Hoppers beaten by Barnes
Juniors: Under 15s: 11th November 2024
| Grasshoppers U15s | 5 | 21 | Barnes U15 |
Grasshoppers U15s welcomed Barnes to Syon Lane on Remembrance Sunday with the away side edging an even encounter.
Barnes started the brighter side, with early breakdown penalties providing territory and possession. A 5m lineout after 10 minutes gave the Barnes backline a perfect attacking platform and their bulky centre was able to shrug off some would-be tacklers on his way to the line.
Hoppers started to get their hands on the ball but couldn't make dents in the Barnes defensive line, the away side looking more threatening with ball in hand, making bigger gains and benefitting from the referee's whistle to control territory.
Hoppers couldn't get out their half for much of the first period, with disjointed attacks resulting in possession being kicked away, only to be returned again.
After a Barnes knock-on in the back field, the home team eventually gained some good field position, and after some further breakdown infringements Hoppers were rewarded with a 5m lineout just before the half time break. The opportunity went begging though and the score remained 0-7 at the interval.
Barnes started the brighter side, with early breakdown penalties providing territory and possession. A 5m lineout after 10 minutes gave the Barnes backline a perfect attacking platform and their bulky centre was able to shrug off some would-be tacklers on his way to the line.
Hoppers started to get their hands on the ball but couldn't make dents in the Barnes defensive line, the away side looking more threatening with ball in hand, making bigger gains and benefitting from the referee's whistle to control territory.
Hoppers couldn't get out their half for much of the first period, with disjointed attacks resulting in possession being kicked away, only to be returned again.
After a Barnes knock-on in the back field, the home team eventually gained some good field position, and after some further breakdown infringements Hoppers were rewarded with a 5m lineout just before the half time break. The opportunity went begging though and the score remained 0-7 at the interval.
Hoppers started the second half brightly, with a smart scrum move and quick second phase ball saw Jason Wyatt going close to the line, only for a Barnes infringement to prevent the try. After the ensuing 5m lineout, a superb Barnes rearguard frustrated Hoppers, but the defensive line eventually broke as Robbie crashed over from close range.
Barnes worked into Hoppers territory from the restart and stayed there until scoring a close range try after 43 minutes.
Play remained even for the next 10 minutes, with neither side managing to control the ball or territory for too long.
Hoppers did start to exert territorial pressure but weren't able to look after the ball for long enough, and when Barnes broke free after a missed tackle in midfield, Hoppers illegally slowed the ball down at the next ruck and a quick tap penalty saw the Barnes winger beat three players on his way to the line from 40 metres. The conversion was added and the game wrapped up.
