Under 13s Reports (Most recent at Top)

11/03/07 at home to Wootton Bassett

Today for the first time in weeks we had a bright and sunny day with a firm pitch. Ideal for open running rugby.

In accordance with the plan Swindon opened brightly, playing up hill with the wind against us. We kept the ball in hand and hit the rucks and mauls with a purpose, enabling quick ball to be delivered along the back line.

Swindon handled the ball well and it wasn't long before Cameron Panting crossed Wootton Bassett's line to score the opening try. 5-0 (no conversion)

With Swindon beginning to get a grip of the game Stuart Dougherty stretched his legs up to the left wing and delivered an excellent inside ball, which lead to Swindon's second try which was scored by Ryan Gardo. 10-0 (no conversion)

With the end of the first half in sight, Aiden Stevens burst through to cross the Bassett line to score Swindon's third try. 15-0. On this occasion Stuart added a further 2 points for the conversion 17-0 (converted)

First Half 17-0

Swindon began their second half with the wind behind them and heading down hill. It wasn't long before Aiden, once again crossed the Bassett line to open up the second half score. 22-0 (no conversion).

As Swindon began to spread the ball left and right we found some space down the narrow side, and with Greg Moyle sprinting 30 metres to score, bringing the score to 27-0 (no conversion).

Swindon got themselves into trouble with a moment of loss of concentration and found Wootton Bassett inside the Swindon 22 and with some strong running from Bassett they crossed Swindon's line and scored their first try. 27-5 (no conversion)

The end of the game was in sight and Swindon pressed on again. With another outstanding break, Aiden Stevens ran in his third and the last try of the game. 32-5 (no conversion)

Final Score 32-5

An excellent squad performance with a special mention to Aiden Stevens for a hat-trick of try's. The 'man of the match' trophy went to Stuart Dougherty for his impressive running and his conversion ending a barren spell for Swindon's conversion attempts.

21/01/07 away against Melksham

On a very heavy, boggy pitch Swindon held Melksham in their own half which lead to five tries being scored in the first half. Some good running from the backs and offloading of the ball in the tackle which enabled us to cross the line.

Half Time - 0 -25 (no conversions)

The second half started the same as the first and Swindon took the opportunity to play players in different positions. There was some good strong running from forwards and backs alike creating holes for their team mates to run through to score. Once again during the second half we scored a further 5 tries with no conversions.

Full Time 0 - 50 (no conversions)

Try scorers:

Stuart Doughty x 2
Greg Moyle x 4
Jason Grunsell x 1
Cameron Panting x 2
Ian Mearns x 1

03/12/06 Wiltshire Cup Game away to Salisbury

The game kicked off in some blustery conditions with Swindon playing up hill. Swindon started well keeping Salisbury in their own half and pressing on well. Throughout the first half Swindon had some good possession but lacked the cutting edge to break through Salisbury's defence. Salisbury however took their chances well with some good individual work from their back row scoring five tries in the first half and converted three.

Half Time: Salisbury 31 - Swindon 0

Swindon playing down hill, started well but failed to get over the Salisbury line. They were unable to break through the Salisbury defence. Swindon had a large part of the possession but couldn't put it to good use. Salisbury broke through to score their final try which was again converted.

Final Score: Salisbury 38 - Swindon 0

19/11/06 away against Wootton Bassett

Swindon started brightly, strong in the tackle with some strong running. With Bassett playing down the slope Swindon contained them to the middle of the field. With a strong run and some good hands Wootton Bassett crossed our line to score the opening try, which was converted. Swindon 0 - Bassett 7. Swindon began again to press on with some solid tackling and determined running pushing Bassett back into their own half. Once again Bassett shifted the ball along the line to get in behind our back line and again went over for the second of the game. Swindon 0 - Bassett 12 ( no conversion ) Swindon began to dominate at the break downs, with strong rucking and mauling, providing good ball for the backs to run.

Half Time: Wootton Bassett 12 - Swindon 0

Swindon started the second half as strongly as the first, dominating the play and it wasn't long before Ryan Gardo playing outside centre, crashed though a couple of tackles to score Swindon's first try, ( no conversion ) Swindon 5 - Bassett 12. Swindon pushed Bassett back with some excellent rucking and were unfortunate not to go over on a couple of occasions. As Swindon pinned Bassett against their line Swindon went over for what looked like their second only for it to be held up. With 10 minutes to go the ball came out of a ruck and the ball popped out to Aiden Stevens who pinned his ears back and ran 50 yards to score in the right hand corner. Swindon 10 - Bassett 12. Swindon mostly camped in the Basset half with Bassett unable to clear their line. As the half drew to a close both teams were tiring having played a great game of rugby.

Final Score Wootten Bassett 12 - Swindon 10

Swindon played extremely well with players playing in new positions. Excellent team performance. Aiden Stevens picked up the "Man of the Match" for his strong running and support play. Well done Aiden.

05/11/06 away against Wallingford

Swindon got off to a slow start which meant they had to do a great deal of defending. Swindon defended well with some good individual skills shown, but unfortunately Wallingford were gifted a couple of tries in the first half due to poor Swindon tackling.

