Fixture

Chepstow U16s had yet another away game in their calendar and travelled to Whiteheads for a 10am kick-off. That was a bit early for some as a handful wandered in at 9.50am.

The warm-up was good and the boys seemed switched on, especially in comparison with Whiteheads who were struggling for numbers. After sharing 2 players with the opposition, the game got underway with Rob Supple stepping in to referee for the first 15 minutes.

From the off, the Chepstow players were hesitant whilst he Whiteheads team had switched on fully. They dominated the tackle and breakdown area which meant Chepstow attacks were regularly broken down. The quality of the game wasn’t great and 3 breakaway tries were scored by Whiteheads were scored in very frustrating circumstances as the defensive line did not form at all. The final try seemed to wake at least a handful of the boys up, assisted by the introduction of Rhys Swain who immediately upped the work rate of the pack. Chepstow got into a better shape with Will Supple working hard, alongside Angus, Dan Pocock and Freddie. Will Ruck and spencer put in some big hits. Consistent pressure was applied as Edwin was provided a platform to release Thomas and Keegan into full flight with Joe Beard making some good carries. Soon Chepstow were on the scoreboard with a Will Morgan try. Half-time 19-5 to Whiteheads.

The boys knew they had to pull themselves up a gear or two. The introduction of Harry Taylor, back from a shoulder injury, also added some impetus. His work rate got us on the front foot early in the 2^nd half, Dan, Joe Clough and Jayden Davies responded well to put in some good work around the breakdown. Jayden Williams put in some good tackles and carried well. The extra workrate meant extra ball available to use. Callum had switched to inside centre and carried well, making good yards. The backline was working hard with Tom Wacey and the recently joined Hugh Kocheta working hard scooping up the home team’s kicks. Thomas and Keegan combined, consistently getting behind the defensive line for Keegan to score 2 tries with one conversion being narrowly missed from a difficult angle. The score was now 19-19 and momentum firmly in Chepstow’s hands.

However, our usual story of a defensive lapse allowing an opposition speedster to stretch his legs took as us behind again 19-26. Tensions were getting high and tempers frayed. Chepstow kept their composure and worked another good try but again a difficult conversion that didn’t quite make it so we were still behind. Harry Taylor scored another unconverted try to take us into the lead with only a few minutes to spare. We should have controlled the game from there and looked to play territorially but didn’t. A simple knock-on in our own half and a failed backs move, again I our own half, meant that a subsequent penalty was within kicking range. Their outside half coolly slotted it over to tie the scores very late on.

There was time for one further attacked and Chepstow were within 5 metres of winning the game but Whiteheads defended hungrily to turnover possession and kick to touch feeling happy they had drawn the game. Final score 29-29.

Things to be pleased about:

• We did manage to respond positively despite being on the backfoot
• The backline is starting to function much better in attack
• Set piece worked well
• The boys were happy to rotate playing for the opposition to ensure we had a full blooded game

Things to work on

• We need to stop giving teams a head start, this is 3 weeks running that we haven’t played for the first 20 minutes
• Hunger at the tackle area and breakdown – we are too slow
• Leadership - the boys need to motivate each other and hold each other to account to perform

On we go……