Under 13's EC Rugby Festival Report @ Holt RFC

We took 10 players to the festival at Holt for our first set of games back from the Christmas break. The cancellation of West Norfolk meant that we would would play only two 25 minute one-way matches, and unfortunately these would be back to back.

After a very brief warm-up, we kicked off against Norwich B. We borrowed two Norwich players, one taking a position in the 2nd row and the other going out to left wing, in order to have an even 12-a-side game. From early on we put pressure straight on the Norwich team. We were quicker and more forceful in the breakdowns, and through the likes of Mac and Harry hitting the rucks early, we forced Norwich to turn-over the ball early on. Nathan was handed the ball with 15 yards to go and forced his way through the Norwich back-line, dragging half of them with him as we drove through for the first try of the game.

On receiving the ball from the kick-off, the Norwich team drew the game level again quickly. Showing what they could do when given a chance to move the ball, with Crusaders bunching up behind the breakdown, they found space with a good pass to outnumber us on the right and run the ball home.

As the game progressed from then on, a promising pattern began to emerge. With Callum regularly hitting the ball carrier early and ripping the ball on serveral occasions, backed up by us winning ruck after ruck, aggresive tackling from Nathan, and quick movement off the ball out of the breakdown from Kieran, we had a huge share of the possession. We were causing problem for Norwich all over the pitch. We worked the ball well on the right, with Joe making some strong runs before feeding to Ross out wide to gain more yardage. Dillon was quick in making himself available at the breakdown to make important runs at inside-left and keep stretching the Norwich defence. Our real penetration came through the middle though. Twice, the Norwich defence were unable to cope with Alex's strength as he battered his way through them to extend our lead to two tries, soon adding a third with a powerful run as a hole opened up for him and he ran home unchallenged towards the corner from 20 yards. Nathan added another, with another powerful forward's run after good work in Norwich's scrum from Mac, Harry and Joe had won us the ball.

Norwich then enjoyed a purple patch of their own. They scored 3 unanswered tries as they moved the ball well from left-to-right and then reversing, probing to move our defence around, and opening up holes in the line. They had pacey players and when our defensive line bunched or missed tackles they punished us effectively.

Crusaders rallied though, and Dillon working diligently at inside-left made some good ground before releasing the loanee Norwich winger. He tied his usual team mate in knots with an excellent step inside before taking the ball over the line.

George ran in the final try of the game with a great break-away try from a long way out, Norwich missing their initial tackle and then simply not able to deal with his pace, for Crusaders to achieve a well-deserved victory of 7 tries to 4.

With only a couple of minutes respite in order to regain their breath, Crusaders were straight back in against a strong and fresh Wymondham side. Again, players were loaned as we evened the numbers up at a full 13 a side. The effect of the effort put in to the previous game showed ealy on. The Wymondham side looked fresh and strong as they scored a couple of early tries, taking the ball at pace through gaps in our line. We lost some of the intensity in terms of getting to the ball at the breakdown, with Wymondham outnumbering us in the ruck and diving early to win the loose ball. A couple of balls coming out of the side of the scrum put Kieran in trouble as he was hit early and just managed to get a pass away, but simlar pressure and energy regularly won the ball for Wymondham as they notched up a healthy 4 try lead. As is becoming typical with this Crusaders side though, the heads refused to go down. As George stepped back from the defensive line to guard against the quick breakaways, holding runners up regularly to allow the likes of Joe to make important tackles, Crusaders again started to show signs of what had served them so well in the first game. They were forcing Wymondham back towards their own try line. Callum again ripping the ball importantly, Mac and Harry competing hard and re-balancing the rucking situation. Some big tackles from Nathan, Callum and Alex were slowing the Wymondham players, and Dillon, Joe and Ross were all having some joy in making yards when the ball came out wider. Despite the game becoming closer, and some unquestioned effort and territorial advantage gained by Crusaders, we were unable to stop Wymondham scoring again with their big forward opening up a hole and again releasing a runner through the middle. All the hard-work did pay off though, as we got a try we more than deserved. George was released by an off-load and he brilliantly ran clear of the defence to score towards the corner.

A break-away try in the dying moments for Wymondham, as we again looked to win possession and drive them back, was more memorable for George's amazing 40 yard chase and tackle 5 yards out, only for the supporting player to pick up and take the ball in for the try.

Wymondham ran out winners, 6 tries to 1, but the effort and commitment showed by each and every player was unquestioned.