Quins Cup - Heartache as Streatham-Croydon U15s run out of steam

This was a game of ‘if only’. If only the game ended at 57 mins; if only we had correctly grounded the ball over the line not once but twice; if only we supported the big ball carriers; if only we had defended for the full 60 mins – we would have claimed a famous victory. Ultimately, it was an agonisingly close defeat. The lead had swung back and forth. Streatham-Croydon u15s held on to a narrow 28-26 lead going into the final 3 minutes of the game. However, it was OWW (Old Wimbledon Warriors) who claimed the spoils, pulling away with 2 converted tries to claim a 40-28 victory. The team just ran out of steam and their defence was found wanting when they needed it most.
However, the team played so well and should be proud of their efforts. Despite conceding an early try through lacklustre defending, the team dominated the first half eventually going into the break 14-12 up. Tries by Jaden and Harvey were just reward as they dominated up front and made it count. The second half was just as even. OWW’s backline was better organised but our forwards led by William at No8, Sam and James (6 and 7) allowed Streatham-Croydon to stay on the front foot. Each side claimed two more tries each (Samad and Jaden) and with Diran successfully kicking all four conversions, it looked like the boys would be able to hold on. But it was not to be. OWW scored a breakaway try and shortly after the restart, OWW’s Flyhalf showed real class to score a solo try from just inside his half to twist the knife into the team’s heart.
The team gave 100% but having not played together for nearly a month due to Storms Ciara and Dennis and the half term break. There were signs of collective rustiness and this was evident by a couple of uncharacteristic handling and decision-making errors.
The U15s have a chance to go again next Sunday 8th March in the rescheduled game against Cobham. Lets hope that they atone for this most painful of defeats.