Caldicot Under 15 V’s Drybrook under 15’s

The weather from the South of France had decided not to return to the South Eastern shores of Caldicot in Monmouthshire but instead had gone to southern Spain instead! The weather although warm for this time of year (end of October) was slightly overcast. The conditions under foot were firm and it made for favourable for running rugby with a slight wind from the south.

The visitors today to the Stadio De-Longfellow were from the Gloucestershire region of the Forest of Dean: Drybrook. A team Caldicot had never played before, and this would therefore make for interesting match as the opponents were unknown quantity.

A few players were missing for today’s match due to injury and absence and Darren and Alan had to make a few changes. The team was as follows:

In the engine room (the forwards): 1) Steve Allsop, 2) Jack Herbert, 3) Benjamin Mckeon-Williams, 4) Alex North, 5) Jordan Fuller, 6) Billy Roberts, 7) Adam Davies, 8) Jack Kedward (Captain)

Driving the car (the backs): 9) Nick Weaving, 10) Liam Spencer, 11) Joel Brian, 12) Dan Cassey, 13) Will Branston, 14) no winger &15) Callum Lewis.

The water bottle carriers (the replacements): Guy Nicholas, Brandon Mustoe, and Kieran Samules (aka Dodge)

The man in the middle with the whistle, for this week’s game: Mr Karl Lewis

As Caldicot were playing a team from England there was no lifting in the line-out and Drybrook only had 14 players and so one winger was dropped from each side.

The game got under away and Caldicot kicked off, and nobody on the Drybrook claimed the ball and it bounces into touch just inside the visitors 10 metre line and 22. Line-out to Drybrook who win the ball and try to attack from just outside there own 22. Defence from Caldicot is robust and from the resulting ruck, Drybrook clear there line pushing deep into the Caldicot half.

Caldicot have the throwing at the line-out just outside there 22 but the throw wasn’t straight and the referee awards a scrum to Drybrook in a good attacking position. Drybrook attacked from the scrum, but spill the ball, and knock-on, referee allows advantage to Caldicot who look to counter attack through Liam Spencer, who decides to chip over the top of the Drybrook defence. Drybrook take and reply with a high kick; the ball is well gathered by Callum Lewis who goes on a run and takes play up into the visitors half.

Is well tackled by the Drybrook defence, but Callum Lewis is lacking support from the forwards, who are slow to arrive, and eventually the ball is not coming from the ruck. It’s a scrum down to Caldicot, but the Drybrook pack get a squeeze at the scrum and manage to turn the scrum but the ball still comes out on the Caldicot side and some how mange to lose the ball. The visitors grab the lose ball and kick deep into the Caldicot half putting them on the back foot again.

So far, the game is a little bit lose and both sides are making mistakes and play moves from one from half to the other. However, Drybrook seem to be making most of the play in the early exchanges, and nearly score when there outside half kicks through and the Caldicot defence has to back track, but Joel Brain makes it safe by tapping the ball down over the home side’s try-line and they relive the pressure from a long drop out from the 22 which takes play up into the Drybrook half and they knock-on.

Caldicot’s scrum is suffering in this area as the visitors pack seem to be the stronger, but manage to attack through the backs and Will Branston makes a wonderful break through the Drybrook defence and takes play deep into the visitors 22. However, the Caldicot attack breaks down and Drybrook manage to steal the ball and clear into the Caldicot half. Steve Allsop catches the ball and immediately takes the attack back to Drybrook, he slips the ball to Jack Kedward who makes further progress into the visitors 22 and the attack looks promising. Jordan Fuller sadly fails to take the pass and knock-on’s.

Caldicot after weathering the early storm from Drybrook seem to have picked themselves, and are looking for some points as they keep pressurising the opponents try-line seeking there first try. However, Drybrook win the scrum and kick from there 22, and Callum Lewis takes the high ball and goes another great run taking play back into the Drybrook half. Under the high ball, Callum Lewis has been very solid and is always seeking to carry the game back to Drybrook.

So far, no points on the board for either side, although both sides are trying to play there best, but the handling and execution is somewhat lacking on occasions.

Caldicot though are still pressurising there opponents and keep play in the visitors half. From the resulting line-out Caldicot maul there away into the visitors 22, but the referee is not happy, has he can’t see the ball coming. The scrum, this time is better from Caldicot and they attack through Jack Kedward, but again the support from the Caldicot pack is slow to arrive and a promising move breaks down, they infringe at the ruck and Drybrook clear there lines from the penalty.

