U14s Match Report: Vees Vs Bishop Stortford B (Home) 20th November 2022

Vees hosted Bishop Stortford B team on a beautiful day for rugby. Vees secured the ball from the kick off and Captain James led from the front with a monstrous run straight up the middle. James was eventually tackled a few metres from the Stortford line but executed a perfect offload to Max who opened the scoring. 5-0.

Vees caught the ball perfectly from the kick off and after several well executed phases had created an overlap on the right hand side where Jayden was screaming for the ball. Hooker Harry P received the ball and threw a giant miss pass out to Jayden who opened his account for the day with a blistering run up the wing to score Vees second. 10-0.

Stortford had some strong runners who once on the ball were able to gain metres over the gain line, however, some excellent counter rucking saw the Vees pack steal the ball back. Arthur made excellent distance, breaking tackles before he was brought down. Superb support play from Mateusz and Tom V secured the ball and Henry R was able to pass from a stable ruck to release Paddy on a marauding run. More graft from Archie and Tom D provided a solid foundation for Henry R to spin it out to the backs to the left and for Vees left winger, Manny to run in a magnificent try. 15-0.

Stortford continued their battering of the Vees line but were pushed into touch. Arthur caught the ball from Vees lineout Vees pack formed a maul. The backs then launched a move straight fro the training ground with Jayden coming in off his wing to take the ball from scrum half Henry with fly half running dummy. Jayden broke through several tackles before accelerating up the right wing to run in his second score under the posts. Harry P stepped up and slotted home well struck conversion. 22-0.

Stortford showed incredible resilience and kept testing the Vees defence, but again the Vees pack managed to snipe the ball back before stringing together, a hitherto unheard of, 4 consecutive phases of play before Inside Centre Seb scored his first try of this season in the corner. This was especially gratifying for the coaches as crisp multiphase play has been a focus in training.

Half time 27-0.

Stortford came back again but were unfortunate to be turned over again by a ruthless Vees pack, with James jackaling at the rucks. Henry FZ set up a beautiful string of passes down the line Vees No 8, Tom D ran across causing the Stortford defence to drift and turn out which gave Max the chance to run straight through the Stortford defence to score under the posts. Felix added the extra 2 points with a sweetly struck conversion. 34-0. Ruthless rucking from Archie, Tom D and Tom V, coupled with brutal straight running from the 2 nd row power houses, Arthur and Paddy saw Vees advancing up the pitch again, Henry R connected perfectly with Dylan who sent the ball down his backs line for Jayden to receive the ball in enough space to run in his third of the day. Felix converted to set the scores at 41-0.

Shortly after the restart Henry R made a break and ran almost the entire length of the pitch before he was finally snagged by a Stortford defender, but managed to pass to Tom D before he was brought down for Tom D to run in his first of the season. 46-0.

Stortford won the ball shortly after the restart but some ferocious tackling halted their attack and James’ scintillating sniping at the ruck won the ball back for Vees. Dylan passed out along the line and outside centre Max broke through Stortford’s defence, drew in the covering defender before slipping a beautifully weighted pass to Jayden on the inside for Jayden to score under the posts. Felix converted to take the score to 53-0.

Vees secured possession from the restart and Jayden repaid the favour; after a scorching run down the wing, he cut in heading towards the posts. It looked for a moment that Jayden might be caught but Max was on his shoulder ready to receive the offload and score under the posts. Felix converted his 4 th kick of the day and the score stood at 60-0.

Stortford kept battling and won a penalty and they opted to kick to touch. Our left winger, Manny, alert to the chance to keep the ball alive, managed to pluck the ball out of the air and run a sublime weaving line up the left wing, evading multiple defenders and dotting down under the posts. Felix once again converted to set the score at 67-0.

In the final minutes of the game Stortford made a gallant effort to attack the Vees line, however, were once again thwarted by Captain James incessant work in the ruck, which presented the opportunity for Vees to once again attack the Stortford line. From about 10 metres out Vees passed across the entire width of the pitch for Fly Half Dylan to run in the final score of the match.

Final score 72-0.

The entire match was played with true sportsman conduct from both sides and in a friendly but competitive nature.