Forres Sandle Manor 25 - Sandroyd 15

Well folks, it’s taken 9 years to do it but the U13 boys finally took the win against Sandroyd. First of all credit to Sandroyd, who are coached by Mr Irving an ex Glasgow warrior and Scotland age group player who each year produces excellent teams and have made this fixture a real battle for every team in the previous decade. They’ve become the team to beat on the circuit but yesterday the boys cracked the code.

Where to start….. Whilst Sandroyd weren’t the biggest team they could move the ball extremely well which meant FSM’s defence had to be on top form, and it was!

The middle of the park led by Clayton and Jack is pivotal to the defence working as a team and the boys absolutely nailed it this week. So much so that Clayton read Sandroyds attack so well that pressed the line hard and and took a brilliant interception and sprinted the 25m to the line for the first try. The whole team were buoyed by this and it immediately put any doubt in their minds that this was a game for the taking. Soon after that Josh dotted down in the corner with a trade mark break away try beating defenders with handoffs and footwork.

It felt at times that the ball was in play forever with both teams proving that even with damp, muddy conditions they could both pass the ball through the hands for some exciting open rugby.

In the forward pack Samuel and Jasper and Elliot all had their best games to date making huge tackles and crashing through the defence with the ball in hand. The boys are beginning to make a formidable front row trio.

Jeppe, JoJo and Yehor who all continued to be a handful both in defence and attack with Yehor making some excellent trademark runs and big hits.

Ricky and Seb yet again were up against some tough wingers and both had a real battle on their hands which they manage to both deal with. It wasn't the weather for wingers but well done boys.

Thomas was also instrumental in the game today and scored a contender for try of the season charging through the defensive line pumping his legs and dragging 3 boys over the line with him.

Ben terrorised the rucks and got a brilliant turnover towards the end of the match which eventually led to Josh’s second try of the day, and 6th for the week. Ben had another well rounded game. Running hard tackling low and causing his usual mischief at the bottom of everything.

Josh the captain, yet again played his pivotal role and everything good the team did scoring two well taken tries with hard no nonsense running smashing through the defence not only raw power but great footwork as well. Positionly he read the game brilliantly and had dropped back a couple of times to counter attack off Sandroyd’s kicks.

Todays man of the match for the second time this year was Barnaby who tackled ferociously with everything from chop tackles to dump tackles to no arms tackles he demolished the oppositions runners and put a real marker down as a hitman within the side. Quick ball yet again from the base of rucks allowed Josh to work his magic unselfishly putting others through.

Today’s match was a proud moment, in my own FSM career finally getting the win against a big gun on the rugby circuit, but full credit must go to the boys in the team and with their blood sweat and tears secured a famous win.

Well done chaps. Top job! Now on to next week.