U14 side sink in muddy match

Throughout 2015 the U14 side has been in transition due to injuries. However, the first match of 2016 saw the return to league action for the team and the return from injury of several players. With the only absentee being Rimarni Richards the sides captain.
With a team of 14 versus a full Dorking team including subs and on a pitch troubled by a week full of rain the game was not ideally set up for flowing rugby. Yet, credit to both teams fantastic rugby was on display. The game started at good pace with both teams trying to draw first blood. Streatham-Croydon defending well to prevent a barrage of Dorking attacks. However, an offload from the Dorking winger as he was tackled into touch by the fantastic covering work of John Olloh created just enough space for Dorking to cross the line.

Streatham set about trying to stamp their authority into the game but were soon further down after a handling error following a good passage of play gave advantage to Dorking who were able to cross down the wing exposed by the missing man 0-10. Dorking pressure began to tell after another period of possession, despite strong support offloads were too often not going to hand. Dorking won a penalty after a misunderstanding in defence which lead to a scrum conceded 10 metres away from the Streatham-Croydon line from which with their nine scored after nifty footwork through an unresponsive defence. The players still appeared to be sleeping as Dorking ran over down the exposed wing seconds later after receiving the restart. 0-20

The shock of Dorking exposing the man advantage spurred Streatham- Croydon into action, identifying spaces out wide the players set about trying to gain ground then spread the ball. Jamal Ryan-Coker (pack leader) was the first to test the Dorking defence running to the 22 and engaging several Dorking players before Donte, playing his first match for the club, strode in-field , drawing more players in before offloading. However, cold hands and a slippery ball meant that John Olloh was unable to capitalise. Unfortunate not to score the team pressed on with strong support play and intensity. The reward for their effort came when from a lineout Remaro , in only his second appearance at the club, drove infield. Clean ball from the ruck allowed Romeo Brown to pass to Conor Oresanya, captain for the day and despite some confusion in midfield the ball came to Ben Crewe who was able to cross the line from the 22, Conor slotting the conversion. 5-22.

Having scored in the last minutes of the half, the team were keen to build on the score. However, as in the first half Streatham-Croydon found themselves under pressure almost instantly and despite good defending, clearance kicks landed in opposition hands who crossed through the exposed space left by being a man down creating two tries. 7-34 .A further try being added down the wing after a sluggish kick off response. This provoked a strong response from the team. Conor Oresanya having seen previous kicks caught, kicked short and despite the kick falling short of the 10m line the Dorking winger played the ball and after great tackling and rucking from debutant Donte and Brayner Andrade the ball was made available. Quick ball out into midfield led to further metres gained and a second piece of great ruck work from Kishan Anrude led to more clean ball from which Ben Crewe was able to cross for a second try. 10-41

From that point on the game was all Streatham- Croydon. Receiving the kick off Nathan Addy-Walker charge forward gaining ground before Jamal Ryan-Coker gained the ball from great support play. Dorking then turned the ball over but a wave of red knocked them back and turned the ball back and with passing and support played the ball to Donte who made good metres cutting infield before the attack petered out.

Soon after Ethan Morris was unfortunate to not score with two surging runs, the first from a pick and go, the second from the penalty resulting from the ruck formed after the first run. Despite further effort including strong running from Remaro there were no further scores in the game. 10-41. On a day where there was doubt whether the pitch would even be playable the boys did themselves proud. Despite a slow start and playing a man down at points two, there were periods of dominance which signal positive things to come once the remaining injured/absent players return.