Match Reports 29th and 30th January

Verulamians 12 - 41 Barnet

The boys travelled the short distance to local rivals Barnet looking to make a statement on the league after a courageous win away against Bank of England two weeks ago.

The conditions were primed for a great game with a strong wind heading down the slope which would influence the strong start for the Vee’s. The game kicked off and the boys in blue and yellow looked to immediately assert early pressure with the Barnet back three struggling to field the array of kicks peppered at them by the likes of Tom Spratt and Joe Breeze.

 A line out deep in Barnet’s 22 gave Vee’s a great platform to attack from. With the ball collected safely, the forwards looked to dominate the contact and smash over for the first try. After a few tight phases young lock Lachlan McComb dived over for the first score of the game as the Vee’s looked to set an impression against second in the table.

With Barnet looking to bounce back their backs showed off some slick hands much like our first encounter earlier in the season to score two quick try’s in the right hand corner. Despite this, Vee’s fought back and found themselves camped in Barnet’s half once again. This time prop Alex Henman trundled over after great patience near to the line much to the delight of the travelling fans on the sideline. The game opened up much more after this with Barnet looking to use their expansive game but Vee’s holding on strong with their much improved drift defence.

Barnet managed to score one more after some tight phase play of their own leading to the scores being 15-12 to Barnet at halftime.

With the slope against their favour and injuries taking their toll in the second half it looked to be a real challenge for Vee’s in the last 40 minutes.  As the match resumed Gareth Waters and James Ryan  had a very busy time fielding numerous kicks and returning them with interest in what was a match very in the balance with no scores for the first ten minutes of the second half.

Barnet however, had other ideas and through their fly half making a few breaks saw them dot down in the left hand corner. The game was not lost though and the Vee’s outfit showed how much they’ve improved since their last encounter with Barnet managing to put together some great phases of rugby utilising their stronger forward pack and powerful centres to work their way up the middle of the pitch.

But the strong wind and slope allowed Barnet to pin the boys into the left hand corner where they struggled to surmount any attack from leading to two more tries for the home team. Yet once again Vee’s fought back and found themselves in Barnet’s 22 eyeing up the try line with great intent. With some strong runs from the likes of Tom Spratt, Andre and Louis the boys in blue looked certain to score. However, Barnet stood firm and won a penalty on their try line to halt our endeavour.

Minutes later their back line showed great hands to score a length of the field try much to the home crowds enjoyment. Yet the theme of this match continued in which Vee’s retaliated fiercely looking to close the gap once again!

We managed to work our way up the slope and find ourselves 5 metres out looking to utilise our forwards to edge over the line. However, after 10 minutes of blood, sweat and tears the ref called full time in what was a great improvement compared to our previous encounter earlier in the season.

A shoutout to man of the match Alex Henman who crashed over for a try and showed great tackling in defence and to the group of players we had playing out of position. The rebuild is very much at show with our performances ever improving each week. Watch this space!

Under 16s - Vees 69-0 Watford

Another free scoring display backed up by watertight defence sees another big win.

First half

The Vees kicked off against a Watford team who had suffered a few late cry-offs but still had 15 players including their dangerous first team county player.  The first few minutes saw Watford showing grit and power at the breakdown and putting in some good tackles, particularly through their flanker as Vees started a little lethargically. 

Vees worked their way into the contest with the first opportunity coming following a massive hit by JJ (welcome back from your shoulder injury) which not only stopped the Watford player dead in their tracks but forced a turnover.  Jamie F saw Charlie in space on the left who in turn fed Barney to streak over . . . and then jog sedately towards the post and nearly get caught trying to setup the easier kick! Jamie F added the afters after Barney’s sunshine stroll.

7-0

Next up red ball, red ball, red ball. Red ball is a forwards crash for the uninitiated. Hugo and George acted as the battering rams, swallowing up Watford’s best tacklers then Olly P crashed again and powered through a despairing tackle before gunning into the corner with his unique blend of power and pace.

14-0 as Jamie F added the extras from our wide - great kick.

Next up Ethan showed his new found wheels (the RFU were seeking a drugs test after the match), blitzing round the outside of the Watford back line with stunning pace following a messy scrum just inside the Watford half.

19-0 with the kick missed.

Vees then had a scrum 10m out and fed the ball down the line to Jamie S who was tackled but not held and in a flash was quick to feet to bundle over, much to the raucous delight of Speller senior. 

24-0 as Will couldn’t make the conversion having taken on the kicking duties with Jamie F taking a breather.

George then showed how to take the perfect red ball as he took the oval stitched leather in full flight and burst through the first tackle. Will found his range and added the 2 points.

31-0 

Luka connected with a clearing kick which was recovered by Vees. Another red ball and another try as Olly P again accelerated onto the ball, striking from long range.

38-0 as Will converted.

Sam FB was next up as he took the ball at pace while he crossed blind side to open and showed dummy, dummy, dummy which opened up the defence for him to touch down under the posts for an easy try.

45-0 as Will showed he can do a job with the boot in front of the posts.

A great score line to take into the half despite the rucking, scrums and lineouts not operating at full capability.

Second half

Taren came into the fray for his debut match for Vees after only a couple of training sessions.

Watford had some sustained pressure early on and were looking for a try. Vees defence was rugged and no easy points are coming for the opposition of late. In fact exactly zero points in our last 3 matches! The awesome defence saw Vees win a penalty kick on our 5m line. Jamie F missed touch but the bounce fell perfectly to Will who sped under the posts. Just reward for his work rate in chasing down the kick as nothing was going Watford’s way.

52-0 as Jamie F nailed the kick.

Some good work by the forwards after Matthew’s excellent break saw the next chance created. Sam FB again took the ball at pace and showed good footwork and acceleration as he danced over.

57-0 the post denied the afters from Jamie F.

The next try came from a loose scrum where the ball pinged back and forth before emerging out of the side. Will, now playing in the pack, was first to react and picked up the ball to make the break.  At this point most people are expecting the score but a great, desperate, last ditch tackle by Watford’s flanker felled him.  Fortunately his personal bodyguard, Olly P, had worked hard to be close in support (perhaps fearing Will might get into another dust up?) and was on hand for the offload to complete his hat-trick.

64-0 following an easy kick in front of the posts. 

The final try started from a lineout won by Will (his lineout jumping definitely better than his lineout throwing!). The ball went through the hands of Olly P to Ellis, who effected a great offload under pressure, to George for him to power over despite the attention of the Watford defence.

69-0 as Jamie had the accuracy but not quite the range from wide out.

Another try fest for the Vees but Watford showed grit and heart, never giving up and making the second half closer than the first. Great to see another clean sheet for the Vees boys.

Final Score

Vees 69 - 0 Watford

(Tries: Olly P x 3, George x 2, Sam FB x 2, Barney, Ethan, Jamie S, Will. Conversions: Jamie F x 4, Will x 3)

Players of the Day

Hugo - great work rate and excellent hands. Part of a formidable Vees front row rotation.

Olly P - wowed the crowd with his blend of pace and power, which saw 3 tries run in from long range.

Ethan - secured some excellent turnover ball and flashed both his passing ability and pace in attack.

Rhydian - solid and reliable decision making, strong hands and support of team mates all spot on as he made inroads into the Watford defence at every opportunity. 

Special Mentions

JJ - great to see him back in action on the pitch after a lengthy lay off to rest his shoulder injury. 

Taren - 2 training sessions and into action as he made his debut for Vees.  Well done.