East Anglian Derby win for Ipswich U14 Black today

Norwich U14A 7 – 46 Ipswich U14 Black (Tries: Vic 2, Charles, Ollie S 2, Callum M, Joe M, Rory Conv: Callum M 2, Vic)

The East Anglian derby lived up to expectation again today at U14 level in a game much tighter than the score suggests. Norwich are a very physical side, unbeaten up to today and full of running and aggression. The first ten minutes saw the watching spectators witness a very physical contest with no score for either side. Our work rate was high from the first whistle and I felt comfortable we would be able to live with the high tempo we were setting and that was to be our platform as we turned in a very decent display.

We had very good performances across the park today. Every lad should be proud of their output in black and gold, it was at times, high class rugby, a number of the tries notably so in the way they were put together and then executed so efficiently.

Our pack today was immense and we are really happy with the lads that shackled Norwich so well. We broke gain lines consistently, we sealed and turned over ball well, we got numbers to the breakdown and we hit our tackles. The control we showed around the park was excellent and we played with intelligence and thinking that really pleased me.

Our backs too were special. We moved the ball sweetly through hands and opened Norwich up with some beautiful lines and exceptional speed. When we put it all together like we did today in such a patient manner, it really does make myself and the backroom team enormously proud.

0-19 up at half time with three tries to show for our hard endeavour we turned the screw in the second half with a further five tries in amongst a lot of ball and pressure for Norwich.

All very pleasing but we move on. Southwold next week and we need to be on our game for that one as we know. Exciting times in U14 rugby.

Star men

Otis, Haz, Kajeai and Joe M outstanding pace ball in hand, Callum C, Fred H and Leo excellent at breaking the gain line and securing ball, Will and Arch phenomenal at the breakdown and in contact. Rory, a young Harry Potter at 9. Mercurial in his distribution. Vic brilliant at 10, probing, constantly asking questions of the Norwich defence, Charles, full of pace and intelligent running, Callum M, Finn and Freddie vM hitting tackles and moving the ball at pace, Ollie S the step machine, unplayable at times and Ollie W outstanding under the high ball and like a hot knife through butter on the return.

MoM went to Joe M. He had his best day to date in black and gold and we were all delighted for him. Well done that man. The forward pack were immense and the backs sublime. Every lad played their part.