Old Leams U14 v Shipston U14

A depleted Shipston U14 squad produced a great team performance to run in 9 tries against a strong Old Leams team on 22 March, eventually running out 57-19 winners.

With a lot of players out the team was re-gigged with usual flankers playing outside centre and on the wing, a prop playing inside centre and our full back playing his first game at No. 10. All stood up to the challenge in great style.

Shipston were immediately on the attack from the kick off and broke through with a Jamie McGinn score in the corner in the first few minutes to go 5 up. No 8 Ed Turner stepped up to knock over the conversion from the touchline with his first kick for over a season.

It wasn’t long until Shipston went over again with Turner breaking clear inside Shipston’s 10 meter line and racing through, holding off the full back, and scoring under the posts. The drop goal conversion attempt from Max Carter was just wide.

Shipston had total control of the game and soon scored again under the posts with Turner converting to give Shipston a 19-0 lead and more soon followed with Morgan scoring in the corner after a determined effort to beat 3 defenders. The kick from out wide was once again converted by Turner to give Shipston a 26-0 lead.

Old Leams were still in the game though and started to gain some territory eventually going over out wide to make the score 26-5.

Shipston weren’t finished though and responded with a try from Alex Sabin breaking through out wide to score for a 31-5 lead. With minutes to go until half time Old Leams were determined to stay in the game and scored on the last play to close the gap to 31-12 at half time.

The first score in the second half was always going to be important and Old Leams gained a footing in the game going over early after some missed Shipston tackles and the gap was closed to 31-19. The pressure was on and Old Leams had control of the game for the next 5 minutes but Shipston were determined not to be broken down and broke clear to gain some territory.

With a dominant scrum and some great rucking Shipston once again took control of the game and soon went over for more scores from McGinn, Turner and Sabin, with Turner adding some extras. McGinn completed his hat trick towards the end and added the extras with a drop goal for a final score of 57-19.

An outstanding performance from everyone especially the players trying new positions for the first time.