A tough start to the season for the U14 squad this Saturday at Castle Lane. The Home side started strongly with some impressive handling skills and strong set-piece play. Despite several breaks of the Foyle defence they just found it difficult to finish and the points were not forthcoming. Persistent attacks eventually allowed ‘man of the match’ Shay Owen to break the line before off-loading to open side flanker Stewart Brown who got the first points of the morning followed by a successful conversion putting ERGS into the lead. However, despite being on the back foot for most of the first half the Foyle side then capitalised on an ERGS mistake before half time bringing the score equal.
In the second half weary legs began to take their toll and Foyle’s ‘utility centre’ began to find gaps in the defence allowing them to score two further tries and push themselves 10 points ahead. In his new position of inside centre and fed with quick ball by new recruit Michael Bothwell at 10, Shay Owen once again displayed impressive footwork as he broke through Foyle’s defence on several occasions eventually rolling over the line for try number two. Unfortunately the clock worked against the boys as they began to mount a late comeback and the final score ended a disappointing 17-12 defeat.
