U11 B Match Reports
Spring Term 2017
(Coach: Matt King)
Wednesday 15th March U11 B v Edge Grove [h] - lost 30-50
The U11 B team played their final game of the season and, after an improving performance against Quainton Hall the day before, a bold show was expected against Edge Grove.
It was not to be and, despite a good effort, we lost the game 50-30. Four tries from Jordan Gravesande and two from Vharsan Theebaraj kept the score competitive but ultimately Edge Grove handled the ball with more skill and they showed more authority at the break down than us. A slightly disappointing end to the season.
Tries: J. Gravesande (4), V. Theebaraj (2)
Matt King
Tuesday 14th March U11 B v Quainton Hall [a] - won 25-20
On Tuesday afternoon, the U11 B team travelled to Quainton Hall to play their A team.
A slow start from the boys saw us concede an early try but a dogged first half performance from Aidan Markham-Lee (two tries) and Jamie O’Connell saw the half time score at 10-10.
After the break, we slowly found our stride and, having conceded yet another early try, we gradually clawed our way back into the game when Aidan scored his third and Jordan Gravesande and Veer Kumar grabbed a score each. The final score of 25-20 was a fair reflection of the game.
Man-of-the-Match is shared between Aidan Markham-Lee and Jamie O’Connell.
Tries: A. Markham-Lee (3), J. Gravesande, V. Kumar
Matt King
Thursday 9th February U11 B v Arnold House [h] - won 60-10
On Thursday afternoon, the U11 B entertained Arnold House in their second match of the week. On a cold afternoon the boys started at a blistering pace and quickly moved the game beyond doubt within 10 minutes of the start of the match.
Strong running, good tackling, excellent rucking and fine decision making were all evident in bucket loads this afternoon making it a fantastic way to finish half term.
Vharsan Theebaraj, Sameer Vekaria, Sam Mewawalla, Aryan Bagade, James McWilliam and Aidan Markham-Lee all helped themselves to a try each whilst Kyan Mentesh showed some skilful running with the ball to secure six tries.
Men-of-the-Match were Kyan Mentesh, on account of those six tries, and Jamie O’Connell for his excellent tackling.
Tries: K. Mentesh (6), V. Theebaraj, S. Vekaria, S. Mewawalla, A. Bagade, J. McWilliam, A. Markham-Lee
Matt King
Wednesday 8th February U11 B v St. Martin’s [a] - lost 30-40
On Wednesday afternoon the U11 B team travelled to St. Martin’s. Despite taking an early lead through Jordan Gravesande, we succumbed to four quick tries from one dominant player on the opposition side. This wasn't helped by a generally poor tackling display in the first half.
After some words of advice at half time, the team started far more positively and were more aggressive in the tackle and at the breakdown. We quickly scored two tries through Jordan and Kyan Mentesh, and the game became a lot closer.
Play ebbed and flowed from one end of the pitch to other with the game eventually finishing 40-30 to the home team. Jordan grabbed two further tries, taking his individual tally to four, and Kyan got a second of his own.
On account of their tackling, joint Man-of-the-Match is awarded to Kyan Mentesh and Aryan Bagade.
Tries: J. Gravesande (4), K. Mentesh (2)
Matt King
Wednesday 1st February U11 B v Kingshott [h] - lost 5-40
On Wednesday afternoon, the U11 B team took on a strong Kingshott side in their second fixture of the week. It was a delight therefore to see Orley Farm take an early lead after we won a scrum and Jordan Gravesande ran in the resulting try.
The game remained tight in the first half with the half closing at a 15-5 score line to Kingshott. Again, Jordan looked strong and was unlucky not to score with the last play of the half.
The second half was however slightly different as Kingshott were playing with the slope and they quickly asserted their authority, running in five more tries, with the final score being 40-5 in their favour. Man-of-the-Match on account of his superb tackling was Vharsan Theebaraj.
Try: J. Gravesande
Matt King
Tuesday 31st January U11 B v Durston House [h] - won 25-20
On Tuesday afternoon, the U11 B team played their first of two games this week against Durston House. Targets were established in our team meeting before the game which included, (i) tackling, (ii) restart positions, (iii) good decisions with the ball, (iv) ‘same way’ rugby and (v) team shape.
The game kicked off and within minutes the opposition had scored. This slow start was quickly put behind us and, as the game progressed, we grew in confidence and across the four periods played some excellent flowing rugby which showed some strong tackling.
At the end of a very hard fought contest, Orley sneaked a 25-20 victory with tries coming from Jordan Gravesande (3) and Kyan Mentesh (2). These two are my joint Men-of-the-Match along with Krish Banerjee for his excellent tackling.
Tries: J. Gravesande (3), K. Mentesh (2)
Matt King
Wednesday 18th January U11 B v The Hall [h] - lost 10-45
After a training fixture with Lochinver House last week, he Colts B started their season proper on a cold but sunny afternoon against a strong and well organised side from The Hall. This was always going to be a tough fixture given the team had only trained twice this term and so it proved to be. The team were set four targets at the start of the game: 1, restart positions, 2, tackling, 3, spacing and 4, same way rugby.
The boys took a little while settle into the contact side of the game but as the game progressed so did their confidence and the game became more competitive. Kyan Mentesh and Jordan Gravesande scored good running tries and captain and Man-of-the-Match Chaitanya Vyas continued to impress. A review of the team’s targets at the end of the match saw us complete two targets (restarts and spacing) and fail in two (tackling and same way rugby). This will be the theme for our next training sessions.
Tries: K. Mentesh, J. Gravesande
Matt King