Sharks warm up in Cardiff

Match report by Gary Townsend (Coach).

The U14 continued their blossoming relationship with Mumbles RFC by accepting their invitation to attend a four way warm up “festival” at Whitchurch RFC.

With 24 boys in attendance, and 23 fit to play the Sharks had by far the biggest squad on the day, which was to prove useful to one of the other sides on the day which lost a player early on to injury.

Game 1 v Mumbles

Playing on an adjacent football pitch, the Shark U14s took did not settle at all into the first game and looked a little stunned to be playing rugby again. The Sharks got on the score sheet first through Jacob Evans – who unfortunately was on loan to the Mumbles team. It was a well worked try from the Mumbles back line, who hit hard in midfield, creating space out wide, which was capitalised on by Jacob.

The attack never really got into the groove, which was outlined by an interception try, with the Sharks back line being too flat from a line-out which was food and drink for the sharper Mumbles side. Where Sharks were good was in resilient defence against a fairly rampant Mumbles team. Time after time attacks were thwarted, with one noteworthy try saving tap tackle from Pete Atherton. The relentless pressure had to pay off eventually, with two further tries.

Sharks did score one of their own, with some good inter-passing culminating in the sweetest off load from George Cogzell which pulled in the outside defender and put George Briggs into space to score. They were also very close to scoring the try of the day when Jordan Shaddick made a break and got behind the defence. Eventually held he was able to slip the ball out of the tackle to Adam Chadwick who hit an exquisite line. Unfortunately the timing was slightly out and the ball was knocked forward. Nearly a wow moment – but showed real promise

Mumbles provided an object lesson in running from depth, support and moving the ball forward and wide. Sharks had a slow start but showed some glimpses of their potential

Game 2 v Llantwit Major

An interesting game with 5 individual tries and one good team effort. Adam Chadwick offered to play for the opposition and proved to be one of their stronger players. His work rate was huge and he turned the ball over on numerous occasions. So much so, he was probably the player of the match.

The team had learnt some lessons from the first game and scored tries through George Briggs (2), Sam Kessler (2), Jordan Shaddick and James Appleby. James’ try was made through some sustained pressure and penetration in midfield involving some fine passing and off-loading culminating in James supporting and crossing the line.

Meanwhile Sam Green was guesting for Mumbles on the other pitch and giving a very good account of himself.

Game 3 v Whitchurch

The 3rd game provided the best half of rugby for the Sharks. Resilient defence and a passage of play which so nearly saw James Appleby cross the line following some excellent close quarter play from the forwards demonstrated to all watching that Sharks could play some attractive rugby. Eventually the pressure was rewarded through a scintillating try from deep by the speedy Jacob Evans who ran around the Whitchurch defence.

The tackling from Macauley Chesson was a revelation, with some scything hits throughout

After some tenacious defence which saw Whitchurch held up short of the line on numerous occasions, the hosts eventually scored to level the score. That seemed to galvanise Whitchurch who scored again. Despite an excellent first half performance the second score seemed to sap the energy and will from the Sharks side and Whitchurch scored two further tries.

It was odd to note that Llantwit then played Mumbles and drew! A good deal of that was down to the efforts of Pete Atherton who guested for Llantwit and put in another excellent performance.

Some excellent bits in places which showed true potential, interspersed with some average bits and a few good bits, which showed the need to focus. We will work towards the default being very good, interspersed with exceptional and good. Consistency is an objective and it was pleasing to note that Harrison Hughes, Will Hawkins, George Cogzell, Sam Merrick, Adam Chadwick, Ollie Maggs and Pete Atherton performed well throughout, with glimpses of high performance from others.

Mumbles and Whichurch showed us the benefit of sustained depth and pace. We will continue to work on that.

We will also work towards fortitude, resilience and “dog” – not shrinking when the score is against us and maintaining focus and concentration on performance, performance, performance! Let the score take care of itself.

We should be proud we scored in every game. We should be proud that we had such a full squad, and that Hamish chose to spend the day supporting the team despite injury. We should be proud that Jacob, Pete, Adam and Sam G represented Sharks by playing for the opposing teams and performed so well. We should be proud that we were invited to attend the tournament because Mumbles enjoy the attitude, play and environment you have created.