YOUTH U15 NEWS/MATCH REPORTS

Crawley 0 Bognor 34 - 30th November 2008

Crawley were back at a wet Willoughby Fields for their league match against Bognor. Being the smaller side, Crawley were keen to move the ball wide but the bigger Bognor side had other ideas. Bognor attacked down the slope through their bigger forwards and kept Crawley on the back foot. After 9 minutes the pressure brought a penalty just 5 meters from the Crawley line and the quick tap saw Bognor take the lead with a try. Crawley continued to move the ball but kept finding themselves turning ball over in contact, often giving away a penalty. This thwarted their attempts to score and kept giving the initiative back to Bognor. The result was two more Bognor tries, both converted before half time.

Crawley started the second half brighter but after conceding another penalty, Bognor scored from the resulting lineout with a well worked move that the Crawley forwards did not react to. With the game slipping away, Crawley were forced to run everything and their enterprise almost brought a try but for some good defensive tackling. This was to be the pattern for the rest of the match with Crawley running any ball they got but with Bognor defending manfully before pushing on for two more unconverted tries. Crawley were disappointed with the result but in the end a bigger pack gave Bognor the advantage which they pressed home. Both sides played some expansive rugby in poor conditions but in the end Bognor were the clear winners.

Crawley were disappointed to lose without playing to their best and must now work hard ahead of their next league match at Burgess Hill on21st December to get their league campaign back on track.

Match Day Squad: Oli Wiseman, Bob Grantham, Sam Cotton, Dean Gary, Rob Molloy, Jake Broughton, Joe Callus (Captain), Ellis Rouch, Joe Morgan, James Goddard, Ben Maloney, Erik Dewell, Colm Gaul, Oliver Plunkett, Dennis Payne, Andrew Cahill, Jack Jacob Joe Radoux (injured) and Harry Wilde (not registered).

Hastings & Bexhill 5 Crawley 48 - 16th November 2008

Crawley travelled to Hastings keen to build on their opening league win against Worthing B. Crawley were without Erik Dewell and Sam Cotton who both had family commitments and had made some changes as a result. Hastings had only 14 players available so further adjustments were needed prior to kick off.

The match started in ideal weather conditions and Hastings started the brighter as they worked hard to cover the ground of the missing player. Crawleys had their work cut out at the set pieces and were constantly on the back foot against a fired up and bigger set of forwards. This meant the team spent almost all of the first half tring to get out of their own 22. Once or twice they attacked but Hastings were covering the ground well and making their tackles. With just 5 minutes of the first half left to play the score was still nil nil as Hastings squandered a couple of overlaps and James Goddard made some important tackles out on the wing. But still under pressure, Crawley failed to find touch with a kick and Hastings drove at the Crawley line through their forwards. After several phases of pick and driving Hastings scored the first try of the match wide out on the left. Crawley regrouped under the posts and after some honest words returned to the field. The conversion had been missed and so the score was 5- 0 to the hosts. From the restart Crawleys forwards seemed more committed and within two minutes Ellis Rouch broke through the defence. The ball was moved to Dennis Payne who was tackled just short of the line but popped the ball off to Joe Callus in support for him to score under the posts. The try was converted and against the run of play Crawley were in front 7 -5 when half time came two minutes later.

With the half time talk ringing in their ears, Crawley started the second half as they had finished the first. The forwards were now more committed at the contact and were producing quicker ball. The back line made use of the quicker ball as they moved it away from the forwards and out to Dennis Payne who used his pace to round the attack and score under the posts after just 2 minutes. The next try was again the result of the forwards good work as Dean Gary repeatedly cleared out rucks to provide fly half Ben Maolney with quick ball. Ben spotted a gap in the defence and slid through to score. Hastings continued to work hard but they were beginning to tire as Crawley continued to move the ball wide whenever possible. Two quick tries on 14 and 15 minutes for Dennis Payne and Ellis Rouch extended the lead. And meant Crawley had secured the bonus point for scoring four tries.

