Under 10s Follow the Evesham Road to Redditch

A strong squad of 20 made the journey north to the home of the needle industry on Sunday, pinning their hopes on a continuation of the running rugby from the week before. Great conditions for rugby, a little chilly for the parents and too cold for Bernard but the players from both sides were unphased.

Both clubs fielded 2 teams of similar ability, Evesham divided into Blues and Maroons - both playing in Maroon to avoid confusion with the identical blue of Redditch.

Game 1 - Maroons v Redditch 1
Two 8 min halves saw straight running by Redditch testing the Maroons defense through the central channel and with both teams rucking and mauling well it was Evesham who managed to put in the big hits and move the ball through the hands to find some space out wide. The encounter ended with Evesham scoring 5 tries and Redditch 0.

Game 2 - Blue v Redditch 2
Again in 2 halves of 8 min Evesham showed the benefit of summer fitness training and some real pace with ball in hand. Valiant defense from Redditch and some good counter rucking were met with deft handling and acceleration from Evesham Blues who managed nine tries without reply. Particularly pleasing to watch a try come from every player involved in the same phase of play; tackling and rucking to create a turnover, running with ball in hand and in support, mauling and finally scoring.

Game 3 - Blue v Redditch 1
With the clock against us, halves were cut to 5 minutes each and an exhausted and breathless Blues stayed on to face a rested Redditch 1. Redditch again tested the central channel with some big lads running straight at a solid Evesham defense. The closest encounter of the day finished with Evesham winning by one try to nil.

Game 4 - Maroon v Redditch 2
Last game of the day, 5 min each way and a change of referee (well stepped in Ed) saw Evesham find the try line 5 times and Redditch score a well deserved try in reply.

Try scorers this week were Wycherley (5), Brett (4), Gilderson (3), Cross (3), Johnson (2), Stone (1), Neal (1), Merrell (1)

A note of thanks to the Redditch referee who let the game run well and clearly explained any stoppage for the benefit of all.

Man of the match this week was George Tinson who has made real progress and competed well at the breakdown today.