JUNIORS - UNDER 13'S NEWS

Match Report for Sunday 22nd February 2009

Grasshoppers 17 v Weybridge Vandals 33

With fifty percent of the squad away during the half term break, it was always going to be an interesting match; luckily Weybridge Vandals arrived with 16 players and we just about had 14 so, everyone got a game.

Neither team dominated but produced some good phases of play as well as some areas of indecisiveness. Weybridge Vandals went over first after some crucial missed tackles but Hoppers quickly responded with a try of their own to make it level at 5 points each. The breakdowns were messy and scrappy during which Rhys’s hand was trodden on and he had to be whisked off to the hospital. (Severe bruising but luckily no broken bones). This resulted in uncontested scrums.

Vandals centres looked very strong in both attack and defence and after some well worked moves, scored and converted twice before the half time whistle to end the first half 5-19.

Hoppers started the second half strongly, determined not to allow being one man down affect their game. Will along with our back line of Yun Shun, Aiden and Jack showing great hands and speed, creating space and making some good runs. They were all over the park tackling well and putting real pressure on Weybridge. This resulted in a further two tries for Hoppers only one of which was converted to bring us within a whisker of Weybridge at 17-19. Vandals kept probing our defence and eventually found a hole behind us in our full back position and also on the wing; if they weren’t running down that side, they were kicking over the top.

This, with some terrible missed tackles, eventually resulted in two further converted tries, ending the game 17-33. Thanks to the two Weybridge boys who took turns to play with us, you’re a credit to your club.

Match Report for Sunday 15th February 2009

Grasshoppers 39 v Finchley 0

Hoppers started very strongly and soon took the lead through Aiden O’Donnell. A further two tries were scored by Leon Devlin and one by Yung Shun. On each score the build up was similar, forward pressure making space followed by the ball being passed along the line of backs, simple and effective. 20-0 Half time.

The second half began somewhat scrappy, Felix Goodenough and Eden ? almost breaking through to score. The forwards eventually decided to join in the scoring as Luka Drulovic and Will Brown scored, both after some forward pressure from the scrum. Leon Devlin made it a hat trick with his trademark 60 yard run. A comfortable win 39-0. The Hoppers improving with every game.

Match Report for Sunday 1st February 2009

Grasshoppers v Datchworth

Hoppers kicked off on the first team pitch and were soon in command with prop Rhys Byron going over for a try under the posts after a quick tap penalty, O’Donnell converting 7-0. Datchworth came back strongly but the Hoppers defence held up well, a kick out from the 22 by Yung Shun was picked up by Leon Devlin who ran in from 60 yards, O’Donnell converted 14-0. More pressure from a 5 metre scrum led to O’Donnell going over for a try which he also converted 21-0. Datchworth did apply some pressure but to no avail, Charlie Brough stole the ball and Hoppers got up to the opposition 22 where Jan Von Arxs powered through for a try 26-0 at half time.

The second half was played a lot in the middle of the park with a lot of kicking out by Datchworth, one of these kicks was picked up by Leon Devlin who ran through the whole Datchworth team from half way to score under the posts 31-0, converted by Yung Shun 33-0 final score. A comfortable win for the Hoppers who dominated in all areas bar the scrum.

Match Report for Sunday 25th January 2009

Grasshoppers v Wallingford

The visitors started brightly on a windy, cloudy day and were 0-15 to the good within the first ten minutes, to say the Hoppers were asleep would be an understatement. Then the alarm bell started ringing and Hoppers arose. A quick tap penalty in the Wallingford 22 allowed Aidan O’Donnell to weave through for a try which he also converted, 7-15. Wallingfords’ forwards again piled on the pressure from the kick off but the ball was turned over, the ball got to O’Donnell who ran powerfully from his own half evading tackles to score his second, he also converted the try, 14-15, half time.

Again Wallingford started the better with their forwards dominating the scrum and the loose and despite some good defensive tackling the visitors scored again, 14-20. The game then ebbed and flowed with Hoppers generally improving. Jack Buckley stopped a Wallingford try with a solid tackle on the Hoppers tryline and then with the last play of the game Leon Devlin ran from inside his tryline to score a try, 19-20. Aidan O’Donnell lined up the kick to try and secure a hat-trick of conversions and for the win but missed, it was the easiest kick from the three but to score three conversions at this age group is probably more difficult than scoring three tries and somehow this theory still stands. A good tough match in which both teams had their moments and the scoreline of 19-20 was about right, just !

