"What a tremendous game!"

On Stowmarket's website, Andrew went on to say that "All of the players and coaches involved today should take real credit from the rugby that was produced". Those watching totally agree!

The real significance of this game for the U15 Sharks though, is that Stowmarket's U15 squad has eight, yes EIGHT, Suffolk players in it! Yet Stowmarket only just edged out the U15 Sharks (15-12) on their home patch. This was a real test and if that result doesn't give this Sharks squad reason to have more belief in themselves and their abilities, then I don't know what will.

The game started with a novel situation for the U15 Sharks. After an injury ravaged nine or so months - they at last took to the field with 15 players! Not only that, they had a substitute! Mind you, injuries meant that that situation didn't last long but it does go to show the importance of having a SQUAD of players available when playing top notch teams like Stowmarket.

So perhaps the biggest reason for celebration was to welcome back important players who, for various reasons, have been missing, or have had to miss matches, recently. Most notably perhaps, this included Mitch Patching, Luke Hazzard, Dieter Horth and Ollie Hills. It was absolutely great to have you back. Hopefully, more will be returning from injury soon to similarly bolster the squad.

Turning to the match, especially encouraging was the fact that, for once (and at long, long, long last) the U15 Sharks did not give their opponents a head start! Luke Hazzard marked his comeback by scoring a great try which involved a number of Sharks players in the buildup. Conor Jones converted the try but Stowmarket are a tough outfit who don't roll over for anyone. They came back into the game with a try and although they missed the conversion, a penalty soon after gave them the half time lead (8-7).

Stowmarket started the second half as they had finished the first and eventually they crashed over the line for a converted try. But as Stowmarket's head coach says, this Southwold team "were far from beaten. A series of forward thrusts were held on the line by valiant Stowmarket defence but the big visiting forwards kept coming and eventually powered over but this time the conversion went begging".

As those who were there know, that try was scored by the U15 Sharks very own captain courageous, Taz Smith who got just rewards for his enormous playing efforts as well as for leading the forwards and the team in his usual exemplary fashion. That (15-12) turned out to be the final score in what was a very, very close contest.

Despite having to play in unaccustomed positions at times, the U15 Sharks forwards (included Taz Smith, Mitch Patching, Alex Hood, Dieter Horth, Ollie Hills, Will Robinson, Rory Lacey, Sam Taylor and Callum Henderson) were immense. Yet again we saw that FORWARDS WIN MATCHES AND THE BACKS DECIDE BY HOW MUCH!

Forward highlights include Alex and Sam's absolutely crunching tackles - Rory and Callum's rampaging runs - Ollie, Will, Taz and Mitch getting stuck in in the loose all over the field, all through the game - and Dieter, sprinting (yes sprinting!!) after a loose ball in support of his team-mate, a Sharks winger :-)

It has to be said that the pretty boys in the back line (Angus Kinsella, Conor Jones, Jack Strachan, Luke Hazzard, Felix Trash, Sam Button and Harvey Wallis) showed their steel too! They proved beyond doubt that they have plenty to offer in defence as well as attack. In fact, the backs put in some of the biggest hits of the game! Admirably, all of the backs never stopped for one moment harrying and chasing some terrific Stowmarket players right up until the final whistle!

Backs highlights include Angus and Conor's massive hits - Luke's speed to the loose ball - Felix and Sam stopping opponents getting through time and time and time again - Jack missing out by millimetres on a try after sprinting the length of the pitch - and, finally, Harvey's absolutely dazzling livewire run that left three excellent Stowmarket players on their backsides and his team-mates with huge grins on their faces.

The biggest disappointment as these Sharks seemed to realise after the game, was that they lost when they might, just might have won. This U15 Sharks squad is an outstanding group of players who can be very proud of what they have achieved. However, what was clear to Pete and Tom was that they all know that they can and will improve. To keep improving these Sharks are going to have to keep learning some important lessons along the way.

So whilst it is difficult to be critical after every single member of this U15s squad played such an outstanding match, there were perhaps three lessons that need to be learnt from this game:

~ firstly, stop giving away so many penalties! It was heartbreaking to see you fight your way all the way up the pitch time and time again, only for a penalty to drive you back to where you started.

~ secondly, this squad has some fine attacking players who simply ooze pace. You just aren't using the likes of Sam and/or 'new Sam' and/or the others in the team with blistering pace enough. You need to get those players that yard or two of space AND get the ball to them in that space. You all know by now that with that yard of space and the ball, they will get you that try.

~ thirdly, Stowmarket showed that no matter what happens (whether a mistake is made or a decision goes against you or something else goes wrong) every single player simply has to keep his focus and get on with his rugby. You have to stop getting 'distracted' by mistakes (whether your own or the mistakes of anybody else on the field) and instead simply must ensure that you keep your focus and your discipline.

Again, very, very well done though. That was a real test and that result must give each and every one of you some more belief both in yourself and your abilities! Whilst they earned your respect, you certainly earned Stowmarket's respect! A fantastic game!