Stevenage Town RFC

Our Under 15's played OV's today at home, and walked away with a win of 17-12. Well done boys!

You can read the match report here from coach Adam Amos!

"Our 2nd league game saw the arrival of a side that thumped us on our last 2 meetings, so we were going to have to up our standard if we were to get the result we wanted. 

With the game under way, both teams seemed confident with ball in hand. Stevenage looking to use their bulky forwards to make good ground, as OV's looked to use their speedy backs and get the ball wide. With numerous penalties being awarded for both teams due to infringements at the ruck the game was yet to flow. Stevenage then changed tactics and spun the ball wide, where Luke fed Dylan M to gallop down the wing only to be bundled into touch from a great covering tackle. OV's had the lineout and attempted a driving maul but the ball was spilled at the back and some quick thinking from Captain Jack saw him kick through and out pace the covering defence and with a swan dive he managed to ground the ball first for the opening score 15 metres in from the touchline. Aaron stepped up and slotted a great conversion. Stevenage led 7-0.

From the restart a great powerful run, one of many from Frankie, saw Stevenage penetrate into the OV's half and a resulting high tackle seemed like the only way to stop him giving us a penalty. We kicked for touch and from the lineout on the 22 metre line, the forwards looked to use their size advantage with a catch and drive. As the defence set themselves for the drive Frankie had other ideas and appeared from nowhere to sprint to the line untouched for Stevenage's 2nd try. Conversion missed 12-0. 

OV's looked stunned as this was not on their agenda for the day. They threw everything at us for the next 5 minutes and with them camped on our 5 metre line the tackles were coming thick and fast. OV's looked certain to score but a superb turn over saw Stevenage have the chance to clear their lines, but as they took the ball into contact OV's themselves won the turnover and 2 quick passes saw them cross the line for a good try. Conversion scored 12-7. Half time.

2nd half kicked off and this game could go either way. OV's started the strongest and looked to get their flying full back on the ball as quickly as possible, but we were alert and shut him down before he could make his normal impressive runs. Numerous scrums in the middle of the field saw a very dominant scrum from Stevenage but a dropped ball was recovered by OV's and they were heading for the line. A great covering tackle saw the player crawling for the line and touch it down for a try but the ref had blown for a penalty for not releasing the ball after the tackle. Then came a moment of madness! Stevenage decided not to kick the penalty on their own 5 metre line and tried to run it. A good quick tackle saw us now in trouble and we then decided to kick it giving OV's the lineout. The next play saw OVs spin the ball wide and with 3 on 2 they managed to score a good try to tie the score. Conversion missed 12-12 with 10 mins to go. 

The match was now anyones for the tacking but who would take it? A scrum 10 metres out from the opposing try line saw the Stevenage pack win one against the head. Dylan A picked and went left and after a nice dummy pass he went for the line himself and scored a great try. Conversion missed 17-12. 

With 5 minutes to go the game was still available for OV's to try and snatch, but a well drilled Stevenage held on to secure a well deserved win to stay top of the league and finally get a victory over OV's. 

Both teams gave it their all and this was a great match to watch. With a nice curry cooked by the Chairman himself to warm the lads up, we look forward to a return game later in the season. 

Well played Stevenage a great result that was well deserved. Come on the town"

Adam Amos (Coach)