A loss that feels like a win!

On a grey and windy day as the ginger coloured autumnal leaves blew across the pitch we welcomed May & Baker to Crow Lane for the U14’s second encounter of the season. We were roundly beaten in our first away meeting but the U14’s have been in fine form of late and expectations were high. The first try was scored by M&B but Romford settled quickly and they resolved to slow M&B’s speedy players. Romford scored their first try with a good ruck and an accurate pass from Shaun Kerr to Tom O’Meara who dodged a tackle to score under the posts, this was easily converted by Sam Slatford. Romford attacked again straight from the restart and Tom O’Meara again sprinted down the wing to score a second try which was converted by Sam Slatford. May & Baker quickly got themselves back into the match though and scored three converted tries from an exceptionally fast number 13 who managed to split the Romford defence with his speed against the run of play. Romford continued to play close ball though to slow May & Bakers attacking game, some excellent defensive work by Lewis Potter allowed Harry Runham to move the ball from the back of the ruck and the Captain danced his way through the M&B’s players to pass to Sam Slatford who scored a great try under the posts.

Half time: RGP 19-28 May & Baker

The second half began and May & Baker had regrouped they scored two converted tries in quick succession but Romford had not given up. A well controlled scrum and Liam Palmer-Anscomb was able to pass to Luke Metcalf who danced his way through the M&B defence to touch down under the posts again for his second try. M&B quickly replied with another converted try but the U14’s began pushing up the field and a penalty allowed Ade Olaleye to crash the ball over the line for another Romford try swiftly converted by Sam Slatford who managed to touchdown for a try of his own shortly after. M&B would go on to score two more tries but there was still time for Ade Olaleye to score a fine try on the wing beating his opposite number and sprinting for the posts. Romford may have lost this game but there was still plenty to celebrate they had managed to put 7 tries and 45 points past an excellent May & Baker side and firmly made amends for their earlier loss of the season.

Final score:

RGP 45
May & Baker 61

Tries: Tom O’Meara x2, Luke Metcalf x2, Ade Olaleye x2, Sam Slatford

Conversions: Sam Slatford x5

Squad: L. Metcalf (c), H. Runham, M. Courtney, R. Pooley, S. Kerr, B. Watts, J. Mimms, R. Blinkhorne, M. Sultana, T. O’Meara, C. Hardy, L. Potter, S. Slatford, A. Olaleye, L. Palmer-Anscomb, O. Flower, B. Shawyer, B. Walton, J. Mimms, T. Polius, L. Harris, R. Steiblys, R. Dhadwar, N. Fragjaj, Tayo