Many thanks to all the parents for their support on the touchline Saturday and for those watching the 1st XV game on the stream. 

Framlingham 15/10/22

1st XV: 
The squad were still missing a large number of players and we wish Charles M, James N, Hamish I, Jo H, Ike R, Max W, Jack L and Dylan R all the best with their recoveries over the coming rest weeks. The boys were keen to bounce back from a tough cup game and with a couple of returning players it allowed for some balance to be found. Pierre G went back in time and returned to 13 having moved to the pack a couple of years ago and showed his defensive strength in a difficult channel to defend. Will B controlled the game well from 10 and some sweeping moves allowed for Marcus W to enjoy a fruitful afternoon on the wing. Showing a good turn of speed he crossed for 3 tries that could have been 4 if not for knocking on going over in the final minutes. Dan K, Sam H and Jesse C also crossed the white wash with Will B slotting some excellent kicks from out wide. The team showed excellent character to lift themselves and Dennis K, Sam H, Sam W, T Hart along with the rest of the pack carried well all day getting over the gainline and putting the backs on the frontfoot. A little more composure would have seen more tries, but a touch of white line fever and some determined defence from Framlingham kept the final score at 36-5. 

2nd XV:
In spite of a long injury list this was an excellent performance and we eventually ran out 64-12 winners. We started the game on the front foot and there were some excellent interchanges between backs and forwards, with Reece M carrying especially well and Gus P and Josh B distributing the ball well to the outside backs. We were 30 points up at half-time, but to be fair to the opposition they stuck at it and came back with a few tries of their own in the second half. We closed the game out well and now go into our fixtures next half term with some confidence. Player of the Day: Reece M.

16A XV: 
The overriding message for the first half of the season has been for the boys to improve their personal performance each game. That so many of them have managed to do so speaks volumes about their willingness to work hard, but this week the focus was quite definitely on their ability to play as a team for the entire duration of the game.

15A XV:  
The U15A’s looked to continue their impressive run of form against an unpredictable Framlingham side. Reports from the match official before kick-off stated that we would not be engaging in contested scrums - much to the annoyance of our improving pack of forwards. This however gave the team some hope, knowing that a good defensive press would increase the likelihood of errors from the opposition, meaning clean ball from our scrums. This paid dividends as both half-backs got on the scoresheet and both kicked well. Thomas A scored early with a snipe down the blind-side. Ethan A doubled our lead with a good drive for the line following a scrum inside the Framlingham 22m. In the 22’ both half-backs complimented each other with Ollie M driving for the line and Thomas A converting. 1st Half Score 0-19.

With perhaps some points still left on the field, Felsted continued to look in control of the game, exiting from their own half well and continuing to defend well in and around the contact area. D Streeter represented the forwards scoring from a series of good phases, and offloading from the mighty 8. Final score 0 - 28.

The team has been supported well over the past couple of weeks with over 40 boys making themselves available for selection for our away matches. This half-term has been focussed on progression and improving. There have been a number of fixtures that could have gone either way, nevertheless Felsted, thus far, have pulled through. This is the sign of a good team, doing what is required to secure the win. I am excited to continue this journey of progression and improvement with the boys and for another competitive fixture block after half-term.

15B XV: 
The U15B’s continue to improve and impress with a 40-26 victory against Framlingham. After conceding an early try due to poor defence, the team really focussed on their defensive work rate and tackle technique and managed to keep Framlingham’s attack at bay for the rest of the half, going into halftime 26-5 up. The Felsted attack continued to run riot in the second half and the boys were unlucky to only score twice, being held up over the line twice and tackled into touch 5 metres out three times. In the end the boys were the deserved winners, with Fin LH finishing the game in style, stepping and weaving his way under the posts from 25 metres out. There is a good positive culture running through this team and this was highlighted with stand out performances from Peter R, Oliver B, Tom W and Charles HD. It was also good to build team confidence moving into the second half of the term.

14A XV: 
The 14’s travelled again, which is becoming a habit. We must have upset ALC. We arrived at Framlingham, looking for our first win. A great start with Felsted regaining the ball at the kickoff and Ralph P scoring after two quick rucks with Leo S converting. This set the pattern of play for the first half and good work at the rucks by all the forwards gave Felsted the upper hand and a steady supply of ball. Felsted scored four more tries before halftime making good use of the strong running of Nihal S who completed a hatrick and Ralph P getting a second, Leo S converting all four. Framlingham did get back into the game for a while during the second half and scored three times running big forward’s straight down the middle of the pitch. However, tries came at regular intervals for Felsted with Bruno OT, George E and Leo S all scoring. Man of the Match Nihal S completed his second half hat trick with another strong run from his own half, Leo S converting five of the six tries. Final score 75-21 .
 