Dale Tonkin replaced Oliver Plunket on the wing and Jack Jacob replaced Rob Molloy in the second row as Crawley continued to press for more points. Dennis Payne was again the beneficiary of some quick hands from Joe Radoux in the backs as he scored for his hat trick. The forwards were keen to get in on the act and Bob Grantham was in the right place at the right time as he grabbed the last two tries. One after supporting the backs as they pressured Hastings and drove them back over the line and one as the forwards drove to the line and he peeled off to score. Ben Maloney had taken on the kicking duties on the day and was successful with four of the conversions.

The first half could have seen Hastings clear but Crawley responded and turned their performance around in the second half to retain their unbeaten league status this season. Well done to all involved, including the travelling support and especially Ellis Rouch who was man of the match after a much improved personal performance on recent weeks.

Match Day Squad: Oli Wiseman, Andrew Cahill, Bob Grantham, Rob Molloy, Dean Gary, Jake Broughton, Joe Callus (Captain), Erik Dewell, Joe Morgan, Ben Maloney, James Goddard, Joe Radoux, Colm Gaul, Oliver Plunkett, Dennis Payne, Dale Tonkin, Jack Jacob.

Crawley 0 Heathfield 12 - 9th November 2008

Crawley played host to Heathfield for a ‘friendly’ fixture where both teams could try new players and tactics. Heathfield were soon on the attack and showing why they are in the league above. However, Crawley defended well and kept playing their way out of their own 22, often with Dennis Payne making the last tackle and then setting off with the ball. Eventually though the pressure told and after some good driving play by their forwards, the ball was moved wide through their backs for Heathfields left wing to open the scoring. The conversion from out wide was missed and the score was 0-5. The pattern of the game didn’t change and Heathfield continued to ask questions of the Crawley defence. But Crawley’s smaller side kept tackling the larger Heathfield side time and time again with Captain Joe Callus leading by example. As half time approached Crawley were defending their line and again attempted to run their way out of trouble. This time the muddy ball was dropped and from the ensuing scrum Heathfield drove forward again. The result was a second try for Heathfield that was this time converted. Crawley attacked from the restart but couldn’t score before the half time whistle. Crawley almost conceded a third try as the Heathfield number 8 chased his own hack through but was tackled by Colm Gaul who never gave up the chase and tackled him just short of the line.

Both sides used the match to give everybody game time and the second half started with a number of new players.

Crawley were now playing up the hill and Heathfield were keen to extend their lead. Time and again Heathfield attacked but Crawley defended manfully. Heathfield were held up in goal twice as Crawleys defence around the breakdown held firm. On a couple of occasions Crawley managed to break out of defence as Ben Maloney attacked the gaps but were unable to finish the moves with a score.

As the full time whistle sounded there was no further score for either side despite both teams moving the ball whenever possible. A testament to both sides hard tackling and defensive organization.

Crawley had definitely raised their game to be competitive against a good Heathfield side from a league above and the coaches were generally pleased with the days work. This years new recruits, Colm Gaul, Dale Tonkin, James Goddard and Andrew Cahill all gained valuable match time and continue to progress as they settle into the squad.

Match Day Squad: Oli Wiseman, Bob Grantham, Sam Cotton, Dean Gary, Jack Jacob, Joe Callus (Captain), Erik Dewell, Ellis Rouch, Joe Morgan, Ben Maloney, Jake Broughton, Joe Radoux, Colm Gaul, Oliver Plunkett, Dennis Payne, Andrew Cahill, Dale Tonkin, James Goddard.

Crawley 0 Sutton & Epsom B 38 - 26th October 2008

Crawley were keen to build on their recent league victory by giving all the squad more game time against new opposition. So they travelled to Sutton & Epsom for a friendly fixture.

In damp conditions S&E received the kick off. The early exchanges saw numerous handling errors from both sides as they adjusted to the wet conditions. After some sustained pressure, S&E were awarded a penalty 5 metres out as Crawley’s backline was up too quick at the scrum. From here S&E powered their way over to open the scoring. The try was converted to make the score 7-0. The rest of the first half was fiercely competitive with both sides having opportunities to score that were all squandered.

