Glasgow Under 16s

Match report Glasgow U16 v Caledonia U16
Monday, 23 March 2009

Glasgow U16’s pull together to play sumptuous final 30

Glasgow U16’s pulled together to perform an excellent spell of rugby in the final 30 minutes of their match versus Caledonia U16’s at Selkirk RFC on Sunday 22nd March. Things did not look good as Glasgow played into a strong wind and were pinned well inside their half by Caledonia’s kicking strategy and dominant pack through the first half. Penalties by Caledonia’s kicker made the score 6-0 (12 & 22 minutes) and only breaks by Beckwith, Ferguson and Bennett relieved the pressure from Glasgow’s 22. The wind hindered Glasgow’s attempt to escape their own half and only their strong defence around the breakdown kept Caledonia from scoring a try. Glasgow’s excellent defensive effort looked like talking them into half time without conceding a try but with the last play Caledonia crossed the white line. Caledonia again gained excellent field position and from a catch and drive from the lineout drove in towards the posts. Clean ball allowed them to attack the blindside and passed to their winger who easily outflanked the cover defence to run in from 20 metres.

Half time – Glasgow 0 – Caledonia 11

Caledonia came out strongly and from a lineout on Glasgow’s 22 they drove twice into the midfield before easily passing the ball through the hands and scoring in the corner after only 4 minutes. A 16-0 lead however did not look to daunting as the strong wind continued to drive down the length of the pitch. The try spurned the Glasgow forward pack on and suddenly they dominated the scrum, lineout and breakdown, finally releasing the backs with go forward ball. Caledonia made a mistake behind their scrum just inside their half and from the turnover Glasgow spread the ball wide to Beckwith who sprinted past 3 defenders to score in the corner (8 minutes). Soon after the restart Caledonia were awarded a scrum – again Glasgow pressure resulted in a ball against the head. A good pick up and drive from replacement No. 8, Templeton, and quick ruck ball released Bennett through the center of midfield and he easily stepped the full back and scored under the posts (13minutes). Scott converted to make it Glasgow 12 – Caledonia 16.

As the match entered the last 20 minutes Glasgow exerted pressure through intelligent kicking from Scott and Bennett. Winning the ball, again from turn over ball strong runs from Beckwith, Hughes, Steele and the impressive Bennett left a gap around the breakdown for scrum half Steele to dive over from close range (22minutes). David Scott converted. Caledonia tried and tried to break out of their half with some good breaks and forward drives but their continuity let them down and Glasgow continually pinned their opponents back in their half. A penalty for going off their feet at the ruck meant that Scott stepped up to make the score Glasgow 22 – Caledonia 16 (30 minutes). The match finished with Caledonia battling to get out of their half against a buoyant Glasgow team.

Final score - Glasgow 22 – Caledonia 16