Fixture

Bouncing off the back of last weekend’s feast of rugby, the Squirrels black & white army descended on the Old Illtydians back yard ready for action. Andre stepped up first, speeding down the wing before Old Illts realised we were off the mark. But they soon forced the Squirrels backwards with blisteringly quick hands before the Squirrels could blink. Tit-for-Tat tries from 'try-machine' Andre and Old Illts, left the score line 5-3 at half time. Old Illts were structured with great inter-team passing, and deserved to be in front despite some hungry tackling from Evan Hall keeping them from the line. Arum and Jack Preece tried to get things going for Squirrels but even the exquisite darting runs from Seb Lloyd could not break through the Old Illts lines. Final score was a bruising 6 to 4 loss for the Squirrels.

In Match 2 old Illts really put the pressure on Rhiwbina scoring two try’s early on in the game despite some brilliant strong tackles from Aidan, Joel, Isaac, and Jack. Getting closer to half time and with no points on the board the Squirrels were eager to score some try’s with our first being scored by Joel assisted through a full team effort of passing and making ground. The 2nd half started with Rhiwbina were putting the pressure on to the opposition with Evan Reynolds making some silky little runs to really test the Old Illts defence. With Evan breaking through the gain line and keeping the ball alive brilliantly, the Squirrels deserved a try – but were stopped just short of the line on several occasions. Chester then came in with a great run with Rhiwbina being awarded a penalty, but our attack was stopped short. Old Ilts ran from the back of the scrum the full length of the pitch scoring their third try! Jack responded with a try of his own which they then mirrored before Chester drew the game to a close with the last try of the match.

Match 3 started very similarly to the first, with Old Illts scoring an early try, shortly after Joel broke through with some excellent passing between Joel and Josh followed by passes to Evan Randig onto Chester all making ground ending with a pass to Logan who scored – a champagne moment that made the coaches beam with pride! We continued to see excellent tackles from Joel, and Aidan was on top form rucking whenever & where-ever the team needed. The body bruises began to mount up and Squirrels lost Aidan to injury after turning over the ball like a young Alun Wyn Jones! Having been checked over he was thankfully ok and shortly back on the pitch making a series of fierce tackles. Evan S showed also showed no fear and was going in on every opportunity, Evan R once again showed his fantastic eye for the game completing “just in time passes”. After half time Aidan started us off with a full pitch run stopped just short of the line even after the referee called on the support of the new Squirrels TMO. Out of the scrum Logan sped over the line scoring his 2nd try! Both teams were still going strong, Jack made a try saving tackle leading to a Rhiwbina scrum, despite a fantastic tackle from Jack, Old Illts intercepted and scored again bringing the scores level. Old Illts very nearly scored again before Isaac made a try saving tackle! Evan R and Jack continued the great passing we had seen throughout the game until the very end, with josh getting his head down, and driving Old Illts backwards! A very selfless team effort from both games, all of the team have shown great progress and confidence in themselves. 

The Squirrels entered the final match of the day determined to step through the gears & put right the earlier display – and boy did they! The normal spearhead attacks from Andre were supported from some amazing support play from Jacob & Arun – and there efforts were rewarded taking offloads so the Squirrels could finish off the moves over the try line! Lewis & Jack were industrious in midfield, drawing tackles before finding their team mates in space. But Old Illts were equal to every try, tackle and pass. They matched move-for-move to keep their noses ahead in the game; while Andre bagged himself a brilliant brace more of tries! The Squirrels took some heavy hits, and Ben who had been their rock in defence was lost to injury. Evan Hall battled and scraped for every ball, and with seconds on the clock Calum caught a pass off his toes, before setting Jacob off who-swallow dived over the line in a Ashton-esq try to draw the game 7 all! A great team effort!

Tough tests against a really good Old Illts team, but the manner in which the boys played will set the Squirrels up nicely for ‘Grudgement Day’ in the local derby next weekend. Bring. It. On.