Newmarket had mixed fortunes in the two matches but can be very proud of a fighting rearguard performance in defence, once they had shaken off the shock of the first half try count against them.
Newmarket U12 0 – Shelford U12 24
Newmarket made a very slow start to the first match. The combination of an experimental line up and some strong running from the Shelford backs meant they quickly found themselves two tries down and pinned in their own half. With Newmarket unable to get any kind of ball it was no surprise when Shelford ran in their third and fourth tries to take a 24 point lead on the stroke of half-time.
To Newmarket’s credit they didn’t let their heads drop and with a more familiar line up in the second half they defied the odds to prevent any further scores by Shelford.
Newmarket U12 0 – Shelford U12 7
In the second match Newmarket continued the terrific defensive performance with which they had ended the first. Despite being camped near the Newmarket 5 metre line for much of the match, it wasn’t until three quarters of the way through that Shelford managed to touch down for the only try of the game.
Though the Newmarket pack regularly drove Shelford off the ball at the scrum, the team struggled to retain possession and had few chances to post a score of their own. Their best opportunity came after Joe Stafford picked up the ball on his own try line and brushed aside tackle after tackle until finally pulled down only 10 metres or so from the Shelford line.
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