Youngsport: A festival of rugby as Bredon host Worcester

Despite the cold wind and snow showers more than 200 Bredon junior players aged six to 16 years gathered to take on Worcester with the Under-15s also hosting the North Midlands RFU Plate quarter final against Shrewsbury RFC.

Under-Sevens:

There were snowflakes in the air when the games started but the boys were oblivious to the cold when the games started. We played two five a side games of touch rugby on our two pitches at the same time.

The quality of play was superb with everyone involved in some great running, passing, supporting their team mates, tagging (i.e tackling) and of course scoring tries! While the results were not important, Bredon in the end shaded three of the four games played.

Under-Eights:

Some excellent defending from Bredon against strong opponents saw a number of try's on both sides. Bredon's Omar led the way with two tries which with brilliant running by Max and tagging by Harry and Sam helped to bring it to a 5 all draw at the end of the first game. The second game had some wonderful rugby with Charlie and Jack supporting their team mates and George scoring a super try to take Bredon into the lead. Tom retrieved a loose ball at a key moment from which Bredon's Ollie scored 2 further tries. With Worcester matching us one for one a final try by them in the last minute secured a further draw to end 11-11.

Under-Nines

With flair and passion from the off, the honours went to both sides with a real demonstration of sportsmanship, maturity and excellent running rugby throughout the morning. The Bredon defence were stoic in keeping Worcester at bay and some notable performances from Alex Jameson at scrum half and Josh Witts on the wing with the centres of Toby Jones, Ben Withnall and Jo Abanussar keeping the game moving at an exhilarating pace. Every player had a role and they all played their part – commitment never in doubt.. Scores were equally matched games the first to Bredon 4-3 and the second to Worcester 5-4.

Under-11s

This was going to be a tough match and the first 20 minutes did not disappoint with both teams competing hard with some good rucking and tackling and terrific scrums. Bredon had much more of the possession but were struggling to score until scru- half Gus Milton managed to hold up the maul and allowed Bredon to make good ground.

 The ball was quickly passed down the line to Captain, Freddie Thomas who went over for his first try of the day. At the restart Bredon were again stronger, they cleared the ruck quickly and the ball was fed through the backs and to Thomas who was over to score again. Worcester stepped up and started to increase the pressure on the Bredon line, although Bredon just soaked it up and eventually turned the ball over with  Ben Oliver kicking the ball two-thirds of the pitch and in to touch.

At the line out Bredon almost scored again through Matt Oliver but a big tackle stopped him on the line.

The second 20mins and Bredon were again the stronger team even though the rucks weren't going as well.

The ball was spilled by Worcester and James Petts picked it up, passed it through his hands but then pushed in to touch 5 metres out. At the line out, Thomas stole the ball and was over for his third.

Worcester re-started and Bredon were straight back at them, a couple of big tackles from Bradley Stubbs and William Gamble stopped any Worcester progress. Just five metres out Bredon's Milton fed the ball to Gamble who piled through the defence but a Worcester hand held the ball up and we were into another scrum.

Bredon regained their strength and the effort was rewarded with a try from Matt Oliver followed shortly by a second from Thomas at the re start.

In the third 20mins and Bredon seemed to be tiring and were missing tackles, almost five in a row which Worcester took advantage of and scored their first try.

At this stage Worcester were arguably the stronger team but Bredon held strong and some timely substitutes made all the difference and Bredon finished the game with 2 further try's from Thomas with Ben Oliver converting all three.

Final score Bredon 49 Worcester 7.

Under-13s

This Sunday Bredon U-13s headed North for an away game against a very strong Worcester side. 

Everyone was expecting a tough match for Bredon, on the pitch and on the scoreboard, but some resolute defending and superb attacking rugby put pay to this. 

Bredon started the match brightly and ended the first half with a 15 -10 lead having scored three tries to the home side's two.

There was no let-up in the second half either but Worcester's superior fitness showed and they raced into what proved to be an unassailable 32-10 lead but Bredon never gave up and gave Worcester a real scare by scoring three late tries of their own to make the score Bredon 27 Worcester 32.

Under-15s North Midlands RFU Plate Quarter Finals: Bredon V Shrewsbury

Bredon played hosts to Shrewsbury in the quarter final of the North Mids plate having met them at exactly the same stage last season when the visitors notched up 40 plus unanswered points. Within two minutes it looked like it was to be repeated as their strong running centre scored a well worked try, doubled within 10 minutes. Credit to Bredon who battled well to keep the score down to 14-0 at half time.

After the break despite the efforts of Jake Carolan who dominated at nine and Tom Kenwright who ran with great purpose it was the visitors who scored through their impressive openside to effectively take the victory. Bredon didn't give up with Jamie Parke scoring and Jack Dowdeswell converting to narrow the gap and another Bredon try at this stage may have made a difference but a sloppy couple of tackles gave Shrewsbury a try under the posts. Within the dying minutes they scored the final try to end the match 33-7.

If you are interested in playing rugby, then Bredon Star RFC welcomes all new players whatever experience or age - take a look at their website www.bredonrugby.org  or pop along and see them at Bredon on a Sunday Morning.