Mosborough U14s v Chesterfield Panthers U14s

Mossborough have always been a stern test and so it proved again in a low scoring but entertaining match up at the Miners Welfare Club. Ben R was captain for the day. The hosts kicked off in bright sunshine and soon had an attacking line out deep in Panthers’ 22. The Chesterfield pack battled hard defending the maul and won the ball back. Blaine carried hard, Ben G won a ruck. The ball was spilled and Mossborough attacked.

Panthers scrapped hard in defence with Leo, Ian and Jack all getting in some big tackles. Mossborough won a scrum but the visitors front row of Ben R, Ian and Max put the pressure on. Somehow the hosts held on, only to concede a knock on. The referee warned Chesterfield for some strong language. The hosts attacked again. Panthers defended their try line with gusto and Mossborough knocked on. Ben G was eager for work and carried for a couple of meters, allowing the clearance kick. More strong language resulted in a yellow card for Sam and 5 minutes on the naughty step. Blaine went to scrum half and tackled like a demon. William made a fine break but Panthers lost possession again.

Once again, the hosts attacked but fine scramble defence slowed the onslaught and Mossborough were held up. The try line drop out was spilled by the hosts and Chesterfield put in to the scrum. A solid shove delivered clean ball and Panthers kicked again. This time the Mossborough full back took a fine catch and ran hard. Dylan was well up to the challenge and took him down with a crunching tackle. William made lots of ground with a series of good carries. Blaine got in on the act and punched the ball up. Once again, the last pass didn’t go to hand and Mossborough escaped for the first try of the match, 5-0. The conversion was missed, and the referee blew for half time.

Alfie had showed up well in defence and didn’t deserve to be substituted. Denver came on and there was no drop in effort or intensity. David, Josh and Jacob were brave in defence and worked hard as a back three. Jack ran hard in addition to his shift in defence. Ollie W came into the second row and the scrum went well with him there; he worked hard in defence and looked sharp in attack. Will S-S worked hard in unfamiliar territory in the wide-open spaces on the wing. Max bundled his man into touch as a Mossborough attack started to look threatening. Sam went well at half back with some dangerous snipes.

Chesterfield kicked off to start the second half but were caught napping for a smartly taken score by the hosts, 10-0. A difficult conversion went astray. “In case you hadn’t noticed, the game has started again!” bellowed the head coach. The stern words stung Panthers into action, and they attacked down the left. Ben G snaffled up a ball at the ruck and, with Ollie B in close attendance, plunged over for the try, 10-5. The touch judge leapt into the air, bellowing his approval and waving his flag. Panic stricken, he then quickly put his flag down and explained to the referee that he had just got a bit excited; he definitely wasn’t signalling a foot in touch and disallowing the try!

Ian was putting himself about like a man possessed, tackling anything that moved. Chesterfield won a scrum in their own 22 in the dying minutes. It was now or never. Blaine carried hard and found Harry who scampered up the right. Was a last gasp comeback on? The crowd were enthralled and vocal on both sides. At last, a knock on brought full time and a sign of relief for Mossborough.

The boys had made us proud in matching a big, physical Mossborough pack and deserved their pie and beans. Ben G was awarded player of the match (presented by Corne the Mossborough coach/referee) and said a few words. The skipper was also invited to comment. “Best scran we’ve ever had,” said Ben R. Who can say fairer than that? Thanks as always to our loyal band of supporters.