U14B v RGS Newcastle

Date: Sunday 14th March

Venue: Home

Team: 4 players from Foremarke, Dykstra, Bell (c), Frost, Reynolds, Afoakwah, Cotter, Prutton, Leung, Teal, Clarke, Bracegirdle

Result:Won 3-2

Match Report: A scratch team came up against a skilful U13 team from Newcastle and acquitted themselves with distinction. With the wind and slope in their favour in the first period, Newcastle gradually gained control with quick and skilful inter-passing. They scored a fine goal but much credit is due to the back four- Spencer (Foremarke), Akoakwah (outstanding throughout), Cotter and Prutton- for keeping the score down. As often on Sale Flats, the wind and slope had an impact in the second period, together with the fact that Newcastle's young side, on a big pitch and on the second day of an intensive tour, began to tire. Dykstra's pace and power proved too much for the Newcastle defenders as he scored the equaliser and crashed a fantastic shot against the bar for Swann (Foremarke) to score with an alert follow-up. Reynolds began to run the game from midfield but Newcastle's captain came up with a magnificent long-range effort with two minutes to go that looked to have secured a draw for the visiting team. A Repton breakaway in the final minute, however, brought about a dramatic denouement as Bell showed good strength and desire to beat the last defender and prod the winner (so slowly that it only just crossed the line) past the despairing Newcastle keeper.