U9 Reports

Sunday 9th December Old Halesonians (Home)	Score
On a very wet Sunday morning nine members of the U9 squad supported by their loyal parents and grandparents turned out to welcome the Old Halesonians to Watton Lane. Undeterred by the pouring rain they put on a brilliant performance playing some impressive rugby. Game 1 Old Salts 4 - 3 Old Hales The game started with a quick try from Old Hales scored straight from kick off by their very tall winger. Old Salts quickly equalised with a well-worked team effort grounded by prop Jack Cullen. Old Hales winger once again scored from the restart despite heroic efforts to stop him, after a ferocious period of play Salts closed the gap on the stroke of half time with an impressive individual break away try scored by winger Jamie Harvey. Old Hales went ahead again early in the second half but Salts determined not to be beaten put on an impressive display of tackling and passing, drawing level after some more ferocious action with a try scored by prop Steven Reilly. In the final quarter Salts defended with real determination and were rewarded with a well deserved victory the winning try being scored by Jamie Harvey. Game 2 Old Salts 3 - 3 Old Hales The second game continued at the same furious pace with Old Hales once again going ahead straight from kick off, a couple of silly mistakes from the home team allowed Old Hales over the try line again just before half time. Old Salts started the second half 2-0 down but once again showed true determination playing some fantastic team rugby which was rewarded with yet another try from winger Jamie Harvey, this was quickly followed by a cheeky try from scrum half Ben Reade who dived onto a loose ball which had bobbled over the try line. Some sloppy defending and the dreadful weather conditions allowed Old Hales to go ahead once again but undeterred Salts battled on managing to draw level just before the final whistle, with prop Steven Reilly scoring his second try of the day. A fantastic team performance. Well done Ben, Steve, Jack C, Jamie, Luke, Jack B, Matt, Grant and Ryan and a big thank- you to assistant coach Dave Reilly for stepping into the breach.	4-3 3-3
Sunday 4th November Birmingham & Solihull (Away)	Score
On a cold foggy Sunday morning eleven members of the U9 squad travelled to Birmingham and Solihull for their first away fixture of the season. Where they played two matches against two different Birmingham and Solihull sides. Game 1 Birmingham and Solihull 2- 0 Old Salts Both teams started well with some good offensive and defensive play, despite a heroic effort Salts failed to break through the opposition’s strong defence, Birmingham and Solihull went into the lead with a breakaway try from one of their biggest players, followed by a dubious try on the stroke of half time. In the second half Salts tried hard to get back into the game but still could not break through although they came very close on several occasions. Game 2 Birmingham and Solihull 4-1 Old Salts Salts tired and battered heroes started the second game against a different set of Birmingham and Solihull players at full pace with a well worked early try scored by Jack Cullen, unfortunately the opposition quickly equalised and were 2-1 up by half time. Salts held on for the first part of the second half and once again came close to scoring, in the last couple of minutes their tiredness began to show and Birmingham and Solihull with the advantage of fresh legs scored two more break away tries one on the stroke of the final whistle. It was a hard game, which was deservedly won by Birmingham and Solihull but the score line did not truly reflect the difference between the two teams. Well-done lads for a fantastic team effort against very good opposition.	2-0 4-1
Sunday 21st October Walsall (Home)	Score
Nine members of the Old Salts U9s squad welcomed Walsall U9s to Watton Lane on 21^st October for a friendly fixture Game 1 - Old Salts 0 Walsall 2 Both teams played really well with some impressive defending, Walsall finally coming out on top with two breakaway tries. Game 2 - Old Salts 2 Walsall 0 The second game was even more exciting. Once again both teams played some really good rugby. Old Salts put in a real team effort determined not to give anything away and were eventually rewarded for their hard work with tries from the team captain Ben Reade and top try scorer this season Daniel Tracey. Well done to both teams for a 100% effort	0-2 2-0