St Albans Centurions U14 38-28 Oxford Cavaliers U14
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The Coliseum proved to be a difficult venue to travel to for the Cavaliers U14's as they looked to continue their excellent start to the seanson. "Anderson, Harris, Beckett and Shajko really impressed in a tough game for us out there today”
Head Coach John Connaughton It was evident from the kick off that Oxford were yet again slow to start, conceding two quick tries inside ten minutes down their right hand side. The tries were finished well by Centurions wing Hamish Tinker but there were far too many missed tackles from the visiting side. Centurions centre Harry Dean also managed to get on the score sheet twice in the first half for the hosts either side of the try of the half from Euan Stamp making his first start for the Cavaliers. The strong and powerful centre managed to break a tackle deep inside his own half the then step the full back to score in the corner. Josh Brookes filling in at hooker managed to score another to end the half after some excellent direct running from Lukas Shajko. The positives for the Cavaliers from the first half were the strong performances from second rowers Roman Harris, Andrew Anderson and Shajko. The scores at the break were 24-8 to the home side leaving the visitors with a lot to do.

After some choice words from coaches Walsh and Connaughton at half time, the Cavaliers came out encouraged. Straight from the kick off Ben Bright scored his first of the season with an excellent solo effort down the touch line. Cameron Scott was left with yet another difficult conversion from the touch one which he failed to convert. They again hit back twice more through Stamp with his second after some excellent handling from Scott, and another lovely move that saw Alfie Beckett go over for his first. Scott took the ball to the line and, taking the defenders with him, managed to drop Beckett off inside for him to bundle over to bring the Cavaliers back to within four points. It was at this stage where the game would see a dramatic turn. With the momentum clearly with the visiting side, winger Dan Kelly looked to have brought the scores level only for a last ditch tackle dislodged the ball in the in-goal area. From this error came the fight back the Centurions had hoped for, Dean stepped up and turned the game on its head with some strong running to add another three tries to the two he scored in the first half taking the scores to 38-20. With 10 minutes to go it was clear to see that for the second week the spirit, determination and fitness levels of the Cavaliers can not be overlooked. Full back Charlie McLaughlin ran in two impressive tries which demonstrated the threat he possesses from attacking from deep. Anderson was voted by the squad as man of the match closely followed by Beckett. The final score was St Albans Centurions 38 Oxford Cavaliers 28.

The Cavaliers will now look to focus on training over the next four weeks, paying closer attention to their one on one defence and handling under pressure in attack. Irrespective of the weekends result it has still been a positive start to the season as the Cavaliers still sit at the top of the table after facing two strong established sides.

By John Connaughton
COYB's