Streatham-Croydon U15s need to iron out the creases

For a team that began training together two weeks ago in their first fixture of the season, having seen last weeks fixture cancelled, Streatham-Croydon RFC U15s came away with heads held high. Starting the day with a squad of 17 players available but suffering from late withdrawals and the exertions of school rugby the U15s began the match with 12 opting against the offer or opposition players when when asked.

Starting brightly from the kick off strong tackles led to a turnover from a with Rimarni Richards able to pick and go gaining yards before an offload missed supporting hands. However, the bright start soon became scrappy with both teams unable to win clean ball until Battersea Ironsides managed to move the ball through hands to the exposed blindside scoring a simple 3 v 1, where the missing numbers would have been.

Ironsides were to score two more tries in a similar vein during the first half sandwiching fantastic work by Damani on debut who managed to hit and spin through several players towards the try line before offloading to Jamal Ryan-Coker and Brayner Andrade who both were unable to burry it over for the try.

At Half time the players were reminded of the positive work they had put in, the slick work from the lineout, strong tackles and pressure on the scrum half but encouraged to take the ball at pace. From the receipt of the kick off the players responded. Hard running into contact followed by a swift recycle into a quick forward crash before a wide ball to the back row who were unlucky to not gain further yards before a scrappy ruck which left several players needing treatment.

The nature of the game soon took its toll despite strong leadership in defense from centre Linford Annan on debut gaps opened up with Ironsides managing to cross the line several times having found space in a broken field.

Overall a very promising but rusty performance from the U15s unfortunately let down by several no shows which meant they could not perform to their maximum. This is still a growing unit on the lookout for additional players of all abilities so come on down to Frant road on sundays from 10am and show us what you've got.