U14 A v Framlingham

Result: Lost 31-28

Another spirited game from this U14A team, who show a huge amount of promise. Mistakes continued to allow Framlingham to take the upper hand but never by very much. We were on their heels the whole game. We dominated the second half with just three points separating the teams. Hugo Jenkins and Harvey Moor's work rate was commendable in the pack ,only outshone by Sam Wisby who tackled his heart out and got to the break-down every time. A good game, even though disappointing to lose.

1st XV v Framlingham College

1^st XV v Framlingham College (A) 14^th September 2013
Result: Won 33-7   

The first away trip took the XV down to Framlingham, which can be a tricky fixture away from home. However, the XV who were a new look XV after the injuries of last week, fronted up in all areas and the forwards work rate and intensity allowed the backs to run in some fantastic tries from turn over ball. The execution that was lacking on week one was there to see and with Wells and Williams impressing in the centres, it is good to see competition for places is taking place. Seager set the tone by leading the forwards magnificently and although a massive team effort after the disappointment of the Eltham game, Brooker really shone with his carries and tackling. The 5 tries all scored by different members of the back line, made for a good trip back, but this was not the finished article by the XV and  much work lies ahead.

Man of the Match: Harry Brooker 

Tries: Wells, Williams, Singleton, Malins, Wood    
Cons: Malins (4)  
Pens:

 

U16 A v Eltham College

Saturday 7th September 
Result: Felsted 26 – 10 Eltham College

Captain’s Review
Felsted lost the toss and kicked off, running slightly uphill for the first half. Good tackling and rucking from the very first contact resulted quickly in turnover ball. Felsted built the phases, drawing in defenders before sending the ball to the backs, with Josh Wisbey touching down for the opening score. James Lennon converted.

Despite not managing to get clean ball from the restart Felsted collected the ball and attacked from their own half. After a few scrums just into opposition territory the Felsted forwards again gave the backs some good ball, and following good hands Stefan Warner found himself in space, and shot over to score in the corner. An accurate kick from James Lennon made the score 14-0 at half time.

After another sloppy restart Felsted found themselves on the back foot. Discipline around the breakdown began to lapse and the first 10 minutes of the second half belonged largely to Eltham. However, after the Felsted forwards pulled themselves together with some excellent play at the set piece, managing to turn over several opposition scrums and line outs, they gave the backs the ball they needed in space to allow Ashleigh Cox to cross in the corner.

The next score was to Stefan Warner, who beat a tired Eltham defence and touched down half way through the second half. After this, the score was 26-0 and Eltham pulled themselves together, taking advantage of Felsted's tired legs to build the phases and, despite good defence for a sustained period, they scored from close range. At this point Felsted's fitness levels were letting them down, and Eltham managed to score again in the final seconds of the game to make it 26-10.

Coach’s Corner
This was a good start to the season and the score line flattered Eltham; we could have won this game by 40 points if we had been more clinical. I was extremely pleased with the adventurous approach we took to the game, kicking very little and trusting in our handling skills. I thought our defence, particularly our 1-on-1 tackling around the break down, was outstanding and Simon Holme played like a true captain, leading by example.

Naturally there are things that need to improve. In particular our discipline in the contact area; we gave away too many penalties for holding onto the ball, coming into the sides of rucks and not releasing the ball. This can be put down to two factors – a lack of fitness in some players and an element of laziness in others.

I was impressed that there was very little difference when I started to roll the substitutes on during the second half, despite the disruption this caused to the structure of the team.  There is a lot of competition for places across the team, which suggests both our A & B squads could be extremely successful this year.

Man of the Match: Simon Holme

1st XV v Eltham

1^st XV v Eltham (H) 7^th September 2013
Result:  Lost 10-17  

LACK OF EXECUTION LETS FELSTED DOWN

Eltahm arrived after a tour to New Zealand and defended stoutly for large periods of the game, as a rusty Felsted struggled to convert the pressure that took them within metres of the line on many occasions. The rub of the green went against the XV, but Eltham deserved their victory after blunting the many attacks and capitalising on a rare venture into the Felsted half in the 2^nd half to clinch the win. It was certainly one that got away, but fitness was an issue and that can be addressed. It was a sad day as Captain Keane broke his jaw in the lead up to Eltham’s winning try. Felsted also lost Hogan and Thomson with potentially lengthy injuries

Man of the Match: James Seager 
Tries: Wood
Cons: Malins
Pens: Malins