Wasps U15 V Ampthill

To start with, I should have known when in February you start a day with
such a lovely blue and sunny sky after days of "close-to-arctic"
temperature, in Acton, nothing bad could happen!
I should have known as well, that even if a few players were missing from the
roll call, with the presence of Matt Robinson nothing bad could happen!
I could have figured out that if some boys arrived, as usual, taking their
time (apologies to those who received a less than warm welcome!) it did not
mean that they were not looking forward to this game with the right spirit
and that nothing bad could happen!

Actually I started realising that something special was brewing as the boys
present started to warm-up and to train altogether before the game. The
level of attention was higher than usual, the seriousness put in the drills
palpable. Was it a consequence of the game of last week, (a bit,
perhaps hopefully somehow as this was one of the purposes of the fixture we
organised) or simply the willingness of the boys to enjoy a good rugby game
together or the feel that this last League fixture of our 2014-2015 season
should be special day?

Anyway, whatever the causes and reasons and probably your boys can simply
tell you what they felt and why, the first minutes of the game quickly
showed that today more than any other day in the season they had decided
that they would not give up, not capitulate, but prevail. There was a no
pasarán spirit in the air or on the pitch.

The film of the game:

Ampthill, our visitors, did turn up with a full squad of players who
obviously would be a match for our strongest ball carriers and meaning
business. The game promised to be intense and obviously the defence would
be the key to the result. We were not disappointed!

The KO took place at 11:10, as planned. The first 20 minutes were very balanced.
Ampthill, very effective in the scrum, but more importantly at the breakdown,
used these platforms to unleash their strong runners from their Forwards as
well as from their Backs and ventured in Wasps 22 on several occasions. They
were repelled by the very strong and effective defence held by our boys.
Wasps also reciprocated, venturing into our visitors¹ 22, thanks to a mix of
well executed kicks, backs moves, and powerful ball carrying from the
forwards (Ethan, Vlad, Kieran, Ruaidhri, Jack, Max) and Backs (Louis,
Isaiah, George, Bryn, Will, Luke). To be noted, our effectiveness at the
breakdown was much better than last week, and actually improved during the game, with a positive result in terms of lost balls vs turned over balls.
(fantastic job done by Aidan, Vlad, Max, Charlie, Louis, Isaiah, Ruaidhri
and many others). Wasps were ultimately the first ones to open the score
with a nice try in the corner by Vlad, which could not be converted. Whilst we
thought it would help build a momentum, our visitors struck back ten
minutes later with a very quickly played penalty awarded close to our
try-line. Their try unconverted brought back the teams to a draw, which was
the status as the pause arrived.

The second half started well. Wasps seemed to progressively increase their
territorial domination of the game, with a good mix of ball carrying and
kicks well executed by Louis, George, Axel, whilst retaining the majority
of the ball possession. The injection of fresh legs did not bring
disruption. On the contrary, Aidan, Lamonte, later on Alex and Isaiah brought
more energy and further commitment. But our efforts came to no fruition
score-wise and our visitors remained very well organised and very dangerous.
Their determination and focus paid off. Close to our try line a set piece
gave them the opportunity to score the first try of the second half. Their
powerful flanker managed to swivel around several defenders to ground
the ball. Wasps were trailing 5-10. But heads did not drop and spirit
remained defiant. Whilst Wasps were maintaining their pressure and
territorial dominance determined not to give-up, a ball gathered by
Will, close to our visitors 40m line, ended-up grounded, after one of the
most unlikely runs across their defence. Will ran with such determination, that Amptill were unable to cope with such force and pace. Converted by Louis, Wasps were then
ahead (12-10) by only two points. The following 15 minutes were very difficult for
the boys I am sure, but for all their supporters as well! Wasps well
organised at the set-piece and carrying well the ball beyond the gain line
remained at time exposed to blitz counter-attacks, which were repelled,
thanks to an outstanding defence and great cover tackles (well done Luke,
Will, Axel and others). Stampeding in the opposition 22, we did not manage to find
the key to the next try until 5 minutes from the end of the game. The growing
pressure put on our visitors translated into a series of penalties and
set-pieces played on the opposition 5m line. A last scrum five metres from their
post gave Isaiah who played no 8 for this phase, the opportunity to ground the
ball he picked-up at the back of the scrum. Louis converted again and the
last 3 minutes of the game were played in the opposition 40m, where wasps were camping,
progressing towards the 22 with a last penalty-kick which coincided with the
final whistle blow. Wasps: 19 ¬ Ampthill: 10.

A very well deserved victory and as Tony said: (which in fact is probably
easier to do for a Frenchman than for an Englishman!) the best game of rugby
we have seen this week-end!

Fab