U16’s Off To A Winning Start

On Saturday it wasn’t just the bright sun that raised temperatures, as Crusaders and Yarm Wolves served up a scorcher at Yarm’s, Grosvenor Rd pitch.

Crusaders had suffered from a lack of prolonged preparation prior to game, managing just a single session on Wednesday night that had good numbers. It was great to see the players putting into practice the skills they had worked on, to great effect.

From the off Crusaders pounded the Wolves line with some great build up work in the forwards. Once on a roll this allowed, halves, Isaiah and Simi to go hard at the line with support to ask telling questions of the Wolves players. It wasn’t long before Crusaders got onto the scoresheet through this approach.

Wolves were never going to roll over with such a talented young squad, and added to a brilliant first half with a some hard running forwards laying a foundations for their half back to run across the Crusaders line to keep the Crusaders players guessing.

A solid defensive display from Crusaders forced errors from the Wolves team which Crusaders were able to capitalise upon, going into half time, comfortably in front.

Head Coach Ollie Redding’s messages at the break were clear and precise, stick to our processes, aim to get to the kick and maintain a solid defence.

The second period started with a superb kick off return score by Simi. However shortly afterwards Crusaders were down to 12 when one player was sent for a 10 rest and re-assessment of his tackle technique! During that period Crusaders naivety in game management started to show. Rather than ensuring ball security through simple play, the team chanced offloads that weren’t finding the target, which Wolves exploited to the full.

By the end of the sin binning, Wolves were just a score behind. Fortunately Crusaders forced an error inside their 20m, an effective play from the scrum saw Jack break through the defensive line to motor the rest the way to score.

The rest of the game saw both sides giving it their all with players, such as Riley, playing through the bumps and bangs to continue playing in this epic.

The score finished 38 - 30 in favour of Crusaders.

Our U16’s will train on Wednesday night at 6.30pm at Wavell 4G pitches, under the watchful eye of former Newcastle Thunder Scholarship and Scottish Student international Oliver Redding. All new players are welcome.