An excellent performance from all the team showing some good ball skills and awareness to make the most of the opportunities available.  Great first win, let's hope for more after half term.

14B XV:
The water bottles under the bus started to tremble like a scene from Jurassic Park as the ferocious 14’s disembarked at Framlingham. You could taste the fear of anticipation circulating through the air as the boys in red mentally prepared themselves for what was just about to happen on those sunny fields in Suffolk. With a fast paced and exhilarating warm up, the game was underway in the blink of an eye. Silence fell around the ground as the ball plummeted towards captain Freddie Y who took the first contact of the game. Several phases carried the ball closer and closer to the halfway line until something happened. Something that would change the face of the U14B rugby team... forever. With some military grade sniping from Fin M at scrum half, he broke away and began the long adventure towards the try line. As he led the charge, a frantic sheeplike herd of players looking like they were charging towards a feeding trough supported their shepherd in their quest for a try. It all came down to this. After 4 games, 200 minutes of rugby, countless injuries and some sleepless nights, it was time for the team to bathe in the fountain of glory. As the ball was gently placed over the try line, as if they were laying the baby Jesus into his manger, the noise level reached no its pinnacle. The boys had achieved greatness. 5-0 on the scoreboard. There wasn't a single dry eye from the pitch side as the travelling supporters wept with tears of happiness over the beauty they had just witnessed.

As the warriors restarted, Framlingham were probing to level the scores and strike some fear into the hearts of the boys in red. Felsted needed to dig deep and find a way to distance themselves from the try hungry opposition. Then out of nowhere, the U14B’s found their answer in the form of an inside centre, called Phoenix I-S. As he set fire to the coals, the steam train started racing full steam ahead, moving at a ferocious speed only just visible to the naked eye. With some quick dancing feet, he foxtrotted over the line to score the second try of the afternoon. 10-0. We were sat in the driving seat, cruising to our first victory until thunder struck. Framlingham rose from the grave and popped the balloons that the chaps had prepared with a fantastically worked try. Even though it was sunny and warm, a cold breeze disturbed the hairs on the felsted players and supporters arms. They knew this wasn’t over. They knew it had only just begun. 

The battle was back and forth and lasted for what felt like hours, with some fantastic plays from both sides. Framlingham creeped closer and closer to the line with every phase and the half time whistle was the saving grace that the players were asking for. The boys had given it their all and looked to be burnt out. They needed to reignite the flames. After telling the boys to keep their faces looking towards the sunshine and the shadows will fall behind them, they were determined to bring back the first place medal. Today was the day that just kept on giving. It was like a never ending Christmas. Tries started to widen the gap between the 2 teams, but unlike in recent history, the tries were flowing in our direction. Fin M clawed his way over the line for another, then Milo M decided he wanted a slice of the action and pranced his way over. Phoenix I-S added another 2 to his account rocketing the score into the stratosphere. However, no one could have anticipated what happened next. A young spartan who goes by the name Max W, who was opening his playing account, decided that he wanted a bottle of the try scoring sauce. With the ball tucked under his wing, he flew through the clouds of Framlingham players and rested the egg gently on the floor to add 5 points to the scoreline. With some arrow straight conversions from Phoenix I-S the final score was 49-10. The boys were ecstatic with the result and celebrated the win over a bottle of water on the bus. Morale was high in the 14’s camp and hopefully this is just the beginning of what the ferocious 14’s are capable of. Splendid day and a pleasure to watch.

1st XV Round 2 Natwest Cup v Finborough 
The attritional nature of the game had unfortunately taken its toll on the squad and, with 8 players unavailable due to injury and 2 not eligible, the XV that took on an extremely strong Finborough squad were new to the roles they were being asked to play. The task at hand was too tough on the day and the XV spent too long without the ball. Finborough spent the day on the front foot and capitalised against the makeshift partnerships that were needed. The boys who stepped up should be commended for their efforts in difficult circumstances, but the Cup run came to an abrupt end.