Saving Private Ryan

LRFC U16's (5) v (0) Tuffley Rovers

An excellent team performance against a strong and determined Tuffley Rovers.

With players unavailable through illness, rugby and half century
birthdays (parents not players) the match day squad had two
substitutes. In the cold and on a heavy pitch this might have been a
problem but not today.

From the kick-off and playing down the slope with the wind Tuffley
started strong. For their territorial advantage they were unable to
get a shot on target. Such was the way the defence and midfield closed
down the space.

In attacking positions LRFC had to be patient as balls played forward
were difficult to control. The mud sticking to the ball and boots
making passing difficult. After weathering the initial onslaught LRFC
started to turn the Tuffley defence with Dan and Luca threatening from
the flanks.

Dan had the ball in the net only for it to be called offside there was
then a moment where following some dazzling wing play on the right,
the ball crossed evaded the defence with Dan heading, somehow, against
the post.

The opening goal came as LRFC started to get a foothold in the game.
Dan G bursting forward to thread the ball to Dan A who made no mistake
with an emphatic finish into the top right. 1-0. This quickly became
2-0 with a smart finish from Luca. Running into the inside right
channel and under pressure from the defender chipping the ball over
the keeper.

It would stay like this until half time.

The first half had seen Tuffley start stronger and then the game be
fairly even. The second half could not have been more different. LRFC
started stronger and pinned Tuffley into their half. They could not
get out. When Tuffley were able to get onto the ball the midfield won
it back. Freddie was bullish and dominating in midfield having a very
good game. Alongside him it was Ryan that really caught the eye today.
In a return to form this was the Ryan of last season.

He was flying into tackles, winning the ball and using it
intelligently. There was even time for a pirouette turn such was the
confidence he was playing with. Such was his dominance in midfield
that it was like having two players. A deserved Motm performance.

The 3rd LRFC goal came from Luca after sharp play with Dan. Winning a
throw in high up the field on the left Dan took it quickly, Luca
turned and finished beyond the keeper.

Dan would score the final two goals to complete his hat trick the
third being a fine effort racing through he had time to check for the
offside flag before beating the keeper. There was even time for
another disallowed goal for offside meaning that Dan had the ball in
the net 5 times.....

There was an almost goal of the game when Alf, playing wide right,
beat a Tuffley player to the ball, jinked inside and smashed a shot
that, with the keeper beaten, crashed off the crossbar.

After a long period without a game LRFC got back into the grove very
quickly. There were strong performances all over the pitch, at the
back Ben and Lewis were decisive and showed composure and strength.
The full backs, Adam, Dan and Sam showed the full array of skills
supporting attacks and defending stoutly when needed.

In the middle, Freddie, Ryan and Alf bossed the game. With Jacob and
Jorge in the central attacking positions and Dan and Luca providing
width the performance was complete.

An excellent performance, one that needs repeating for 7 more league games...