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Est 1865

.U14s Report, 10-01-09

Carrick U14s Victorious Squad Runout.

In a much needed game after the Christmas season layoff Carrick U14s returned to winning ways with a league victory over their Hamilton Park opponents.

Ards were unable to field a competitive XV and conceded the points to the Woodlawn boys prior to kickoff.

Negotiations between the two sets of coaches however saw to it that 35 players got game-time instead of possibly only 20 had the game taken place with Carrick only allowed to field 10 against the Ards 10.

This also made it a meaningful game for two XVs instead of two truncated teams.

As would have been expected Carrick exerted the early pressure but over eagerness and lack of sharpness in the passing game saw them fail to complete several scoring chances.

There was a steady stream of scrum ball with the home team dominating the set pieces and starving Ards of  any opportunity of getting out of their half.

At ruck time however Carrick committed too many bodies and in fact slowed down what was initially quick ball.

Poor decision making about picking up at the base of the ruck and driving too close to the fringes also cost the home side the opportunity to release early possession.

Jordan Beasant opened the scoring with a loping run outside the defence on the right to touch down wide out after some good interpassing by forwards and backs.

The lineout which had proved bountiful for Carrick started to get scrappy with  ball being slapped back and no responsibility being taken to clean up and stabilise presentation to the scrum half.

Players also tended to get isolated with the ball with supporters hanging off waiting for an easy pass instead of providing tight on the shoulder support for clean-outs.

A solid drive with support provided the opportunity for Arron McAuley to cross at the posts allowing Jamie Warnock to kick the conversion and bring the half time score to a steady rather than spectacular 12 – 0 .

The second half saw a raft of changes with all of the remaining Carrick bench get a run out and the Carrick players who had turned out for Ards return to the home colours.

A period of structured play from Carrick saw the pack win several phases of possession which allowed the backs to sweep left off two quick rucks for Darren Robinson to brach the defence and run through to score from 22 meters.

Carrick at this stage thought they had the game in the bag and gifted a soft solo try to the Ards number eight.

With the team themselves admitting that this had been unacceptable they came back with the perfect riposte from the kickoff. Pressure was exerted on the Ards team who played hot-potato with the ball shovelling it backwards before Robinson seized on the loose ball to secure his brace for the afternoon.

The final whistle came shortly afterwards with the scoreline 22-5 in favour of the Carrick boys. Both teams left the field with the usual sporting formalities with an extra special round of applause for the Carrick squad players who had in selfless fashion turned out for Ards and contributed greatly to a very fine game of rugby.

Training is on Wednesday night  where there will be an emphasis on sharp accurate passing, contact techniques and some good old fashioned aerobic training. The effects of Christmas excesses were not lost on the Coaching staff and a return to some basic elements of the requirements for rugby fitness are a must for the New Year.

Carrick U14 Squad.- C Reid, A Williams, D Robinson, J Patchett, J Beasant, T Stuart, I Pettinger, J Wilson, K Vokes, G Skelton, J Warnock, I McMenimen, J Thompson, P Magill, A McAuley, J Darragh, M McKibben, C Finlay, D Henderson, “John” Magill.

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