Long day for the U13's today. Travelled up to Launceston with an open mind and some very inexperienced sevens players.
The boys did themselves proud winning the group, qualifying for the semis of the cup. After a long delay we found out we were to play Launceston - a daunting task.
The boys took to the pitch after an impassioned talk by the coach to rip into them. The boys responded as 12 year old boys sometimes do and let in two soft tries. The home crowd support grew louder and louder and it felt like lambs to the slaughter.
Then the boys awoke with Ben carving a huge gap through the middle and just beating the chasing posse to score under the post. Half time it was tight at 10 - 7. In the second half the boys were magnificent camping in the Launceston half and eventually scoring another to go 12 - 10 ahead. Things looked to be sealed when Taro jinked over for another score. unfortunately the ref was unsighted and adjuded the ball wasn't grounded when it palpabably was.
Getting tense at 12-10 but time seemed up when the ref awarded a penalty to Launceston . The boys concentration lapsed momentarily and Launceston took it quickly to race clear from half way and score. Game over and lost 12-15.
So close but not quite there.
The boys were magnificent and for us to be seconds from the final of a county cup competition shows how far the boys have come this season. I (Peter Relton) really am proud of them all.