BRIXHAM RUGBY CLUB

TEAM CONTACTS

MARK JACKSON, Under 14s
mark.jaxxson@googlemail.com
07921 094875

TOM CLARKE

New Fishermen Net Debut Win

April 9th 2011 Brixham 26 Veseyans 22
A sunny Astley Park welcomed the belated debut of Brixham’s Under 14 team, in a development match against midlands visitor Veseyans.
The visitors kicked off with the ball being collected by centre Ricki Workman. The young Fishermen were immediately on the offensive with some attractive kicking and chasing rugby demonstrating the pace in the home team’s backs and desire to grab the opening try. It was not long before that determination paid off, with the power of the Brixham pack winning a scrum on the right hand side and influential captain and No. Rhys Bower charging his way over the line. 5 – 0 to Brixham.
The conversion was narrowly missed, but immediately from the restart, the home side kept up the momentum, determined to build on their lead. Centres Ricki Workman and Michael Collins were both unlucky not to add to the tally following some excellent team play. The home forwards began to dominate the game with the likes of Harry Carne, George James, Luke Crutchlow, Dom Smith and Harry Jones driving the visitors back at every opportunity. Once again Brixham’s pressure paid off, winning a line out with prop JoeSlack taking the ball over the line for the second Brixham try. Fly half Ben Jackson added the points with a fine taken conversion. A well deserved 12 – 0 lead to Brixham.
Veseyans began to organise themselves better as the half wore on, but were met with some resilient tackling by a spirited Brixham team before finally breaking through to reduce the deficit.
The second half opened with more Veseyans pressure eventually paying off. This was a crucial period of the game for some of the inexperienced Brixham players, for if they had buckled under pressure from the visitors the game would have been lost. However the determination throughout the home team was evident with scrum half Ben Farrell making some important challenges and wingers Michael Heyse and Jacob Durrant demonstrating they possess fearless tackling capabilities as well as pace. However it was full back George Tiltman that produced what was possibly the tackle of the match, stopping the visitors outside centre in full flow. This epitomised the Fishermen’s commitment as a team.
Having weathered the storm and caught their breath, Brixham began taking the game to the Midlanders once more. After some fine work across the park, Brixham were rewarded with a try by hard working lock Josh Boyce. Once more the excellent Ben Jackson added the conversion to increase Brixham’s lead.
The game reached the crucial stage where fitness would play an important part, and many feared that it would be the visitors, with more experienced players in their line up, who might have the advantage. However it was the determination of the Brixham team which made the real difference with lock George James and flanker Harry Jones leading from the front. Brixham’s final try was scored by their inspirational captain Rhys Bower, forcing his way over the line with Ben Jackson adding the points with another well taken conversion.
Despite a late flurry by Veseyans, Brixham held on for a very well deserved 26 -22 victory. For a team which has only had four training sessions prior to this match, and for many players this being their first taste of competitive rugby, under 15’s rugby at Brixham next season looks very promising. On a few occasions players were isolated when attacking and the odd gaps did appear in defence. However these are shortfalls which can be ironed out in practice and with match experience. But commitment and passion cannot be taught, and this young team has that in abundance in every position. This was something that was evident throughout the game and from the noise of the victorious Brixham team in the changing rooms afterwards.