Captains report

Our first game on Saturday was against Pencode rugby club on a very wet and muddy pitch which meant it wasn't ideal for running rugby. We were against a big set of forwards that was a very even match but we managed to catch them out from a scrum pick and go. It was really close through out and at half time we had to talk about shipping the ball out wide. We had 15 minutes to go and we were 2 points down when we then broke through their defence after several phases to score near the posts. We dug deep and managed to hold out their attack with some strong defending to secure the win.

Jack

Roving reporting Dave Walker's Report

A wet dank day with lots standing water made conditions difficult. We had a great warm welcome from our hosts. A quick discussion with the ref and other coaches to establish the laws as the Welsh RFU age group laws are different to ours!

Early pressure from kick off led to scrum inside their 22. A textbook pick up and go with good support from Oli meant JB scored the first try. Harvey stepped up and pulled just right. From the restart Braintree continued the pressure and good use of width though the back line lead to Harry Mc running wide and scoring in the corner. A harder kick this time and despite a good effort Harvey pulled it right. Pencoed applied good pressure at the restart which led to several line outs and they continued to pile on the pressure which eventually lead to a score which they failed to convert. The next 5 minutes was a battle for the center of the pitch which eventually led to a steal through our line out and a break through our lines and despite Lois and Harry P chasing back they managed to slid over on a very wet pitch. They then had the first conversion of the day.

Second half
Kick off from them continued the struggle for the middle ground for first 5 mins. Clearance kick away from our 22 by Copper who had moved to the 10 shirt was caught and run straight back into our 22. Good solid kicks away took the game back to a middle ground and Braintree started to push wide. A knock-on resulted in a scrum to them which lead to pressure back in our 22. Oli kicked to relieve the pressure which was well chased by Braintree and break from Calum gave us a scrum in their 22. Sam made 10 mtrs with a pick and go, Callum then took up the charge and recycled to Harry P who drove over from 5 mtrs. Harvey successfully converted. Good pressure from restart and lots of counter play from each team, saw several scrums to them inside our 22. A break for our line was thwarted by Ben who drove them back from our touch line. Scrum five out with 5 mins to go gave Braintree the opportunity to apply pressure and put a kick deep into their half only to be stopped due to an injury to them. Scrum from where the kick was taken which Braintree won and kicked to their 22 with good follow pressure but unfortunately we gave away a penalty which they took quickly but was well stopped by Cooper and drew a turn over to us. A Collapsed scrum but due to potential injury their prop and hooker the game was stopped by the ref. just short of time. Both boys then after treatment fully recovered. A great start to the tour against a strong side.