Both sides throwing at the lines-out has not been brilliant, and this time Drybrook can’t get the ball straight, so handing the advantage back to Caldicot. At this point, Alex North sadly leaves the field with a knee injury and is replaced by Brandon Mustoe. The pack is reshuffled and Jack Kedward goes into the second row with Brandon Mustoe going to number 8. From the resulting scrum, Drybrook win the ball against the ahead and there centre cuts back through the home side deference, this time the defence is a bit leaky and they make good yardage into the Caldicot half. However, the final pass is intercepted and Caldicot relive the danger and immediately look to take play back into the visitors half and win a penalty from the resulting ruck.

Still no score, but play still in the Drybrook half and they look to attack by kicking over the top, but again excellent anticipation by the full-back, Callum Lewis reads the play well and goes on the counter-attack, taking play back into the visitors half. However, Callum Lewis is lacking a bit of support, he eventually gets the ball to Dan Cassey who can’t take the pass and the visitors put in a clearing kick reliving the pressure. However, Caldicot still in the 22 and again looking to attack this time through Brandon Mustoe, who makes one of his trade-mark terrier runs.

Caldicot keep the momentum and the tempo of the game up and Liam Spencer puts a nice kick through for the home side runners to chase after and Joel Brian races through the covering defence and almost gets the tap down, but the Drybrook fullback is there to make it safe for the visitors. The first points almost come, but Caldicot are deny.

Drybrook have a penalty but fail to make touch and again Caldicot look to keep the pace up and seek to attack through the backs and they take play deep into the visitors 22. Jack Kedward takes play on and almost scores, but his hands fail him at the last moment, and he loses the ball over the try-line. Another try has gone begging.

Five metre scrum to Drybrook, but there scrum is strong and the scrum-half puts a reliving kicking. However, it gratefully drops into Joel Brian’s hands who gets up a head of steam but he can’t get the pass away and Caldicot knock-on.

From the resulting scrum Drybrook show some enterprise and kick through, this time Callum Lewis, uncharacteristically, fails to gather the ball, and its a kick and chase for the Caldicot try-line. Fortunately, Dan Cassey is on-hand to get the tap down and saves the day!

Liam Spencer relives the pressure with a clearing kick and Drybrook gather, seeking to attack but eventually the ball goes into touch and the referee blows up for half-time. Score is Caldicot is nil, Drybrook nil.

Although Caldicot had lots of territory and put pressure on Drybrook, the points weren’t forthcoming, and during the interval, Darren and Alan made a few changes with Guy Nicholas coming on for Dan Cassey, and Dodgy coming on the winger for Joel Brian.

Drybrook get the second half away, and kick long, and this Brandon Mustoe takes and straight away takes the play deep into the Drybrook half with this time, good support play from the Caldicot forwards, the attack is eventually put into touch just outside the visitors 22.

However, Caldicot keep the pressure up and Drybrook can’t clear there lines and remain in there 22. Play is stop due to an injury to one of the Drybrook players. Play is eventually restarted after a long delay, and it’s a scrum down to Caldicot in the Drybrook 22, but the home side fail to take the advantage and lose the attacking position as the visitors steal the ball and kick to clear there line. Callum Lewis takes the ball and this time looks to put up and under into the air, but unfortunately the ball goes straight out into touch.

Callum Lewis makes amends however, as from the resulting line-out; Drybrook put another kick through which he gathers well and again sets-up a counter attack. The Drybrook defence is strong and solid and halts the attack but they infringe and Caldicot are awarded a penalty just outside the visitors 22, which is in kickable distance. Liam Spencer duly steps up to take the kick and slots over the penalty and its 3 nil to Caldicot. First blood to Caldicot! Just rewards for all there hard work to date!

Drybrook restart, and kick long which Brandon Mustoe takes and pushes play deep into the Drybrook half, the move is taken on but eventually the ball goes into touch. From the resulting line-out, Caldicot seek to keep the pressure and add more points, but the ball is lost and Drybrook come away it. They look to counter attack and take play deep into the Caldicot half, the move looks promising as the Caldicot defence can’t quite get to the Drybrook winger and he scores a wonderful sole effort in the corner! Its Caldicot 3, Drybrook 5. However, the Drybrook scrumhalf misses with the conversion. Despite all the pressure Caldicot were putting on the visitors they now find themselves behind.

Before the restart, Alan and Darren make a few changes, with Joel Brain coming back on at full-back and the safe pair of hands of Callum Lewis going to hooker as Jack Herbert comes off.

