Fixture

This morning the U9's left the snowy climate of Oakdale and headed down the valley to Whitchurch we were greeted with glorious sunshine.  Whitchurch won the toss and started the game Max Rossiter, Zac Tucker, Thomas Gregory and William Morgan put in some great tackles which caused the knock-on and scrum to Dale.  Connor Thomas passed to William Davey who had an excellent run, the ref awarded a scrum to Whitchurch for the Dale running into each other. Unfortunately for them Whitchurch dropped the ball from the scrum it was scooped up by Thomas Gregory who used his pace to leave the defence behind to score the first try of the morning, 0-1. Whitchurch restart and score a try with some hand offs along the way, 1-1.  Dale started with a great run from William Morgan he passed to Max Rossiter and onto Thomas Gregory, Thomas wasn't held in the tackle and was penalised for not releasing the ball??. The Dale soon gain back possession with a knock-on, William Davey had a good run and pass to Dafydd Price.  Whitchurch regain possession but are soon tackled into touch by Oliver Cooke, possessions remains with Whitchurch for two in a tackle, Thomas Gregory comes in and this time lands them in touch.   James Williams has a good run he passes onto William Morgan who has an excellent run through the defence to score 1-2.  Whitchurch respond with a try 2-2.  Dale restart and we see excellent teamwork, the ball is passed to William Morgan who once again ploughs his way through the defence to score 2-3.  Whitchurch thought they had equalised but Thomas Gregory came across and tackled them into touch on the try line.  William Davey, Thomas Gregory and William Morgan all had great runs down the field but the first third whistle was blown.

Whitchurch 2 - Oakdale 3

Dale start the second half with a great run from Dylan Caddy he passes on to Thomas Gregory who finds the try line to score 2-4.  Whitchurch restart Thomas Gregory chases them down and tackles the player but it was just on the try line 3-4.  William Morgan takes the ball, an excellent offload onto Max Rossiter, to Connor Thomas who offloads to Zac Tucker and on to Thomas Gregory the ball finds its way back to Zac Tucker who with an excellent reach scores the try 3-5.  Whitchurch restart excellent tackle by Zac Tucker causes the knock-on and scrum to Dale.  Play advances with William Davey and Thomas Gregory offloading to each other the ball goes loose but it is claimed by Zac Tucker he has an excellent run and passes to Gabriel Jones who is tackled on the line, he looses the ball, knock on scrum to Whitchurch.  The ball is thrown out of the scrum but not claimed by anyone and it rolls into touch.  Dale pass the ball back to Max Rossiter who storms through the defence to score 3-6.  Whitchurch restart tackles by Dylan Caddy and Gabriel Jones cause a loose ball which is picked up by William Davey he has a determined run to score 3-7.  The Dale defence are still very strong but Whitchurch managed to break it and score 4-7. Zak Tucker restarts with a weaving run he offloads to Thomas Gregory who claims the try, 4-8.  Whitchurch restart Zac Tucker, Oliver Cooke, William Morgan and again Zac Tucker put in tackles the ball goes loose Thomas Gregory claims the ball but a knock-on gives Whitchurch the scrum. Whitchurch are tackled into touch by Zac Tucker.  William Davey takes the ball he has a good run before passing to Gabriel Jones an excellent offload to Thomas Gregory allows him to score 4-9.

Whitchurch 4 - Oakdale 9

Dale restart the last third with good run by Dafydd Price, Whitchurch gain the ball and use to score, 5-9.  Dale restart and a great run by Dylan caddy unfortunately finds touch.  Whitchurch take the ball a great tackle by Thomas Gregory sees the ball go loose, he pounces on the ball but is deemed to have knocked on, it is picked up by Whitchurch and they continue to play Oliver Cooke tackles Whitchurch into touch, the scrum is awarded to Whitchurch for the previous knock-on. Whitchurch were unable to put the ball to good use and a dropped pass gave Dale the possession excellent runs by William Davey and William Morgan, great teamwork sees the ball passed out to Dafydd Price who heads towards the try line and scores, 5-10.  Whitchurch start with quick run Thomas Gregory chases them down and tackles the player into touch on the try line but try awarded, 6-10. Dylan Caddy has another great run but Whitchurch gain the ball and score, 7-10.  James Williams weaves through the defence and almost makes it to the try line but is tackled, the ball is passed to Max Rossiter and onto Thomas Gregory who does score, 7-11. Whitchurch restart and a knock-on gives the scrum to Dale, the ball is fed back to Gabriel Jones who has an excellent run and finds the try line to score, 7-12.  Whitchurch restart with another knock on giving the possession to Dale, we see an excellent run by Dafydd Price he passes loads of defence but is tackled on the try line and drops the ball. Whitchurch regain possession Gabriel Jones, Thomas Gregory and Oliver Cooke put in tackles trying to stop them but they score the last try of the game, 8-12.

Final Score Whitchurch 8 - Oakdale 12
 

Coaches comments :- this was probably the best all round team performance so far this season, it was a pleasure to see all the hard work from training paying off. Tackling, passing, offloading and good straight runs had the coaches and parents feeling very proud!!

Man of the Match was awarded to the Team!