A 13 aside under 15 Rugby match between Annan and Stewartry u15’s took place at Annan rugby Club on 11 December 2016.
The game started with both teams appearing to be evenly matched with strong tackles and runs being made. Both teams were trying to use their strong running backs in the early stages. The first score came from Stewartry, who were in Annan’s 22 metre area when Finn Telfer received a pass from Peter Young and grounded it in the corner. The try was unconverted. Annan soon fought back with good runs by their dangerous full back and after some promising defensive tackling by the Stewartry boys, Annan forced their way over for a try under the posts which was converted. This was a stern reminder to the Stewartry that they the were in a game, and soon made progress over half way. David Martin snaffled the ball and ran through to score near the posts. There was some big tackles by both sides and especially Jack McGarva on his debut with a great double tackle on a flying Annan back saving a potential try. Annan soon came back at Stewartry again, forcing the way down to near the goal line. Good strong tackling and snaffling of the ball allowed Peter Young to clear the danger. Good work in the breakdown area allowed Stewartry to make good ground near the Annan 22 metre line. A scrum was the result and from a swift Patrick Quigley pass the Stewartry open side flanker Paddy Traynor ran directly through the Annan defence for a score next to the posts. Halftime score – 17- 7.
The second half started well with Stewartry soon in Annans half. One off the best moves of the match allowed Stewartry scrummage which resulted in quick ball where scrum half Patrick Quigley passed to Finn Telfer who took the tackle offloaded to Paddy Traynor who also took a tackle and offloaded for Peter Young who still had work to do to score between the posts. A fine move by the Stewartry. However, things were not going all Stewartry’s way when Annan made great ground and won a penalty near the posts. The Annan scrum half showed great awareness and made a cross field kick for the winger to touch down for a deserved second try in the corner. Learning point for Stewartry backs. The Stewartry were now gaining more control at the scrum and Patrick Quigley delivering some accurate passes to the backs. A fine move allowed Finn Telfer to use his speed and dummied the Annan backs before striding through for a try under the posts. The Stewartry, through good game management by Peter Young at stand off, were now using the width off the pitch and both Kerr Dalrymple, Kieron Brand and Euan Reeves all had fine runs up the wing before being stopped by Annan defence. After Kierons burst Stewartry won the line out and Finn Telfer ran through a gap to score his third try of the game. It was the last play of the game and Stewartry were pressing hard at the Annan line when David Martin made some ground and offloaded too Finn Telfer near the corner and he, in turn popped the ball up to Jack McGarva who dived over in the corner on his debut. This was a fitting end to Jack’s debut performance. The joy on Stewartry boys faces was a delight when he touched down. Final Score – Stewartry u15’s 43 – Annan u15s 12. Peter converted 4 tries.
A couple of the big runners for Stewartry were unavailable through illness so the rest of the squad had to work that bit harder. The commitment of the boys was magnificent and the team spirit is getting better each week. Man of the match was Jack McGarva for his outstanding debut performance but closely followed by David Martin and Finn Telfer. The unseen work in the scrum by Murray McKenzie, Aaron Murray, Paddy Traynor, Thomas Unthank, Robbie Briggs and Andrew Boden should not be forgotten. It was great to see a bigger split on the try scorers All the boys acquitted themselves well and should be proud of a great team performance.
Alan Burns
Ass. Coach
