U14 Tour Wales What goes on tour stays on tour so this report will be confined to the rugby. Suffice it to say that the 26 players who toured were a credit to the club - as for their parents I will say no more! Porthcawl U15 10 - 22 Beccehamian U14 As we arrived at their ground on a glorious day, the Porthcawl players were heard to say how big our players were - whilst our lads were saying the same about them! What this meant was that we had two physically well matched teams who produced some excellent rugby - hard, fast and entertaining throughout. Our hosts were a typically committed Welsh side, hard in the tackle and quick to the breakdown. Beccs stood up to them and more than matched them for power and speed. The Porthcawl forwards were a little disadvantaged in the line-out where they are normally allowed to lift and had to adapt to us soft Englishmen staying firmly on the ground! We had them in the scrums with the front row of Jack Murtagh, Jack Gilgunn and Josh Hewitt showing excellent technique. All the forwards played well, taking Porthcawl on at the pick and drive and making inroads against some big lads. With George Scott and Paul Broadhurst at half back, the ball won up front was well used all day with a good combination of fast ball and some well judged kicks. The local backs seemed shaken by the power of Charlie Phair and Angus Peters in the centre who came up quickly in defence to stifle their attacks. It took some time for them to settle as an attacking combination as they stood too flat to get the best out of their pace. Harry Trype and Mark Boyle on the wings got a lot of good ball and used it well, Harry in particular backing himself on the outside break. In fact he had a great game all round, working hard in defence all morning. Harry made the breakthrough after about 15 minutes with an explosive finish to score in the corner. Porthcawl hit back quickly with a well taken try of their own to level the scores before Sam Jeral went over just before half time with a pick up off the back of a ruck. He took a knock in the back for his efforts and had to sit out the rest of the match. Half time saw some changes to the line up and a chance for some of the B squad to step up to the mark. Edward Shaw distinguished himself with some strong carries although he did get stripped of the ball a couple of times by the canny Welsh forwards. Beccs didn't let the pace of the game drop and some swift hands along the backs put Conor Lawrence in space and he beat the defence to the corner for a well taken try. Both sides had been throwing the ball around all day but it fell to Beccs to score one of the best tries of the season. Harry launched yet another attack down his left wing and then began a fantastic sequence of slick inter-passing between him, George and Paul that had even the home supporters on their feet as Paul finished the move with panache. The last word went to Porthcawl who again showed what a talented side they are, using their pace well to score a second try and bring the final to 10-22. Phew - it had been a fast and physical game played in great spirit and very well refereed. Unfortunately, it had meant to be 20 minutes each way as we had another game to play but the ref got so wrapped up in the game that he let the first half run for 30 minutes and the second was not much shorter. Beccs now had a fixture against the local school, hastily arranged by Rob Lawrence who was a pupil there many years ago! Porthcawl School 22 - 0 Beccehamian U14 No excuses. Another great game in which Beccs held their own for the first 10 minutes but could not resist much longer against a very talented side who recently played at the Millenium Stadium in the final of the Welsh Schools cup! (note to coaches - always check the pedigree of the opposition when you are told there has been a late change). The local boys had some very effective forwards with pace and power who gradually got the better of our players. There were some valiant performances from the likes of Mitch Pugh, Chris Chaperlin, Rob Neave and Will Kemp but with the first game taking its toll, Porthcawl began to run in some good tries. Admittedly some of our first up tackling was weak allowing their fast runners through but give credit to the school side - they were good and in no mood to allow the English boys two wins on Welsh soil. By the end of the game the busiest person on the park was our first aid team as our boys began to wilt against the more physical local lads. To their credit, they stood up to it and there were no moans at the end. If we are to progress as a squad then we need to face sides of this quality. Porthcawl turned out to be every bit as hospitable as the Academy, who visited two weeks earlier, said they would be. Debbie looked after us as well as she had hosted them and we were all grateful for the meal and drinks. Some of the parents took the hospitality a bit too far but that's another story. Thanks to Porthcawl RFC for a wonderful day's rugby - I will leave you to find the rest out yourself! Robbie