A close game which could have gone either way saw the under 14's miss out on promotion yesterday in the sunshine in South London.

Whitgifts are a completely different side to last year, have great determination and a huge size increase from last year. They played well as a team on the pitch and showed an obvious desire to put one over us. Credit should be given to their Manager and Coaching staff for the very obvious improvements.

If it had not been for their huge centres (height and speed Lewis Bryant and physique of Danerous Dave Moore!!) and our inability to tackle/slow them, then the result would have been different.

Our key players were marked and even when positions were changed Whitgiftians still managed to nullify us in the loose until half time.

Hope came just before half time with a trademark run from Daniel Wellden who upended a a few defenders to then show his pace and score to lift the team.

A few changes on-pitch saw the lineout work better and the scrum perform well. The game was changing and our fitness work close up was starting to show. Jacob Jackson taking the ball on from the back of the rucks often gave options. One led to a pass from Dan to Joe Collyer to score the second try under the posts.

A frustrating day as on the whole the team played well and worked for each other. A couple of fundamental mistakes meant that Whitgifts were able to pull clear.

The whole squad should still be proud of what the way they conducted themselves in the game despite some tricky moments. Keep your head held high and accept that it sometimes doesnt work. Remember that you are as one and give as much help as you get!

If we could tackle consistently and exploit the options we would have one. Notch that down to experience and be ready for Wednesday evening. Let me know if you cannot make it for training please as we have a busy session planned.

Now to Cobham this Sunday!