our score to 0-17
Next play went a bit like this - big kick to Dex. Vocal from Kev. Line out to them. Big tackle Will B. Fin wins the ball. Ball to Sam who runs well. Sideline boys in the way. Willenhall man down. Team talk huddle starts. Dex catalogue pose on the floor. Our scrum. Out from scrum knocked on. Scrum to them. Jake makes an appearance on the wing. Ref says it’s their penalty. Kicked out so a line out follows. Jake tackles, Jonah takes, something’s gone on ref calls our line out. Ball makes way to Will B who dummy’s and over the line he goes for a try. Conversion made and Half Time arrives. 0-22
Our new coach Zoe gives the team an inspired talk and they are pumped and ready for the second half, and playing uphill. Willenhalls kick is picked up by Will B who makes a big run. Alfie down, out to Leon who scores in the corner. 0-27
More good play follows quickly and that’s another try for Leon, conv Will B 0-34
Kick caught by Alfie, run, tackled, ball out to jack who repeats the run tackle and safely out to Dex. Ball ends up loose with Jake picking up then to Ed S for the try 0-39
Play starts from the kick and ball moves from player to player and then out to Harry N who makes a run. More things happen but my fingers were cold no longer typing as quick as I’d like. A kick is made by Willenhall which is caught by Fin H who gets ball to Leon who adds another try to our score. 0-44
Restart kick, play continues til we are awarded a line out. There’s a bit of a scramble and we gain knock on advantage. Matty gets through for our next try 0-49
After the Willenhall restart play stops for a Willenhall man down and gives our team time to bring on Ollie O into the forwards. We see scrums, line outs and big tackles and a penalty awarded to Willenhall who would kick the ball to a waiting Fin H. He runs, Dex follows. Fin to Dex, Dex to Fin, Fin to Dex. The terrier sprouts wings and flys over the try line to score an Ash Splash try. Drop goal conversion made Will B 0-56
Ollie B comes on for play begins again. Willenhall aren’t giving up and a good kick and chase restart add pressure but our lads handle it well. Ball makes its way to Ollie O who makes a good run. There’s tackles, knock ons and scrums. Fin H does a lovely kick and chase, followed by more good play to allow Will B through for a try. Final score 0-61
If I have missed anyone or anything it will either be because my brain had joined my fingers in being numb, or I was too busy shouting but rest assured every player on that pitch gave their all and played their best.

Player of the match goes to FIN H

And so for the quote a la Rog. Here’s one
The strength of the team is each individual member.
The strength of each member is the team.
Phil Jackson Chicago Bull Coach back in the glory days.

Spelling mistakes and grammar errors can be discussed with my proof reader Phillip Steventon.