U15 A v Haileybury

Result: Won 29-33
Tries: Squib 2, Gilham 2, Smith 1
Cons: Lumb, Lennon 4
Review A slow start meant that Felsted was 0-12 down after 10 minutes due to good play by Haileybury. However, Felsted gradually fought their way back with a penalty try awarded to Oliver Squib and a try by Alex Gilham. Haileybury came back strong and scored again with the last play of the first half. Felsted restarted slowly again and conceded a soft try yet again from a line out. This was converted and so a 10 point deficit looked like a bridge too far. However the team showed great character and with tries from Ed Smith and Alex Gilham took control of a very exciting game. James Lennon converting from the touchline helped extend the lead. When Oliver Squib forced himself over in the corner it looked like the game was over, but Haileybury bounced back and scored a good try reducing the deficit to 4 points. A tense last 5 minutes was played out with Felsted in control.
Man of the Match: Lennon

1st XV v Haileybury

Result: Won 19-0
Tries: Seager, Stevens, Brown
Cons: Malins M 2
Review: The XV picked themselves up from Saturday and put in a much more passionate performance upfront. This led to the breakdown being dominated by Felsted and although handling errors on a windy day let the team down the commitment and dominance eventually took its toll on Haileybury, who hung on in the first half. The wind was against Felsted in the first half and the XV still dominated possession and made several breaks, but couldn’t cross the line. At 0-0 at HT and the wind now in the XV’s favour the territory started to count and the tries scored were from excellent phase play. Brown carried the forwards over the line superbly and as captain led from the front. The XV had not beaten Haileybury for a number of years and so it was an excellent victory.
Man of the Match: William Brown

U15 A v Framlingham

Result: Won 24-14
Tries: Jackson 2, Gilham 2 
Cons: Lumb, Lennon
Review: Felsted forwards combined well down the left hand side of the pitch and released quick ball which the backs moved even quicker for Alex Jackson to score in the right hand corner. Felsted then withstood tremendous pressure for 15 minutes close to their line. Breaking out Alex Jackson was held back and a penalty try resulted. Early in the second half, Matt Lumb and Alex Jackson combined well with Alex Gilham to score another superb try. After more great defence Felsted conceded a soft try at a line out and then with Lumb injured conceded another try. With Framlingham on the ascendency Felsted kept their composure and another well constructed try by Matt Lumb, Alex Jackson and Alex Gilham - the game was won reversing last year’s defeat.
Man of the Match: Matt Lumb

2nd XV v Haileybury

Result: Lost 0-13
Review: A tough afternoon at the office is all that can describe a frustrating afternoon and a narrow loss to Haileybury. Playing into the wind in the first half saw the team struggle to get into the opposition's half, however having conceded a penalty after a considerable amount of pressure, the opportunity to score for ourselves was lost as the ball was turned over on Haileybury's line which then saw them kick long, put pressure on the catcher and turn the ball over again leading to a very well taken try out wide. Sadly another opportunity with a driving line out towards the end of the half also went begging. That said, 0-8 at half time with the wind in our favour in the second half meant there was still a good opportunity to secure a win. The second half was a tale of missed opportunities as the team failed to capitalise on the wind and Haileybury made it very difficult for Felsted to hold onto the ball. A number of potential try scoring opportunities were lost. The commitment could not be faulted and was exemplified by the Captain and Man of the Match Harry Silcock who ran himself into the ground in his efforts to secure the desired result.
Man of the Match: Harry Silcock 

  

1st XV v Framlingham

Result: Lost 12-27
Tries: W. Malins (1), Brookes-Ward (1) 
Cons: W.Malins (1) 
Review: After the domination of Coopers Coburn the XV did not find a physical Framlingham XV easy to handle. The game is won and lost upfront and with Felsted loosing the collisions throughout the day, it was a surprise that with 9 minutes to go the XV had clawed there way back into the game at 12-17. They then conceded 2 late break away tries. However, without much quick or regular ball the backs that had fun in the sun the week before, were starved of possession, although looked dangerous out wide when they had the opportunity. It is a great credit to the XV that they came back in a game to win the 2nd half, but the damage was done in the 1st half. Framlingham deserved the spoils on the day. Felsted with a tough run of fixtures to come, will need to up the physicality at the breakdown to ensure they can utilise the talent of the XV.
Man of the Match: Cy Weaver

