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Bittersweet….
John Mouland8 Feb 2017 - 07:29
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Bittersweet…. Is how it feels to have beaten our local rivals for the first time in a competitive fixture
and yet still see Fording’Ton exit the Hampshire U14 Vase at the semi-final stage, with the vanquished Ringwood & Ellingham progressing on to the final.
Having had to bring forward the date of this fixture, due to the vagaries of the various School Half Term Holidays, a sickness bug on match day further decimated a much depleted Fording’Ton squad. With only 12 players Fording’Ton were forced to accept two players from the opposition in order to complete the fixture. Under the rather ambiguous competition rule pertaining to fixture fulfilment, this action meant Fording’Ton were forced to concede in the competiton.
As both sets of players were unaware of this decision having been made, what followed was a full blooded local derby. Played in an excellent spirit, sympathetically and expertly referee’d, both sides showed how much they have progressed since these teams first met as mini’s some 7 years ago.
Fording’Ton, off the back of a committed and dominant display the previous week against Gosport & Fareham, began the match in a similar vain. And it was from their second possession, and following a typically fluid passing move, that Fording’Ton opened the scoring, Jacob beating four defenders to score in the corner. The pattern for much of the rest of the half was then set, with both sides attacking and defending, neither being able to exert any meaningful dominance. In the final few minutes of the first half the stalemate was broken with each side managing to cross the try line. R&E scored first, then Seb completed another fine solo effort for Fording’Ton. At the half time whistle Fording’Ton led 12-10.
Half Time – Fording’Ton 12 Ringwood&Ellingham 5
The first half of the second period belonged to Fording’Ton. The Fording’Ton scrum began to exert dominance, and with winning more ball at ruck and maul, Fording’Ton quickly ran in two more tries, one of which was converted. With 10 minutes remaining Fording’Ton had a healthy 24-5 lead. Whether it was tiredness or a little complacency, Fording’Ton then allowed the opposition back into the game, and in as many minutes R&E had scored two converted tries. Now back in the game at 24-19 down, R&E were intent on running everything, even from their own try line, and it was on one such occasion that Alex, reading the play superbly, scored from an interception. From the last play of the game R&E scored again but Fording’Ton had done enough to secure the local bragging rights.
Full Time – Fording’Ton 29 Ringwood & Ellingham 26
Couple of special mentions. With the much depleted squad a number of the Fording’Ton players were asked to play in unfamiliar positions. Even at this age, the scrum is technically complicated and physically demanding. Freddie stepped forward into the front row, and after initial difficulties, adapted to the role expertly. For a forward to move from the huddle of the forwards to the isolation in the backline is similarly challenging. Henry managed this as if he had been playing there his whole career.
And finally mention must be made of the four Ringwood & Ellingham players who were forced to play for Fording’Ton. They all appeared to fit in seamlessly and committed 100% when wearing the Fording’Ton shirt. As commented during the post match meal, this speaks volumes for them and their club.
Having had to bring forward the date of this fixture, due to the vagaries of the various School Half Term Holidays, a sickness bug on match day further decimated a much depleted Fording’Ton squad. With only 12 players Fording’Ton were forced to accept two players from the opposition in order to complete the fixture. Under the rather ambiguous competition rule pertaining to fixture fulfilment, this action meant Fording’Ton were forced to concede in the competiton.
As both sets of players were unaware of this decision having been made, what followed was a full blooded local derby. Played in an excellent spirit, sympathetically and expertly referee’d, both sides showed how much they have progressed since these teams first met as mini’s some 7 years ago.
Fording’Ton, off the back of a committed and dominant display the previous week against Gosport & Fareham, began the match in a similar vain. And it was from their second possession, and following a typically fluid passing move, that Fording’Ton opened the scoring, Jacob beating four defenders to score in the corner. The pattern for much of the rest of the half was then set, with both sides attacking and defending, neither being able to exert any meaningful dominance. In the final few minutes of the first half the stalemate was broken with each side managing to cross the try line. R&E scored first, then Seb completed another fine solo effort for Fording’Ton. At the half time whistle Fording’Ton led 12-10.
Half Time – Fording’Ton 12 Ringwood&Ellingham 5
The first half of the second period belonged to Fording’Ton. The Fording’Ton scrum began to exert dominance, and with winning more ball at ruck and maul, Fording’Ton quickly ran in two more tries, one of which was converted. With 10 minutes remaining Fording’Ton had a healthy 24-5 lead. Whether it was tiredness or a little complacency, Fording’Ton then allowed the opposition back into the game, and in as many minutes R&E had scored two converted tries. Now back in the game at 24-19 down, R&E were intent on running everything, even from their own try line, and it was on one such occasion that Alex, reading the play superbly, scored from an interception. From the last play of the game R&E scored again but Fording’Ton had done enough to secure the local bragging rights.
Full Time – Fording’Ton 29 Ringwood & Ellingham 26
Couple of special mentions. With the much depleted squad a number of the Fording’Ton players were asked to play in unfamiliar positions. Even at this age, the scrum is technically complicated and physically demanding. Freddie stepped forward into the front row, and after initial difficulties, adapted to the role expertly. For a forward to move from the huddle of the forwards to the isolation in the backline is similarly challenging. Henry managed this as if he had been playing there his whole career.
And finally mention must be made of the four Ringwood & Ellingham players who were forced to play for Fording’Ton. They all appeared to fit in seamlessly and committed 100% when wearing the Fording’Ton shirt. As commented during the post match meal, this speaks volumes for them and their club.
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