Sunday 16th October and the second Friendly run out for the u14's.
This time against another highly competitive rival of of ours --> Brighton Blues. Last season we beat Brighton in our League game 14 v 12 literally in the closing seconds of the game with a conversion. Could we repeat that victory in what would obviously be a tightly contested game? Game played at home and with the luxury of being allowed on Pitch 1 again...

Night before and indeed the morning of the game we had torrential rain... Was this to be a game for the forwards, or, would the rain stop and pitch hold out for some running rugby? Well the rain did stop and the pitch was perfect.

Brighton arrived early in numbers... I think around 26?... a very full and strong squad. G's had a number of last minute drops from the squad, so a fielded 19 for the day that didn't give everyone we would of liked a run... but those 19 would have to work hard against the likely fresher legs of Brighton.

A Friendly format of 4 quarters was to be played to allow for teams to make evaluated subs and give time to re-group and coach.

Kick-off 10:50
As ever for me, caught up in the moment(s), the blow by blow detail eludes my memory. But the key points remain.
Brighton came out of the blocks on fire and immediately looked the stronger team. They seemed to dominate possession and territory to start camped just inside the G's half. 5 minutes in and after some up-front forward confrontation, they worked the ball to the wing who managed to evade and score... unconverted and G's 0 v 5 Brighton.
Wake up call for G's and the forwards now started to get some momentum. Andrew Burns (9) and James Young (10) started getting more clean ball and with it the time to call some plays. 10:59 and a called move saw our rampaging Zac Collins go over the line. Converted by James Young and G's went ahead... G's 7 v 5 Brighton.
Play was very balanced between the sides. Working from side to side of the centre line with each side having a glimpse of an upper hand, before a turnover and things going the other way. G's Forwards now though were starting to get in their stride and contesting of the breakdown looked more structured. 11.19 though and Brighton had another break through - another Try and this time converted the score went to G's 7 v 12 Brighton.
3rd Qtr and trailing the G's came out again attacking with confidence but Brighton reminding us that they're highly competitive and rolling subs were being made for momentary knocks, injury and simply to give legs a rest... it was exhausting to watch!
11:34 and the next G's score came... almost a repeat of the previous with Zac Collins once again showing absolute determination to break the line and multiple tackles along the way. Score converted by James Young and G's now led G's 14 v 12 Brighton. The game went on fiercely contested by both sides for the remainder of Q3 and Q4 until the final whistle and the delighted cheers from the G's Team... Only a friendly?... Everyone could hear what the win meant to the boys!

Some additional highlights from the game; outstanding individual breaks from Archie Neill who was unlucky not to score, Classic intercept from Rory St. Clair Alcock with 65m 'dash' down the left touchline... again unfortunate not to score, some tremendous leg chop tackles from Ryan Trotter showing us how to do 'the Job' correctly after his little ticking off for a high tackle (our apologies to Brighton), and once again, some fantastic handling skills with light pop-passing between forwards and backs interchanging and making ground down the 5m channel... It's a coaches delight to see those handling practices paying dividends.... Thanks guys.

And thanks to Brighton again for providing us with fantastic game, great morning of Rugby!

MoM
We picked 2 this week (coaches were divided)
For his high tempo and relentless tackling particularly in Q1 and Q2 that just didn't allow Brighton any free flowing ball. Plus... some excellent play calls and making those plays 'stick' - and... a couple of conversations that made all the difference to the score line... Backs MoM went to James Young.
In the Forwards, a number of players really are making our games a joy to watch. One in particular this week one who has grown and grown in stature (from all aspects) over the past 2 seasons and really did put in a tremendous work ethic. Tackles made, quick to feet and back into the game, powerful and decisive Ruck clearances... This week Harvey Snashfold led his pack from the front.
Well done boys and keep up the good work... if you lead, the others will follow :-)

Next up.
Our first Youth Competition game Away against Hove on Nov 6th.
The first 2 tests with tough opposition of Horsham and Brighton we hope have served us well.
Some learning to take away for a training sessions before Hove... But the Team will be ready!