Berkshire
U20 -v- Middlesex U20
18th Jan 2009
25 - 7 win to Berkshire
Middlesex,
with a bigger squad and larger players came onto the pitch
at Bracknell RFC confident of a win. Berkshire with a number
of squad members away at University fielded a depleted side
added to with 3 Bracknell Colts 17 year olds who have played
for county younger age groups.
For
the first 10 minutes Middlesex looked set to dominate and
took a converted try. Berkshire came straight back and,
despite the sheer size of Middlesex players, began to take
control. A try from scrum half Luke Carter opened Berkshire's
scoring and was converted by Andy Auld. A penalty score
before half time meant Berks were 10 - 7 ahead.
In the
second half Berkshire increased their domination and the
game was kept in the Middlesex half. By a quarter of the
way into the second half Middlesex knew they had nowhere
to go and could make no impression. Berkshire
were the superior side - dominating the lineout, scrums
and mauls against their much larger opponents. Berkshire's
tactical kicking was masterful finding space and touch deep
in the Middlesex half, and Middlesex had no answer to it.
Two further converted tries and another penalty took Berks
to 25 - 7 in a half where Middlesex were simply outplayed.
The
whole Berkshire squad put in a huge performance, playing
for the County and for each other to achieve a well-deserved
and significant win over last years semi-finalists.