U14 B v Framlingham

Result: Won 20-41
Tries: Monks (3) Muir (2) Holmes (1)  Leighton Logan (1)
Cons: Monks (3)
Review: The team worked really hard during training before the match, working on how to improve on the previous performance. The team responded really well to this and when we arrived at Framlingham, it was a beautiful sunny day and we realised this could be a winger’s game. Framlingham scored against us very early on. After a quick team talk the team were reminded to go low in the tackle. After this, they were energised and started playing some superb defensive rugby along with some expansive attacking Rugby. We started finding gaps and Ethan Monk found enough space to find the line and score his first try. The best try of the match for Felsted followed. We moved from our 22 through nine phases of play and we were forming rucks before Framlingham even new a ruck had started. After the forwards tucked us up the pitch we released the back line finally giving the ball to Angus Muir and he took the ball around the winger and scored. We scored by intercepting balls on the half way and running the pitch to score. Nathan Holmes also came into the offensive line and used this to capitalise to score. Jackson Leighton Logan also scored a forwards try from 10 metres out. Framlingham lost a prop to injury and so we had to have uncompetitive scrums. This allowed them to have a scrum 10 metres out and run their number 8 from the scrum who was a very large, powerful runner. Felsted dominated this match in both attack and defence and really deserved the win
Man of the Match: Muir

2nd XV v Framlingham

Result: Won 24-10
Tries: McLeod, Armstrong, Wells, McLaren
Review: Game 2 of the season was a different kettle of fish entirely! Framlingham arrived with a massive and intimidating pack, their front row must have weighed nearly 60st combined. An excellent start saw the backs getting into their stride quickly with an excellent slice special on their 10 metre line, leading to a try under the posts for James McLeod. However, a lack of physicality in the forwards hampered the team all afternoon and it was telling once Framlingham worked the ball more closely around the fringes of the contact areas. Mistakes by the opposition meant that Tom Edwards, who kicked well from hand all day, was able to keep them pinned back in their half. An opportunist try towards the end of the first half form Angus McLaren, after confusion from the opposition’s back three gave the team the breathing space required. The Second half was dominated by Framlingham as they fought back with excellent running and passing between their big forwards. But, despite conceding two unconverted tries, an excellent rolling maul from a line out on Framlingham’s five metre line saw Armstrong score and keep Framlingham at bay. The key to success was taking the chances that were available and the backs, led by Tom Edwards, were widely praised by the coaches for their excellent performance but the forwards were also made well aware of what needs to improve for next time!
Man of the Match: Bertie Wells

Felsted 1st XV v Coopers Coburn

Tries: Hunter-Jordan (3), Brookes-Ward (1), M.Malins (1), W. Malins (1), Seager (2), Latham (1), Stevens (1)
Cons: M.Malins (6) 
Review: The first game of the season was played in conditions that sadly were lacking for the first game of the cricket season. The temperature was hot and so were the Felsted XV, running in 10 tries against an opposition that normally prove hard to break down. The pace out wide was allowed to express their talent as the forwards got Felsted on the front foot. The quick ball to M. Malins by the improving service of Weaver and Edwards allowed a composed and excellent performance for Mamins who was on his debut. The loss of the captain Kingham and W.Malins for the most part were not noticed in this game, but tougher challenges lie ahead. However, after a lengthy and positive pre-season it was excellent to see some of the set plays lead to points.
Man of the Match: Joshua Hunter-Jordan

2nd XV v Coopers

Result: Won 38-14
Tries: Whyte, Williams, Polkinghorne, Adebajo, McLeod, Sellers
Review: The first game of the season against Coopers was very much about unknowns, lots of L6th and pupils new to Felsted in the squad meant the week's training was dominated by getting a team on the pitch and ensuring all the basics were in place. On a searing afternoon the team made an excellent start with two unanswered tries, converted by Benson who was striking the ball very well. Unsurprisingly, Coopers fought their way back into the game scoring a try and forcing us onto the back foot. Another try steadied the ship but immediately after scoring the team fell asleep which enabled the opposition to get to within one converted try. However, some direct running and a fantastic try out wide, with each pass right on the edge of being knocked on, from Y11 Ollie Wiliiams got us across the line as we demonstrated the ability to kick up a gear. A very positive start to the season which bodes well as we progress on.
Man of the Match: Tom Edwards