Silhilians u14 vs Berkswell & Balsall
Warwickshire Cup 2nd February
By Ian Hilton
Early start this morning for a hotly anticipated Warwickshire Cup quarter final against Berkswell. Sils start the game with Monty at 10. Kick well taken by Berkswell but Sils speed and accuracy sets the tone for the first 10 minutes. All Sils pressure and some great tackling from Isaac Paris, Matty Lane, Ollie Mcginnity and Ted Clarke. Berkswell trying to play in the right parts of the pitch but constant pressure eventually created the mistakes and with the ball moving through hands quickly George Maddy crosses out right, first try Sils, unconverted to make it 5-0. Sils back on the attack at the restart had Berkswell scrambling left and right but a couple of accidental Berkswell knock ons stopped the Sils momentum. Didn’t last long when a great period of play saw the ball going from Charlie at 9 through hands to Monty, Ben and George Maddy then all the way left for big Brendan Colley, with a lot to do, rampage through and score left to make it 10-0 Sils. Conversion just missed from tight angle. Berkswell stuck to the task in hand, going through the phases when a slightly slow pass was intercepted by Monty who broke free and despite a great Berkswell scramble managed to off load the ball for the hard working Ted Clarke to score making it 15-0 to Sils, Monty unlucky to miss the conversion on line but short. 18 minutes in and Berkswell were exerting pressure to retain the ball but a Sils turn over got the ball to Monty who kicked well to find touch almost at the half way line. Another period of Sils pressure saw George Hastings crash over the line with a group of defenders but some deft handling saw him ground it for Sils 4th unconverted try 20-0 Sils. Half time whistle.
2nd half saw Sils ring the changes with Ross at 9, Ben Bryan, George Marriott, Alex Rose and James Kennedy all taking to the pitch. Berkswell made a few changes but it was not long before Ollie Wilkins darted over wide right to make it 25-0. Conversion short. Berkswell changes seemed to work and after an extended period of Berkswell retention they were unlucky not to score ball held up by epic Sils defence. Man of steel award to Ben Bryan for a monster “Sam Underhillesque" hit folding the Berkswell ball carrier in half on to his backside. Despite all of that a lovely move through the hands saw Berkswell scoring a well deserved try far left, conversion missed 25-5 Sils. Despite scoring Berkswell were having to work really hard and the last man you want to see with ball in hand when your tired is Krish in space. It was milk floats trying to catch a Ducati Desmodici GP bike. Four defenders later Krish touches down wide right to make it 30-5. Conversion just missed left by Krish. Restart from Berkswell returned with interest by Sils and some brilliant attacking play from Alex, Ted Clarke and George Marriott resulted in a Sils scrum just 10 yards out. Decision made, Will Conduit at 8 in pick and go mode. A tired defence was never going to stop Will who ploughed a straight furrow to score 35-5 Sils. Krish with his kicking boots on made the conversion with a beauty of a kick. 37-5 to Sils at the final whistle.
Great performance in font of a big home crowd.