Liam Spencer restarts and puts a good hanging kick into the air but both sides fail to gather the ball and bounces into touch. However, it’s a penalty to Drybrook as Caldicot appear to have tackled the man without the ball. They kick to touch and bring play back into the Caldicot half, a place, in this half; they’ve not visited too often. From the line out Drybrook put a kick through, however, Joel Brian just has adept as Callum Lewis, at fullback, takes the ball and seeks to set-up a counter attack taking the ball deep into the visitors half.

From the ruck, Caldicot loses the ball and it bobbles around on the Drybrook side and they fail to gather and infringe at the second ruck – penalty to Caldicot. However, before play can recommence, there’s an injury to another Drybrook player, who after a long pause eventually leaves the field. Everybody is a bit confused, it’s a scrum or a penalty at this point. However it is a penalty and Liam Spencer pushes play up into the Drybrook 22. Caldicot now with there tails up, are looking to add some more points and get back in the lead.

The line-out is messy, and the ball some how or other, comes back on the Drybrook side who football style, volleys the ball into touch, but its outside the 22, and play is brought back to just outside there 22 for another line-out. Jordan Fuller takes at the front of the line and the pack drove towards the try-line, but are held up, and Drybrook infringe at the ruck. Caldicot take a quick tap and go and drive for the Drybrook try-line but they’re not back ten meters, and the referee awards another penalty, this time the visitors win the ruck and gain a scrum.

Drybrook look to relive the pressure but they make a silly mistake at the scrum and are penalise for feeding. Caldicot take a quick tap and go and drive towards the line, but the whistle blows again. Karl Lewis, the referee, as a quick chat with the Drybrook team who keep infringing at the ruck area. This time from the tap penalty they go wide through the backs and Will Branston makes the break and scores a well deserved try! Its Caldicot 8, Drybrook 5. Liam Spencer lines up the kick up and adds the extra 2 points, to take the score line up to Caldicot 10, Drybrook 5.

Drybrook restart and kick long and the ball is again taken by Brandon Mustoe who thrusts deep into the visitors half. Play is carried on by Jack Kedward and Will Branston makes another superb break in the middle, pushing play deep into the Drybrook half. Play stops for the moment, as it’s another injury to a Drybrook player, again another long delay. Eventually play restarts just on the halfway line and it’s a scrum to Drybrook; Caldicot take one against the head and look to attack.

Liam Spencer this time opts to chip over the top and manages to gather his own kick. Support arrives from the Caldicot forwards and takes play into the visitors 22. From the ruck Caldicot keep the pressure on and attack through there backs, again Will Branston cuts back inside and looks for the support of the forwards. Unfortunately, lose the ball at the break down area and Drybrook come away with it, and look to counter attack from deep within there own half, but the Caldicot defence is solid and they halt the attack. Ball isn’t coming from the ruck and its scrum down to Drybrook who immediately attack and make good yardage into the Caldicot half.

The move breaks down; the ball goes lose and that man again, Brandon Mustoe, is hand on to hack the ball through and it’s a foot chase, but he appears to be impeded by the Drybrook players. The referee allows play to continue and eventually from the lose ball, Caldicot continue the attack into the Drybrook 22. Play is eventually stops as there’s another injury to a Drybrook player. Caldicot are keeping up the pressure and looking to add more points for all there possession and territory, but the Drybrook defence so far as been pretty solid.  

The match is now entering it’s finally moments and from the scrum, Caldicot look to attack through the backs. They move the ball swiftly through the backs and wide to Dodgy who pins his ears back and goes for the line and scores a marvellous try in the corner! Score board now reads: Caldicot 15, Drybrook 5. However, the Drybrook players aren’t happy and a small dust up begins between the two teams, but it’s quickly extinguished. Liam Spencer looks to add the extra points, but it’s a difficult kick out on the touch and he sadly misses the conversion.

Final whistle blows and the score is Caldicot 15, Drybrook 5.

Overall, a bit of scrappy game at times, with both sides making numerous mistakes, however, it was never the less, quite an entertaining match. The Caldicot forwards in particular, apart from one or two, seem to be off the pace of the game, which was a bit of a shame especially after last weeks superb performance against Abergavenny and MillHill. Still a win is a win, and after a not so great performance the team will hopefully pick themselves for next week’s tester against Bath!

This week’s man of the match, and with a safe pairs of hands: Callum Lewis!

 Report by Mike H Mckeon-Williams