Match Report for Sunday 18th January 2009

Grasshoppers v Bank of England

The game was played in good but windy conditions in which neither side dominated in the early part of the game. BOE scored first after they pressurized the Hoppers defence

0-5. Hoppers struck back immediately after a clearance kick by BOE was caught by Leon Devlin who proceeded to ‘waltz’ the 30 yards required to the try line, 5-5. BOE maintained pressure for the next five minutes in the hoppers half winning scrums, penalties and line outs in the process but to no avail, Josh Scurville ran out of defence, Leon Devlin assisting, BOE were on the back foot Hoppers forwards capitalized and Rhys Byron went over for a try, Yung Shun converted 12-5. From the kick off Aidan O’Donnell powered through only to be superbly tapped tackled. Forward pressure was maintained and Will Brown scored, Yung Shun converted, 19-5. BOE stepped up again towards the end of the 1st half but good defensive tackling by Hoppers ensured a good half-time lead.

BOE with the wind and the slope hit back with two early tries to make the score 19-17.

Eden …….. almost scored after some good forward play by Jan Von Arxs and Luka Drulovic. A 5 metre scrum was won against the head and Will Brown went over for his second try, 24-17. BOE tried to hit back but to no avail, the Hoppers defence resisted, A break by Leon Devlin pushed back BOE into their 22. A penalty was awarded which was tapped with the forwards making yards thenYung Shun kicked through for Aidan O’Donnell to race onto, try 29-17. A good team performance.

Match Report for Sunday 11th January 2009

Grasshoppers v Sutton & Epsom B’s

The pitch at Banstead Road was too hard due to cold conditions so a Rugby league “touch” format was played in this friendly fixture. A mixed Hoppers side started the first half well and had the majority of the play. Gregory ran through with an inside line but was ‘tackled’ just short of the try line. Hoppers were camped in the S&E half and eventually scored through Yun Shun. 5-0 half time.

Running down the slope, S&E started the second half strongly and soon replied with a well worked try to even up the score 5-5.

Hoppers came back and after sustained pressure Yun Shun went over for his “brace” of tries, 10-5. Felix at scrum-half, was a constant menace throughout the game as was Charlie Brough who was keen to make forwards’ yards. There was time for a trademark Leon Devlin jinxing run which saw him make 50 yards. Conditions dictated that the game was going to be close but Hoppers were good for their win, a good team performance.

Thank you to Sam from S&E who stepped in to play with us.

Match Report for Sunday 21st December 2008

Grasshoppers 5 Ruislip 15

The first half of this match began with many errors by both sides with neither side dominating. Ruislip drove over well at the rucks and won many balls, but could not break the Grasshoppers defence. Luka Drulovic and Rhys Byron made some good penetrating forward runs then both sides stepped up, Ruislip going close to a try stopped only by Jude de Buitlear on the line. Hoppers ended the half stronger with a succession of penalties awarded, the final play of the half was a penalty attempt by Yung Shun which just went passed the left post.

0-0 at half time.

Ruislip broke the deadlock with a try despite some strong tackling by Ben Crew and Jan von Arxs 0-5. Hoppers bounced back with a beautifully scored blind side try by Yung Shun after some good forward pressure 5-5. Ruislip hit back with a try 5-10. We waited till 5 minutes from time for a trademark Leon Devlin run from his 22 to Ruislips 22, it looked like he was going all the way until a tap tackle from nowhere ended all hope of a close finish. Ruislip then scored in the last play to make it 5-15 despite some good tackling by Will Brown.

A big thank you goes to the two lads from Ruislip, Josh and Will, who stepped in to make up our rather depleted numbers.

Match Report for Sunday 7th December 2008

Grasshoppers 14 Bracknell 15

Hoppers started off the first half positively with territory being gained through runs from Leon Devlin and AJ Jayanathan but it was Bracknells big front five, four of whom would not look out of place in an U-17 side who did the damage, steamrolling three first half tries despite some valiant tackling from Kyle Percer, Michael Yates and Leon Devlin, 0-15 at half time.

Hoppers again started the second half with gusto and were soon rewarded by a try from Leon Devlin who ran in from his own 22. Yung Shun converted 7-15. Hoppers also defended well when required with Jan Von Arxs and Will Brown making important tackles. Hoppers again stepped up the pressure Phillip Hagen breaking into the Bracknell 22. Jan von Arxs and Leon Devlin made telling runs and Yung Shun and Rhys Byron crunching tackles. A break by Will Brown from half way led to another try which Yung Shun converted. 14-15 the final score. Many positives to be taken from the game, when Hoppers played simply they played well.

Match Report for Sunday 30th November 2008

Grasshoppers Under 13’s 5 Staines 17

Hoppers started brightly against Staines on a windswept, cold rainy day with Calum Lewis running close to the try line. Again Hoppers kept up the pressure Jan Von Arckx driving through after a tap penalty but Staines defence was excellent. Staines then got out of their half for the first time with a well hit penalty into touch. From the line out their huge No8 carried the ball up 10 metres from the try line before being tackled by Jack Buckley. Staines kept up the pressure and the Hoppers leaked 3 tries scored by their No8 and No 10 (2) in a 5 minute period. 0-17 at half time.

