14's Boys - Paisley

Oban U14 Boys v Paisley 56 - 43

The boys travelled from sunny Oban into overcast but almost perfect conditions in Paisley. Before I go any further it is worth noting that the hospitality at Paisley was great, well organised changing rooms, good food and a very efficient referee. It’s also nice that the parent helpers from Paisley mentioned how appreciative and well behaved the Oban lads were.

For the game, both sides were equally matched but the strong performance of our forwards got us over the game line on numerous occasions. However, Paisley came out quickly in the first half and scored the first try after 3 minutes. Oban took the advantage back with a strong run from Aidan Steeman picking the ball up from the breakdown and going across the line. Again Paisley replied with another quick score before the tenth minute. The referee was quick to pick up on high tackles and Alasdair Bruce  scored from a penalty. And again, Paisley replied with a strong running back who made full use of both sides of the pitch to get across the line. The game continued to swing from side to side with Fergus scoring following a great offload from Aidan and we quickly added to our score with a touch and go penalty (following another high tackle call) but Lachie D'arcy. Paisley kept fighting to the end of the half and put another one in just before the whistle.

Again Paisley got off to a quick start in the second half but Oban replied with Oban forwards using techniques learnt at training to keep the ball alive from contact with specially good linkages between Alisdair Kellock , Alex Ross  and Christy Smith with Sam Graham finally going over the line. The Oban lads became alive to the value of this tactic and used it for most of the second half with Lachie quickly going over twice in a row. 

By this stage Oban were beginning to dominate the breakdown and most of the attacks, and further scores came from Sam Graham well assisted from another strong run by Matthew Cameron  and Josh MacAuslan going over assisted by Felix Hughes. The kicking duties were shared by Euan McCracken  and Ross MaColl who slotted in a good number between them (yet again, I didn’t manage to keep count). 

It was a really strong performance by Oban against a good opposition so well done to all the lads. Man of the match goes to Lachie D'arcy, not just for his three tries but for pulling the team together at half time and bringing them out fighting for the second half and also re-centering the team following opposition tries. It has been a really good first half term of rugby from everyone and great to see them build on their training. Special mention should also go to: Josh MacAuslan for his consistent performance as hooker, Caley D'arcy for his brave tackles and fortitude, and also Alex Ross for his tackling as well as Ruairidh Macdonald and Callum Breslin for their super-sub swapping into unfamiliar positions and good defensive work.