Sun 29 Sep 2024, 11:00
Dunstable vs Harpenden (under 16s)
This Sunday saw Dunstable Under 16s start their season hosting Harpenden Under 16s.
The team, led by their captain, George, elected to kick off, with number 10, Heinrich, executing a short and high kick, down the centre of the pitch. Harpenden were quick and alert, with their back line looking to kick and place pressure on Dunstable’s back line. A grub quick split open Dunstable defence, and Harpenden quickly scored the first try of the game. The subsequent conversion was missed.
From the reset, Dunstable were fierce in the tackle and breakdown, gaining possession from a breakdown on the left hand side, close to the 22. Scrum half Jaylan was able to sidestep and run through Harpenden’s defensive line to score Dunstable’s first try. Fly half Heinrich scored the subsequent conversion.
Empowered by Jaylan’s try, and the defensive work of both the forward pack and back line, Dunstable looked to increase their lead, with full back Ryan taking the ball at pace and executing a strong, forward run, to score Dunstable’s second try. Fly half Heinrich scored the subsequent conversion.
Harpenden came back strong from the reset, with the pressure from the forward pack forcing Dunstable into a number of errors. From these, Harpenden were able to score their second try of the game. Harpenden’s number 10 scored the subsequent conversion.
Dunstable remained calm and retained their focus and discipline. In quick reply, fly half Heinrich ran down the left wing, straight and with pace, to score Dunstable’s third try before calmy, and expertly, scoring the following conversion.
The end of the first half saw tight head prop Luke, pick and go from a break down on the right wing. Luke ran through a number of attempted tackles, with his strength and power being too much for the Harpenden defensive line. Luke placed the ball down in the right corner to score Dunstable’s fourth try of the game.
The start of the second half saw Dunstable’s back line continue to find space and place pressure on the Harpenden defensive line with a number of strong, well supported, forward runs. In quick succession, Dunstable scored a further two tries, by centre Benjamin and winger Roshayne. Fly half Heinrich continued to maintain the high standards he had set himself by scoring both subsequent conversions.
Both teams fought fiercely at every break down, and after a number of off-side infringements by Dunstable, number 8 Zak was shown a yellow card and sent to the sin bin. Despite a strong defensive line by Dunstable, with Oliver and flanker Arthur making numerous hard tackles, Harpenden were able to score three tries, scoring two and missing one conversion.
Dunstable’s forward pack, marshalled by scrum half Hubert, were dominant in the scrum and breakdowns, with this providing the platform for Dunstable to quickly turn defence into attack. A series of forward pack runs subsequently saw hooker George pop the ball to winger Roshayne to score his second, and Dunstable’s seventh try of the game. Fly half Heinrich scored the subsequent conversion.
The last play of the game saw tight head prop Luke break through Harpenden’s defensive line with a trademark, forward surging run. Harpenden’s full back was quick to react to this threat, but despite reaching Luke, lock Blake was in support, and was able to take the ball from a pop pass, and score between the posts to score the last try of the game. Fly half Heinrich scored the subsequent conversion to end the game 54 – 31 to Dunstable.
While there were many strong performances from Dunstable, the man of the match was awarded to full back Ryan. Ryan was strong in both attack and defence and was a constant threat to Harpenden’s defensive line.
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