Both sides made changes for the second half and after only 3 minutes, Crawley were further behind from another converted try. The game was starting to turn as S&E began to cut out the penalty infringements from the first half and Crawley were struggling to gain the possession needed to attack. As S&E continued to press the third and fourth tries came quickly to make the score 26-0 to the home side. Crawley were still applying themselves and were starting to be more competitive. With scraps of possession Crawley did try to create a score but were unable to break their hosts. However, S&E were able to register their fifth try after some average tackling from Crawley. As the game went on both sides continued to give their all but Crawley were tiring and with the last play of the game S&E registered their sixth try and with the conversion made the final score 38-0.

The Crawley coaches were disappointed the team had not scored but were able to take a number of positives from the game as James Goddard made his debut and Andrew Cahill and Dale Tonkin made their first starts for the team. It was also a chance for a couple of the more established squad members to blow away the cobwebs in their first match of the season after being unavailable for the previous league fixture. This game was all about developing the squad before they return to league action at Willoughby Fields against Rye on 2nd November and to that end it was a success.

Match Day Squad: Oli Wiseman, Bob Grantham, Sam Cotton, Rob Molloy, Jack Jacob, Joe Callus (Captain), Erik Dewell, Joe Morgan, Ben Maloney, Jake Broughton, Joe Radoux, Colm Gaul, Oliver Plunkett, Dennis Payne, Andrew Cahill, Dale Tonkin, James Goddard, Ellis Rouch.

Crawley 19 Worthing B 0 - 5th October 2008

After a summer spent working on their rugby, both sides were keen to start their league campaign despite the heavy rain and strong wind. Crawley were missing a few key players and so several players were given the chance to push for places in a much changed team from last season.

It was clear from the start that Worthing were also keen to impress and leave with a victory as they looked to run the ball at Crawley with every opportunity. Crawley were also keen to attack with the ball in hand and showed some great enterprise. However, the awfull weather led to lots of handling errors from both sides as they got to grips with the elements. Eventually the deadlock was broken. Crawley cleared the ball from their own 22 and after pressurizing the Worthing defence, Bob Grantham popped the ball off the ground to Dennis Payne who sidestepped out of the first two would be tacklers. He then passed to Ben Maloney who used his pace to round the last defender and score under the posts. Sam Cotton was successful with the conversion to give Crawley a 7 point lead. The last 5 minutes of the half saw Worthing press hard but Crawley stood firm.

For the second half Crawley had the wind at their backs. The kick off did not go ten metres and Crawley had an attacking scrum on the half way. They won the ball and after moving the ball wide through several pairs of hands, Dennis Payne forced his way down the touchline to score out wide. Sam Cotton again stepped up but his conversion attempt fell just short. As in the first half, this was a tight game and either team looked like scoring save for a handling error at the last moment.

However, Crawley were beginning to win the forwards exchanges and this reaped it’s reward as quick ball was moved along the back line and finished with Oliver Plunkett scoring a try to the right of the posts. This time Sam Cotton was successful with the conversion, making the score 19-0. The remaining 15 minutes saw both teams battle hard as Worthing tried to get on the scoreboard while Crawley pushed for a fourth try. In the end neither team troubled the scoreboard again and the final score was Crawley 19, Worthing B 0.

The Crawley forwards had definitely raised their game and the backs had played some good rugby in atrocious conditions. Well done to all involved, including a rather wet balcony of supporters.

Match Day Squad: Oli Wiseman, Bob Grantham, Sam Cotton, Rob Molloy, Dean Gary, Jack Jacob, Joe Callus (Captain), Erik Dewell, Joe Morgan, Ben Maloney, Jake Broughton, Joe Radoux, Colm Gaul, Oliver Plunkett, Dennis Payne, Andrew Cahill, Dale Tonkin, James Goddard.