Like England, U15 leave it too late

This was the most frustrating match that this squad has had for many a moon. Two losing bonus points tells only a small part of the story and the saving grace is that this team can still win the league if, and only if, they step up in key areas of the game.

The squad welcomed back Ameer in the scrum who held it together fantastically and our scrummaging was good all morning. George R came on as hooker in the second half for his first match in that position and did extremely well. Max has another run out with the As and Magnus also managed to get game time in the back row. It was good to have this strong squad together and expectations were justifiably high, particularly that Zico was back from injury and got a run out in the second half.

Datchworth started the match very well and quickly went ahead by a single score. Demonstrating how we needed to play the game, after a few good rucks in a row, David Bull found himself with space in a broken field situation and ran the length of the pitch for a great score. Supporting runners were there for him and credit should also go to them.

The match started to get very scrappy; Wasps gave away many penalties and were lucky to go in at half time 8 - 10 behind after another Datchworth try and a Wasps penalty kick.

Tries were traded early in the second half with Cookie going over for a fantastic rumble, but then three tries were shipped in quick succession. Strong running from Datchworth, weak Wasps tackling, and very weak rucking (particularly when taking the ball into contact) meant that Wasps were always on the back foot and being penalised for many infringements on the ground and around the rucks.

At 13-30 and with 6 minutes to go the game seemed over, but Wasps did not give up Omari made a trademark score, converted by David, and then in one of the attacking moves of the game, the chip over the top was not dealt with by the Datchworth full back and Hugo snaffled the ball for a score. At 25-30 down and with only the kick-off remaining, Wasps had left it too late. The fourth try brought with it two bonus points, and thus keeps the league alive for Wasps.

Lessons to be taken to the training ground

• Ball carrier going into rucks and first man in rucks ensuring quick ball
• guarding at rucks
• deeper backs
• and faster hands

4 Tries: David Bull , James Cook, Omari, Hugo French
One penalty and one conversion: David.

Man of the Match: David Bull