BERFC U15 As 17 - 17 Grasshoppers

We welcomed Grasshoppers for our second game of the day. Despite our opponents topping our league the previous season, we’d fought out a 15-15 draw in the league encounter, and both teams knew this would be another keenly contested match – and an opportunity to see how both teams had progressed.

Under sweltering conditions the game kicked off. Barnet had the better of the early exchanges and some good rucking saw them pressure the Grasshoppers line – only to lose the ball at the death. Grasshoppers then started to gain a foothold in the game – some good work off of the back of the scrum, some well placed kicks and some strong running soon had the Barnet defence under pressure – and the Grasshopper’s fullback capitalised on a loose ball to sprint clear and touch down for a 0-7 half time lead.

Both teams made changes at half time – and Barnet soon closed the gap with a break down the left and a try in the corner to bring the score to 5-7. The game ebbed and flowed – and the heat clearly took it’s toll – but both sides stuck at it. Grasshoppers once more crossed the Barnet line, but were held up. From the ensuing 5 metre scrum, good work once more from their number 8 saw them touch down and extend their lead to seven points again, 5-12.

Once more Barnet fought back to close the gap, linking up well again down the left wing and scoring another try in the corner to bring the game back to 10-12.

With just minutes remaining, some weary, half hearted, attempts at tackling allowed the Grasshoppers number 8 to jink his way down half the length of the pitch to stretch their lead back to seven points – but credit to the Barnet boys, as we returned the favour, retaining the ball from the ensuing kick off and running half the length of the pitch to score under the posts, duly converted with the final play of the game – 17-17.

A pleasing performance for the first game of the season – especially in the heat – and both teams looked exhausted at the end. Some good passages of play – and plenty of food for thought for both sets of coaches.