Sleaford U13 14 - 17 Rasen U13

Following a week of wet weather Rasen's U13 travelled to a very busy and very soggy Sleaford RFC for the NLD Shield Semi-finals. As it happens their opponents gained home advantage as once again the red and greens of Willingham Road came face to face with the black and red of Sleaford.

A fantastic performance puts Rasen into the Finals and, as Rasenrugby.com understands it, promotion to the U14 NLD Cup competion awaits them next season. They now have the Final against Matlock to look forward to on the 18th April at Newark.

With Rasen's U13s drawn against the home Sleaford U13 side for the NLD Shield Semi Finals day it was touch and go whether the event would go ahead due to the deluge over the days preceeding, however, Sleaford gave the go ahead mid day Saturday and we all turned up in the pouring rain on the Sunday morning for the 1st KO of the day. For all the rain the Sleaford pitches had held up well and were perfectly playable.

Both teams were clearly there on merit and serious about the business in hand with Sleaford putting immense pressure on Rasen form the off. The slippery conditions lead to a number of handling errors on both sides, but on the whole the lads did well to control the ball and open up the rugby with some thrilling attacking runs. Sleaford enjoyed the territorial advantage with a strong wind behind them throughout the 1st half. Rasen scrummaged very well and took several against the head from the much larger Sleadord pack. Sleaford, however, were winning the lions share of the rucking with some very well drilled and strong forwards driving over the ball.

The pressure inevitably paid off for Sleaford who ran in a superb try to open the scoring, which was then converted. Rasen fought back and with grit and determination they edged their way into better attacking position to launch George Bennett on a powerful run for the Sleaford line to open Rasen's scoring under the posts. Having converted his own Try, George brought the score level after 20 minutes of action.

Sleaford were equally determined and from their kick they immediately launched into attack after attack in the minutes up to half time. The pressure was too much and with the ball tucked in tight Sleaford crashed over the Rasen line for another converted Try taking it to a 14-07 lead at the half time turnaround.

The second half was, happily, another game. Rasen brought on the remaining squad members with 5 changes in all. With the combination of fresh legs and the wind now behind them, the Rasen lads raised their game. The territorial was now increasingly with Rasen and some good running rugby from both the forwards and backs ensued. James Sullivan and Barney White battled away furociously up front and drove through the opposition with flanker Alex Jones and No8 Tom Lishman always on the shoulder or who ever made a run. Second row Etienne Ramsay was ever present from start to finish showing great fitness, tackling and attacking ability, always in the thick of it.

The pack continued to dominate in the scrum with excellent delivery from Scrum half George Cunnigham out to Fly Half Oscar Rollings who had yet another great game. The renewed vigour and frequent good possesion lead to George Bennett at outside centre being able to go forward on numerous battering runs deep into the Sleaford half, but being stopped eventually on many of them by a spirited and relentless defence from Sleaford. The pack also began to even the score in the rucks too as they fought back and with increased forward momentum the ball spun out yet again and reached George Bennett for the run that mattered as he powered past the defence this time and touched down to close the gap in the scoreline. With the Try unconverted the pressure remained for Rasen to do the work, but with their confidence rising and success in sight they fought on with great determination against a strong Sleaford side who were giving nothing away. With five minutes to go and just inside the Sleaford 22, Rasen were awarded a scrum. With an almighty surge and a great hook from Joe Ellis, the ball came back to No8 Tom Lishman's feet who without hesitation picked up and charged for the line touching down 5 metres in from touch to put Rasen in the lead for the first time at a too close for comfort 17-14 as the Try was not converted.

With the Rasen supporters now on tender hooks and biting what was left of their nails, the game entered the last few minutes with a flurry of activity and almost desparation from both sides as Sleaford fought back to try and regain the lead while Rasen had to hold out and retain their hard fought for one. As the Ref checked with the touch judge to agree how much time was left, which was 20 seconds, the crowd too went frantic with Sleaford supporters desparate for their lads to clinch a final winning try, but Rasen, with time now up, defended hard and robustly to hold them out managing to win a turnover ball at a ruck and launch the ball into touch to the magic sound of the Ref's final whistle and a 17 - 14 victory for Market Rasen and Louth's U13s.

'Man of the match' went deservingly to Etienne Ramsay who amongst others did so much work throughout the game to deliver the ball that the backs needed. The 'Player of the Month' trophy went to team Captain Tom Lishman who was also ever present in not just this game but so many over the recent weeks and months and who puts in such effort at training too and who is progressing well as a team player.

Market Rasen now have the Final against Matlock to look forward to on the 18th April at Newark.