The Under 13s bounced back from last week’s disappointing defeat to
edge a thrilling home tie against Milford Marlins.
A rejigged Rangers line-up with Elliot
Dixon-Griffiths at full-back spent the first 10 minutes defending until
Milford crashed over to lead 4-0. Luke Nicholls pulled a try back and
with recognised kicker Tom Hayes temporarily off the pitch with injury
hooker Tylor Lindsay bravely stepped up to convert. Although Mason
Hindle, under pressure all match on the wing, took a superb high ball
from the kick-off, he was bundled backwards and Milford kept their foot
on the gas to score again, before half-time.
8-6 and all to play for – and Milford were
determined to take it, putting together some fine attacks to build a
score of 26 with only one try in response - Nicholls again, with Hayes
adding the extras. Rangers looked down and out at 26-12 but responded
superbly to produce one of their most exciting finishes ever to a
game. Nicholls had caused problems in attack and defence all match and
was almost out on his feet by now, but dug deep to score three further
tries - 5 in total - allowing Hayes to do his bit with a 100% conversion
rate to take the lead at 30-26 with only a few minutes to go, and the
entire team then worked in defence and attack to keep Milford pinned
down until the final whistle, thrilling the spectators and leaving head
coach Craig Williamson speechless (a first!) and shredded on the
sidelines.
Whilst Nicholls was the star of the show, taking
both Players’ and Coaches’ Man of the Match, and Hayes, Lindsay and
half-back Dan Hagan worked well to co-ordinate and organise the team,
excellent defence across the park was the real difference from last
week.
Joshua Smith and Harvey Harrap supplied eye-catching
moments to add to the platform established by usual suspects Kyan
Denton, Thomas Leaver and Will Dobson, and Olly Fitzsimons must surely
see his confidence grow after consistently getting stuck in to earn Man
of Steel.
Opposition Man of the Match was awarded to
Dixon-Griffiths, particularly pleasing as he was playing out of position
and struggling with injuries.
Back to the top of the table over Easter and
looking forward to the cup game against local rivals Eastmoor in 10
days’ time!