Half time : Wallingford 10 - Swindon 0

Swindon had a brighter start to the second half but again due to some missed tackles, Wallingford crossed our line. 15 - 0 (No conversion) After some good individual skill we began to perform as a team and put together a number of passes and with some determined running Aiden Stevens went over for a try in the corner, with only 15 minutes remaining. 15 - 5 (No conversion) During the last 10 minutes Swindon began to play some good rugby throwing the ball about and with team mates supporting the runners we began to look like we would pull something out of the game. Again unfortunately, due to some missed tackles Wallingford crossed Swindon's line again to end the game 20 - 5

Final Score: Wallingford 20 - Swindon 5

08/10/06 Swindon v Chippenham 'Cup Match'

Swindon had a good start and things looked promising. However, with 10 minutes of the game played Chippenham scored a try against the run of play. This was closely followed by Chippenham's second try. Another try came shortly before half time and was converted.
Half time, Swindon 0 - Chippenham 17

Once again Swindon got off to a good start managing to hold Chippenham at bay. Chippenham showed good pace out in the backs and ran in their first try of the second half followed by a conversion. Swindon suffered some untimely injuries and this resulted in uncontested scrums. Swindon performed some excellent tackling in defence but unfortunately Chippenham just managed to cross the line to score their final try. And then converted!!!
Full time, Swindon 0 - Chippenham 31

01/10/06 At Home Against Newbury B

Another win for Swindon U13s

Both sides were evenly matched giving no easy yards.
Swindon were first to make the break through with a stunning try from Stuart Doughety mid way through the first half of the game. 5 - 0

Shortly before half time and with only a few minutes to spare Ryan Gardo picked up from the number 8 and crashed over the try line to score Swindon's 2nd try.

Half Time 10 - 0

Only a couple of minutes into the second half the Newbury Centre intercepted a slow ball through the Swindon backs to steal their only try. 10 - 5.

With only a few minutes remaining Fraser Berry received the ball on the wing and out paced two defenders to run under the posts to score Swindon's third try. 15 - 5

The team worked well under difficult conditions, rain, wind etc. They continued to move the ball along the back line incredibly well and passed at every opportunity. Some good forward work was shown by the pack with Zack hooking two or three against the head to keep the momentum with Swindon.

Final Score Swindon 15, Newbury 5

24/09/06 Away Against Stroud

The first half was evenly matched but Swindon held Stroud in their own half.
With half time looming Stroud broke through with some strong running to
score under the post which was converted.

Both sides continued to put in some tremendous tackling. With the second half looming Swindon had much of the territory and after some good forward play, the ball came out to the blind side for Fraser Berry to sprint 20 meters to score in the corner.
Half time Swindon 5- Stroud 7

The second half began much the same as the first half with both sides evenly matched, however Ryan Gardo made a storming run to cross the line and scored Swindon's second try of the game.
Swindon 10 - Stroud 7

This being the under 13's first game of 25 minutes a side, the boys were showing signs of tiring. However with just 9 minutes of the game left, the ball came out from a Swindon scrum, to centre Greg Moyles, who ran 20 metres to score Swindon's third try. Swindon 15 - Stroud 7.

During the last 5 minutes of the game Swindon were on the 'back foot' held in their own '22' by Stroud but prevented the opposition crossing the line.

Final Score: Swindon 15 - Stroud 7

17/09/06 The Lexus Junior Rugby Festival

Game 1: V Bracknell - Win 19-0: 3 Tries, 2 Conversions.
An outstanding victory. Everything came together against a very strong side. I think we showed Bracknell that we can 'out play' them in every area of the game.

Game 2: V Chipping Sodbury - Win 31-0: 5 Tries, 3 Conversions.
A convincing win where we gained our vital bonus point to keep us at the top of the table. Again an all round outstanding performance with displays of excellent tries and tackling throughout.

Game 3: V Chipstead - Draw 10-10: 2 Tries.
Having gone two tries down, you recovered fantastically well and secured another two points for the draw. This then left us at the top of the group, on the number of tries scored.

Semi Final: V Monmouth - Lost 0-5:
During the first half of the game, Swindon contained Monmouth in their own 22 but we were unfortunate not to score some points during this period. The second half however Swindon showed great resolve to prevent Monmouths attacks. Sadly with little help from the Referee we conceded the try.

Overview

This was the 'first time out' for the new squad. We managed to reach a semi final, which we more than deserved to win. All players were played at least once throughout the festival, however, it was a shame that we were limited to 12 players per side otherwise we would have been able to play more players more frequently. I would like to thank the players from last years team who gave the new-comers the opportunity to play today.

Today provided Swindon Under 13's with an excellent foundation with which to build upon for the rest of the season, remembering this is only day 1, and look what you have achieved!!!!!

There is no 'man of the match' as this was a festival and all the squad played exceptionally well and all deserved this award.

All the Action and Presentation photographs taken are available for viewing and purchase from DE Photo's website;

Lexus Junior Rugby Festival Photos