A round up of this weekend's age group games!
U14 Boys v Bracknell, by Ben Rees
Basingstoke's U14 Boys welcomed Bracknell RFC to Down Grange with the boys aiming to provide a Mothers Day rugby treat for the mums on the touch line. With lots of the team having a run out in unfamiliar positions a good start saw Stoke take an early lead, but Bracknell were quick to respond and they were edging the breakdown as some stoke hesitancy allowed Bracknell to control the game in the first half.
With a narrow lead to the visitors at half time the boys realised they would need to increase their intensity and line speed to control the tempo of the game and earn the right to play. The home side really picked things up in the second half and were able to establish a strong lead running in 4 tries. Bracknell stuck at it though and were rewarded with a try of their own in reward for their efforts. A good competitve game with a well earned home win for Stoke 32-17.
U14 Girls - Road to the Rec, by Darren Lillywhite
Basingstoke u14 Girls played in the ‘Road to the Rec’ festival organised by Bath. The festival was made up with some very good teams from across the region with the prize for the winners a finals day to be played at the Rec.
Basingstoke won their first two games against West Berkshire Warriors and Trojans, but lost the last group game against a powerful Hove side. This placed the girls in the ‘Runners up’ final against a new opponent for us in Melksham to play for 3rd place. A tight game which could have gone either way was edged by a very well drilled and deserving Melksham side.
The girls showed fantastic commitment and determination, not taking a backward step all day. With everyone putting their bodies on the line the day certainly took its toll physically with the Basingstoke girls picking up a number of knocks and injuries. Fingers crossed and wishing all concerned a speedy recovery, with the league finals weekend next weekend!
A good days rugby well organised by Bath Rugby and the girls did BRFC proud!
