Despite the Clocks changing and Being half term we had a respectable turn out to face the London Scottish. the Visitors work from a squad of twenty at best so their thirteen players that turned up was a good representation of their cohort. we had a strong thirty and despite missing a quarter of our troop we had a good representation across the positions.

Training focus this week was on quick handling and some practice on switching and looping. This was a development need highlighted by the Ealing festival. although we are strong up front, stable scrummaging and convincing rucking we still tend to run sideways or worse in loose play.

after the drills we went into games and played two wasps teams in succession against the Scots. Credit to their team for playing two 24 minute games back to back.

Game 1 Wasps 25 - 0 London Scottish
Yet another mild day dawned for us at Twyford Avenue this weekend as the Under 11's hosted our near neighbours from London Scottish. Despite the clocks going back and the half term break we were fortunate enough to field what turned out to be a very competitive A team. A technical front row of Sam Beverley, Max Raphael and Leggie Young were bolstered by a second row of Gus Baker and James Mumby. The forwards certainly proved up to the competitive task of dealing with a solid Scottish pack who were no push over and they continued with the same efforts that were seen at the Ealing festival. Safe scrum ball (good hooking from Max) and some excellent mauling from Sam and Leggie (something that we have not seen much of from the team this season) were only slightly let down by a rather timid approach to the rucks. The tackling however was first rate with Gus and James looking particularly solid, rarely did the Scots look like scoring.
Wasps first try came after some excellent interplay between backs and forwards and lead to a great break and score from Fergus McWilliams. In the backs Tom Illingworth distributed well at scrum half, deputising for the injured Jamie Dunbar and Fergus maintained his excellent run of form at fly half. The second try from Leggie was the result of some aggressive power driving through the forwards as she drove over from short yardage. Shortly before the break a third try for Wasps and Fergus's second led to a half time score of 15 - 0.

The Scots fought back strongly in the second half and despite a number of breaks through the middle from Alex Gibbs and Nikita Kuenzil, Wasps were held for much of this period. Rhys Llewelyn always looked dangerous when given the opportunity to run at the opposition and on the other wing William Sawyer was unlucky not to see too much action but he also proved to be a tricky customer with ball in hand. The safe hands and defensive skills of Leo Currie at full back were not often called into action but when required he did not disappoint.
Patrick Pereira, Anton Mathieu and Charlie Williams all came on and performed admirably as at no time did the side lose it's shape. The match was rounded off by another Alex Gibbs try as he scampered over from some distance rounding the opposing backs to score in the right hand corner for his second try.

Defence again proved to be the main tactical weapon and one of the sides key strengths with all players showing little fear for the opposition, this commitment bodes well for the balance of the season.

Gus Baker won man of the match for an outstanding display of defensive tackling, aggressive first time hits proving too much for the Scots.

Game 2 Wasps 25 - 5 London Scottish
Not only did London Scottish have to play a second game but we had a plethora of subs and were able to put fresh legs on the park as when we needed them. all the boys did well especially those that played out of their preferred position. with a strong pack of Tom B. Eddie and Sam A in the front row with Kai and Sam K at lock the ball from the outset was clean and easily won. the scrums set well and what we lacked in the push we won in the hook. as long as Oscar at scrum half ran forward he provided quick hands to Tom K at fly half. with Etienne and Max K at the three quarters the ball was guaranteed of moving to the safe hands and fast feet of either Theo or Hugo on the wing. with Dylan at Full back the defence appeared impenetrable. Similarly to the first game even after the subs at half time of Mathieu, Nathaniel and Kiran we didn't lose shape.

The game itself was highly physical and the frustration of the scottish showed in some scrappy tackling on the behalf. they made the common mistake of trying to kick through and would not only lose possession but the boys would reply with some tight passing and running through. Special mention must go Tom Blackler, Sam Aslam and Sam Kelly in the forwards with some formidable rucking despite the aggressive nature of the opposition forwards. Max Keenleyside and Dylan Hodgson tackling was first time first hit in the tackle and the safe hands of Theo were also a pleasure to watch. Tries were scored by Sam Aslam with a powerful drive, Oscar with his signatory evasive running scored two, my champagne moment however has to be Tom Blackler with an astonishing run to the corner and an Ashton style swallow dive for the second of his two tries. The London Scottish try came from some miss communication on the backs and not one but two missed tackles. Kai should have been on the scoreboard also after an exhaustive run from the half way crashing through the scots defence only to have the ball knocked out of hand as he crossed the try line. Always two hands on the ball!

Tom Blackler was Man of the Match

I am glad to report that in spite of the groans from the wasps players Mumby's run was well attended by all that played (except one, you know who you are) including the visitors and a few of the other age groups, including a couple of the U8’s putting the older boys to shame.

On to Finchley!