We're trying something new! We've collated a full set of match reports from our Age Group sections after a massively successful weekend of rugby for the club! Have a read below to see how the teams got on!
Match Report: Basingstoke RFC U13 Boys vs Tadley RFC U13 Boys, by Ian Fletcher
Basingstoke RFC U13 boys welcomed Tadley RFC to Basingstoke today, renewing an early-season fixture that both sides clearly remembered well. From the opening whistle it was evident this would be a hard-fought contest, with both teams coming out strong, focused, and determined.
The first half was evenly matched and full of intensity. Both sides showed attacking intent, trading blows with three tries apiece to bring the score level. Neither team was willing to give an inch, and the game remained finely balanced as the half progressed.
Basingstoke, however, deserve special credit for their forward play. The pack worked tirelessly, and their scrummaging was a real platform for success. Time and time again the forwards turned scrums to their advantage, producing some strong counter-scrums that allowed Basingstoke to keep momentum and apply sustained pressure.
With the scores level at half time, Basingstoke introduced fresh legs, and continued to dominate large periods of play. This pressure told on Tadley, with Basingstoke adding a further two well-earned tries in the second half.
Tadley showed great resilience and character, coming back with another try of their own in the final 5 minutes, but despite their best efforts it wasn’t enough to swing the contest back their way. Basingstoke held firm and saw out the game to finish deserved victors, five tries to four.
Leadership across the pitch was outstanding, with excellent enthusiasm and direction shown by Captain Owen F, Forwards Lead Luke P, and Backs Lead Clayton L. A real mention must also go to our newer players Ewan P, Leo M, and Noah C, all of whom made some excellent, confident runs and showed great commitment. A superb try-saving tackle preceded by a long sprint down the field from Seb B was another highlight that drew plenty of applause.
The standout performance of the day, however, came from Josh F, who was deservedly voted Man of the Match by Tadley. An absolute powerhouse, Josh delivered a series of rib-crunching tackles, briefly leaving the field with a bloody nose before returning just minutes later to continue battling relentlessly. His courage, toughness, and refusal to give up epitomised the spirit of the team.
This was a superb collective effort, bringing together all the coaching elements the squad has been working so hard on over recent months. There are still some areas to improve, particularly around match fitness and maintaining support play, but today your commitment and determination truly paid off.
You should all be very proud of yourselves—as the coaches and supporters certainly are. Great work, boys!
Match Report: Basingstoke RFC U14 Girls vs Trojans RFC U14 Girls, by Daz Lillywhite
Basingstoke U14 girls played Trojans at home in the glorious sunshine which has certainly been a rarity for recent times!
The girls started the game strongly, building on the progression and positive results from previous weeks and kept it up until half time leading 19-0. Showing some strong defensive work and powerful running lines they left few tries out there with some good cover defence from Trojans.
Trojans with a large pool of playing numbers turned the tide in the second half and the Basingstoke girls seemed to struggled to keep up in the barmy Sunday sunshine. Trojans turned on their power game added to some real pace and took the lead.
The Basingstoke girls showed fantastic character to re-compose themselves to regain the lead and with some brilliant conversions which proved to be the difference with the Basingstoke girls getting the victory.
Both teams played the game with fantastic spirit and intent, unlike the utter dross England men dished up on Saturday! Well done both teams a pleasure to watch!
Final Score Basingstoke U14s Girls 26 - 24 Trojans U14 Girls
Match Report: Basingstoke RFC U15 Boys vs Eastleigh RFC U15 Boys, by Aaron Hawkes
After a few weeks of battling the rain we finally managed to get a game on. The conditions were a bit sticky underfoot but as the ref started the game a lot of the 1st 15 mins was spent in the middle of the field to and fro with handling errors and penalties conceded looking like being Basingstoke’s downfall but Eastleigh couldn't capitalise on their opportunities and Basingstoke started to warm to the game.
Some big hits, hard running, great breakdown work and territory kicking from Charlie allowed attacking platforms deep in Eastleigh’s half. A turnover from Harry A allowed Basingstoke to move the ball quickly through hands and find the awaiting Tyler Fry on the overlap who still had some work to do to finish but did it with great aplomb driving over the line with a Eastleigh player clinging onto him for his 1st try in Basingstoke colours. Charlie with a monster conversion to make it 7-0.
What followed was 15 mins of Basingstoke domination, the scrums now forming a great base for launching the backs into attack, winning our own ball aswell as theirs. Launching the backs into attack is exactly what happened from a scrum won and finding the hands of Henry who powered his way over from 15 metres out for the 2nd try, another massive conversion from Charlie made it 14-0.
Then a try for the forwards with some quick thinking at the breakdown with quick ball from Austin who was impressing at 9 found the galloping figure of Harry A who burst through the defence and went under the posts for the 3rd, converted again by Charlie. The last action of the 1st half was a pick and go from the back of a ruck by TJ who powered his way though and went under the posts for the 4th again converted by Charlie.
H/T Basingstoke 28-0 Eastleigh.
2nd half started and a raft of changes including a debut for Harry Fynn. Basingstoke didn't really wake up from the break and missed tackles, ill-discipline and just a lack of intensity by a fair few of the lads let Eastleigh in for 4 unanswered tries. Before Basingstoke could blink the game was now sitting precariously at 28-24.
Then Basingstoke finally woke up and started to summon the fight from the 1st half, breakdowns being won, players supporting each other, making ground with carries and the ball being worked through the hands with intent.
After a good lineout mall and 5 very good phases of play the ball was worked out to find the hands of the awaiting Henry who flew in for his 2nd and Basingstoke’s 5th.
The pressure was being turned up again by Eastleigh but this time with 5 minutes left in the clock Basingstoke weren't going to allow this to slip, tackles being made, rucks being secured, ball being looked after allowed the time to wittle away, the ref brought a end to the contest to the delight of the boys.
A testament to them in how they handled a Eastleigh fightback but stepped back up instead of letting heads drop to go on and secure the victory. Some monumental performances by a fair few and an all round great performance against a team from a higher league. The U15s go marching on!
Final score Basingstoke 33 - 24 Eastleigh.
Match Report: Basingstoke RFC U16 Girls vs Trojans RFC U16 Girls, by Toby Wilson
Sunday was a tough day for the U16 Girls, as the side hosted Trojans at home for top of the league clash. Basingstoke were behind 0-10 after an incredibly tight first half, but Trojans pulled clear in a second half which didn't go Basingstoke's way. A major injury to one of the Basingstoke girls stopped the game 5 min from the end with the score 5-32 in favour of the visitors, but the girls showed real spirit in battling to the end.