Again the Hoppers started the half with much possession but the Staines defence was robust, Luka Drukovic went over for a try after some good build up play. Hoppers were awarded a penalty in our 22 which Yun Shun passed to Aidan O’Donnell who ran up to 10 yards of the try line before being tackled superbly. After more pressure Yun Shun looked to be over for a try which was not given, 5-17 full time. A closer match than the score suggests but Staines’ forwards hunger for the ball ensured the right result.

Match Report for Sunday 23rd November 2008

Grasshoppers Under 13’s 22 Twickenham 10

Hoppers got off to a great start when Yung Shun fed Aidan ODonnell in his 22 who then powerfully ran off and scored, 5-0. A second try soon followed when some good work by the forwards enabled Yung Shun to kick crossfield for Leon Devlin to pick up and score, a piece of great vision by the Outside half, 10-0.

From the kick off Will Brown caught the ball, Aidan ODonnell ran through the Twickenham midfield to give the ball to Luca Druhovic who made the try, 15-0.

Twickenham then responded with a good try, their outside half making many smart moves in the build up. Just before half time Leon Devlin got on the scoresheet again with a mazy run from 25 yards, this was after some excellent pressure from the Hoppers forwards. Yung Shun converted 22-5.

In the second half Twickenham began well with their able No 10 again showing great skill. They score to make the score 22-10 to ensure an interesting last 15 minutes. Both Jack Buckley and Ricky Agar make try saving tackles In the Hoppers 22 on their No10. Twickenham were still pressing to the end but Callum Lewis ran out of the Hoppers half with a 50 yard run. In the last play Jack Buckley and Jude de Buitlear made excellent tackles to ensure a solid Hoppers victory 22-10.

Match Report for Sunday 5th October 2008

Grasshoppers Under 13’s 5 – Harrow 34

What a contrast to last week, when we started our first league match against Harrow on a dark and rainy day. Rain, rain go away, come again another day! If only we could have come back another day too – the quality of play was any Coach’s nightmare!

The players were well warmed up and as we went through our final preparations, we were optimistic of a win as all our previous meetings had gone in favour of Grasshoppers.

When we started the game, Grasshoppers went into the usual “oh are we playing?” and went behind by two very quick tries. Our defence was poor as players did not tackle and instead tried to rip the ball which resulted in many passages of play being taken up by just a mass of players on their feet pushing and fighting for the ball. After much shouting from the sideline, the forwards started to drive lower and we won a few turnover balls when Harrow took the ball in, but were shoved backwards and could not get the ball out.

Slow drifting defence in the backs allowed Harrow to run at us looking for chinks in our armour and eventually Harrow scored again just before half time. By now, several players had been substituted due to injuries and many were complaining. Thinking they were just sore losers, I began to wonder if we really could come back another day when the Harrow touch judge hit Aiden, who was by now starting to find holes in their defence, on top of his head with the flag.

Despite this, the second half started strongly for Grasshoppers and Aiden stepped through several loose tackles to put our first points on the board. This only served to renew Harrow’s resolve to step up another gear and as our lack of tackling and team play continued, Harrow ran in another try. Again Grasshopper gritted their teeth and some good passages of play followed but, while we seemed to have the lion share of possession in the second half, we could not convert them to points. Our presentation of the ball was excellent but the slow arrival of support players meant we were driven off the ball several times and Harrow managed to score twice more just before the end of the game.

A poor start to our league matches and a lot of work to do…

Match Report for Sunday 28th September 2008

Grasshoppers Under 13’s 22 – Twickenham 29

On a bright and warm Sunday morning, we had a fantastic turnout, ready to face Twickenham. It was our first game of the season and while it was a friendly, the squad was rearing to get on the pitch and start playing. Twickenham’s squad was little smaller however, but they agreed to play three games of 20 mins which gave us a chance to get everyone a game.

As the whistle blew at the start, it was not long before Twickenham scored their first try and then their second – it was a typical slow start by Grasshoppers. Once we started making our tackles, we started spoiling Twickenham’s chances of running in tries down the wing and our players started to play like a team. What we really needed now was a try and after a great turn over ball, some slick passing and quick heels, AJ managed to get over in the corner; unfortunately, the try was disallowed as ‘second movement’.

Starting the second third of the game, the Grasshoppers dug deep and a great miss pass by the fly half Yun Shun, saw our winger Josh score in the corner. Twickenham upped their game again and once again they ran in another two tries on the outside. This was quickly followed by another well deserved try from our no. 8 Will, who by now was starting to find gaps in the Twickenham defence. Luka made a powerful run upfield with about five Twickenham players hanging off him before he was brought down. Great recycling of the ball saw Grasshoppers score again (Luka) and starting to take the upper hand in the game and to their credit, Twickenham defended well.

As we entered the third and final phase of game, after relentless waves of attack and great defending by Twickenham, Rhys went over for another try. Just as we started to think we could beat them, Twickenham burst through the middle and their very fast winger glided in with the final score of the game.

A good game was had by all and thanks to Twickenham for our first fixture of the season.

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