U11 A Match Reports
Spring Term 2017
(Coach: Peter Ryan)
Wednesday 15th March U11 A v Edge Grove [h] - won 35-30
This was the perfect way to end the season as this team showed its most resilient side against a very strong visiting team. We started very well and defended with conviction. I was delighted again by the improvement in our handling and especially offloading in the tackle.
The try of the game came from Man-of-the-Match Shaan Popat as he picked up the ball just inside his own half through a dummy pass left and went right through the visitors defence before showing a clean pair of heels to the chasing full back.
Jamie Meinck opened up the scoring by finishing a five or six pass move and has had a very good season as captain. Yuvraj Chahal and Adam Virani continued to break the gain line as did Mevan Wijayatilake and Caelum Chang.
As the game came to an end, our visitors fought back but were too late to match the home team who have gone from strength to strength this season and have been a pleasure to coach and referee.
Tries: S. Popat (2), J. Meinck, A. Virani, C. Vyas, Y. Chahal, M. Wijayatilake
Peter Ryan
Saturday 25th February Durston House U11 Tournament [a]
Match 1 – vs. Hampton Prep, won 15-10
With four teams in the tournament we made the best start possible, tackling hard and rucking with great enthusiasm against a very strong opponent. Adam Virani’s two tries came from excellent team moves that saw us progress the full length of the field, recycling the ball with the end result teaching the try line. Mevan Wijayatilake scored with the final play after a thrilling run having received a pass on the wing.
Tries: A. Virani (2), M. Wijayatilake
Match 2 – vs. The Hall. Lost 5-20
One missed tackle and we were behind from the kick off, The Hall were eventual tournament winners and were on fine form. We showed great character by scoring the final try having never thrown in the towel.
Try: A. Virani
Match 3 – vs. Durston House, drew 10-10
Durston played a very good game and surprised us in the first half as we made unforced errors. A gritty try by Caelum Chang brought us back into the game and Adam Virani finished off the game with another virtuoso score that earned us the draw.
Tries: C. Chang, A. Virani
The league table saw us third on points scored and as Hampton Prep and The Hall drew their game they advanced to the final.
3rd/4th Playoff – vs. Durston House, won 10-5
Our 3rd/4th playoff was a repeat of the previous game against hosts Durston House and this time we came out victorious. Alex Kaymakanov was like a missile as he flew over the line to score and when Durston equalised who else but Adam Virani (Player of the Tournament) crashed over after a wonderful run and gave us the victory.
Tries: A. Kaymakanov, A. Virani
Our squad – Jamie Meinck, Adam Virani, Yuvraj Chahal, Anirudh Sharma, Chaitanya Vyas, Alex Kaymakanov, Kyan Mentesh, Shaan Popat, Mevan Wijayatilake, Caelum Chang and Jordan Gravesande – should all be proud of their performances here today. I would also add a big thanks to all of the parents that turned out to give such great support, it makes such a difference. We were so close to a place in the final, that old saying ‘fine margins’ kept us out of the final despite us beating the team above us. Oh well, that’s rugby, at least we rucked a lot better than Italy on Sunday!
Peter Ryan
Thursday 9th February U11 A v Arnold House [h] - won 65-10
A storming victory over Arnold House ensured back-to-back wins for our Colts team which continues to improve with each game and are starting to play with improved confidence.
We offloaded the ball in the tackle which gave us a great advantage although we were also much quicker and more powerful in the ruck. This was a pleasing step up, led as always by a host of Adam Virani individual moments (and tries) and supported by great support and tackle line gains from Mevan Wijayatilake, Yuvraj Chahal and Jamie Meinck.
As always, the tackling of Shaan Popat and Alex Kaymakanov was a highlight and most enjoyable to observe: a fine performance from the Orley Boys!
Tries: A. Virani (6), Y. Chahal (2), S. Popat, M. Wijayatilake, J. Gravesande, A. Kaymakanov, C. Vyas
Peter Ryan
Wednesday 8th February U11 A v St. Martin’s [h] - won 45-15
Our rugby performance grew again today as the Orley team tackled forcefully and began to ruck with more controlled aggression, perhaps learnt from watching Kingshott last week…?
Adam Virani was very determined and at times unstoppable as he broke through the home defence time after time. Good close support from Yuvraj Chahal, Shaan Popat and James Meinck, and some exception work at full back from Mevan Wijayatilake meant we returned the kicks with good gains each time.
At the ruck, Caelum Chang and Alex Kaymakanov showed fierce spirit and won more than their fair share creating turnovers at the breakdown. A very pleasing performance as this team goes from strength to strength.
Tries: A. Virani (5), S. Popat (3), Y. Chahal
Peter Ryan
Wednesday 1st February U11 A v Kingshott [h] - lost 10-55
After the previous day's victory, the Orley boys came out aiming to continue where they had left off. Unfortunately, they were up against an opponent that was of a very high calibre and we were outplayed from the start.
Imagine a team with nine players as good as Adam Virani (nearly!) and this was it. To our credit we battled hard at the breakdown, tackled relentlessly and improved our game regardless of the scoreline.
I was very pleased in the second half where we came out with intent and scored two tries through cohesive passing and pressured defending. You can still learn in defeat and we were beaten by an excellent team but came away with an improved camaraderie as a team and an intact 'never say die' attitude. Well done to all involved.
Tries: J. Meinck, A. Virani
Peter Ryan
Tuesday 31st January U11 A v Durston House [h] - won 25-10
This was a very close and competitive game with our local rivals, Durston House, as both teams showed commitment in the breakdown and made determined gains.
With only minutes left of the first half, and with things very even, the first score came from very quick thinking from Adam Virani, the first of a very impressive hat-trick of tries.
Shaan Popat, Alex Kaymakanov and Yuvraj Chahal were at the centre of the action, tackling fearlessly and constantly offloading to nearby teammates. I was delighted with the effort in the ruck of James Meinck and the catching and running from deep by Mevan Wijayatilake.
Anirudh Sharma, Chaitanya Vyas and Caelum Chang gave very sound performances in their first match in the ‘A’ team. We continue to improve our game and deserved this victory over a good opponent – well done to all!
Tries: A. Virani (3), A. Kaymakanov, C. Chang
Peter Ryan
Wednesday 18th January U11 A v The Hall [a] - lost 5-30
On a fine sunny afternoon, we set off slowly after a journey across North London in the minibus. It was not until we were three tries down that we began to find our rhythm and to compete at the breakdown.
Adam Virani was Man-of-the-Match because of his try saving tackling and determined running from start to finish. The team grew in confidence and improved in the way we tackled but found it difficult to break the home team’s defensive line. Shaan Popat scored our only try after Adam, Mevan Wijayatilake, James Meinck and Yuvraj Chahal combined well to cut through to the posts.
Much to work on the training field but clear signs of better understanding and technique as the game’s second half ended just 10-5.
Try: S. Popat
Peter Ryan