The Lambs were up against Boys Club of Wales last time out and it was another windy and wet day up in Oxfordshire making it tricky to play The Lambs famous fast and free rugby.
Nevertheless, in the first 10 minutes some nice running rugby was played with the Lambs creating space in the midfield and playing in the Welshmen’s half before getting a penalty on the 5 metre where captain George Jones (Millfield), crashed it over for a try.
The Boys Club of Wales hit back strongly with two tries in quick succession – showing off the strength of their pack and crashing over the try line from the base of the ruck for their first try, and then scoring with a nice backs move to go over under the post for their second.
After the Welsh side dominating possession and territory, the Lambs stepped up their defence with some crucial try line defending that enabled them to play ball in hand from the back. A scrum to the Lambs was given on the 10m line, Paris Mecrlain (Lord Wandsworth) picked it off the base and found a gap on the inside of the Welsh fly half. He drew in the fullback and gave it to Charlie Woodmansee (Berkhamsted) who stepped the winger tracking across to go over for Lambs 2nd try, sending the teams in for the break with Boys Club of Wales leading 21-10.
The Boys Club of Wales started the second half off well with a try early doors, again showing the strength of their forwards picking it off the base of the ruck to go over for 26-10.
However, man of the match Mecrlain showed his power and strength by making a break and one on one with the fullback decides to score a try in proper number 8 fashion by running over their fullback and stretching out to the line with 1 or two defenders hanging off his back. Fast, Free and Powerful!
This really gave The Lambs the boost they needed, and in the final 10 minutes they were looking on top by making breaks all across the pitch. Then, Fergus Deans (King’s Canterbury) trundled over the line to score his first try for the Lambs and on his debut to boot!
For the last 5 minutes the Lambs were looking like a winning try could be on the cards and were playing some lovely running rugby out of their half. Unfortunately for them, with the poor weather there was a dropped ball, resulting in a loss of possession in the last few minutes where the Boys Club of Wales took no risks and ran the clock down by keeping it in the forwards until it was time to kick the ball out.
Full Time: Lambs 22-26 Boys Club of Wales
Commenting after the game, Lambs National Director Alex Laybourne said: “We have had a good set of four games, an excellent win over Coventry, two lost to a kick or a conversion and a hard fought battle against Crawshays on a wet pitch in the middle of Wales.”
“We have played Fast and Free, despite the weather this year, and the boys have stood up and taken ownership. There has been some superb rugby on show, it’s an exciting group that have played well and not necessarily been rewarded on the scoreboard – but they have excited the spectators!”
“With the 7s season now upon us we will wait until that’s over before a couple of games pre-tour and we look forward to getting back together soon.”
15 Joe Hill (West Buckland), 14 Connor MacMillan (Shebbear College), 13 Jasper Orlebar (Oundle, vice captain), 12 Thomas Houghton-King (Taunton), 11 Charles Warren (Mount Kelly, vice captain), 10 Benjamin Chaffey (Taunton), 9 Charlie Woodmansee (Berkhamsted), 1 Oliver Nilsson (Rugby), 2 Henry Kunzig (Shiplake College), 3 James Hill (Rugby), 4 Antonio Suarez (Mount Kelly), 5 George Jones (Millfield, captain), 6 Fergus Deans (King’s Canterbury), 7 Freddie Wharton (St Peter’s, York), 8 Paris Mcerlain (Lord Wandsworth College).
Replacements: 16 Jacob Steel (Northampton School for Boys), 17 Laurie Stredwick (Bedford), 18 James Sisterson (Bishop’s Stortford College), 19 William Loftus (Sir Thomas Rich’s), 20 Aaron Molnar (Millfield), 21 Joe Barrett (Ampleforth College).
