Coventry Schools’ U14 Final - Tuesday 11th March.
By Paul Harrison
March 12 2008
The Woodlands 12 – 12 Bablake. With 19 county and district players on view in the two teams there were expectations of a high quality final. The storm clouds scuttling over Butts Park Arena set the scene for what would turn out to be an exciting and nail biting game of schoolboy rugby where the result and the shared trophy were probably a fair reflection on the game and the conditions.
Playing with the gusting wind at their backs in the first half as they attacked the city end, The Woodlands handled well and pressurised the Bablake defence. Several incursions by the Bablake backs were driven back by the Woodlands' defence as both sides looked for an opening. Centre Jacob Knight took an excellent short pass from his captain and fly half, Corey Venus, to power over for Venus to kick the conversion. A second unconverted try by full back Chris Priest saw The Woodlands take a 12 point half time lead. The feeling was, however, it would not be enough to guarantee victory. In the literal game of two halves, and now with the wind at their backs, Bablake started to put the Woodlands back three under some considerable pressure with fly half Ben Cooper kicking well and deep into The Woodlands 22 on a regular basis. The pressure was bound to tell, and No 8 Josh Buggea supported his fly-half's break to score near the posts. Skipper Cooper converted the try. Bablake then turned down a penalty in front of the posts, and, after over 10 minutes in their opponent's 22m zone, centre Richard Synott went over unchallenged as his team produced the game's best handling movement, with play being cleverly switched to the opposite side after their first thrust was blocked. A difficult conversion would have seen his side win, but, unfortunately for Cooper, the kick was missed. Under the competition rules, where there is no provision for extra time, the trophy was shared. There was a little sense of anticlimax for a short time as everyone realised that the result was a draw, but the players all celebrated as they lined up for photos together.
I was however disappointed with the disrespect the crowd gave to the bablake kicker when converting.
I agree that a draw was an anti-climax and it was a shame that extra time wasn't played.
I agree with 'sweetie' that the Woodlands crowd were a little disrespectful of the Bablake Fly Half when kicking, but I do know that he never even mentioned this and certainly wasn't put off by it. I believe it was nothing more than 'Hearty Teenage banter' but it was noted by the Bablake contingent nontheless.
Most of these lads know each other well from their District and County get togethers, indeed, they will meet up again tomorrow evening when Warwickshire Under 14's visit Solihull Schools. It was good to see the lads having a laugh in the Club afterwards.
Well done everyone, including the Officials on the night.