A game to remember

Horsham U15 boys entertained Guernsey at the weekend in the eagerly anticipated climax to the league season. Both teams prior to the match shared identical form cards, victorious over all other teams with exception of league winners Brighton. Guernsey had managed to outscore the hosts in those fixtures posting scorelines along the way more accustomed to a basketball court. Without forward Talisman Alfie Salsano and arguably, Horsham’s player of the season Harry Peel, Horsham were in for a tough game.

Horsham had been anticipating a herd of Guernsey beef to arrive but instead as the coach doors opened what emersed, after the cloud of over-ripe onions, Deep Heat and Elnett had dispersed was a team of athletic, well mulleted lions ready for running rugby combat.

Horsham dominated first half possession playing some wonderfully expansive free flowing rugby. The wildcats poked and probed at the Guernsey tourists, Noah Ashton directing proceedings from fly half. Proud uncle and first team captain Tom Johnson was watching from the sidelines and must have wondered at times if he was looking into a fairground mirror that showed his past.

Despite Horsham’s dominance of possession, it was the visitors that struck first. Guernsey’s man of the match and alpha mullet Barney powered over the line with a train of defenders not seen since Charles and Diana’s wedding. Guernsey converted to take 0-7 lead.

Not derailed by the set back Horsham got back to work, searching, probing for a hole in the Guernsey defence. Unable to go under them, unable to go over them, Luke Mitchell decided to go through them scoring under the posts with only 5 minutes left till half time. Outside Centre Thomas Cochlin cooly converted to level things up at 7-7.

In response, Guernsey swung the door of superiority on their hosts and subjected Horsham to wave after wave of attack, pounding at Horsham’s defensive door. Unable to hang on till half time, the magnificent Barney smashed through a tired Horsham defence for a 2nd time restoring a 7-12 lead for the visitors at the break.

In what was one of the most entertaining halves of youth rugby I have witnessed at Coolhurst, both teams went to war in the 2nd half. Two sets of young men trading blows as they searched for dominance with a total disregard for percentages. The handling and dogged defending from both Horsham and Guernsey a joy to watch.

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With only 10 minutes remaining scrum half Hugo Perrodow broke the deadlock. Hugo, filling in on the wing for broken Green Army soldiers danced his way through a determined Guernsey defence to take his team into the lead for the first time. Cochlin converting expertly. 14-12

Guernsey retaliated with a vicious onslaught of Horsham’s 22. Horsham giving their hearts to defend their line. Despite the heroic efforts of Horsham man of the Milo Wilson and the rest of his Horsham teammates, Guernsey finally found a crack in the dam crashing over via a well worked penalty with only 2 minutes remaining on the clock. Unconverted. 14-17.

Horsham’s spirit not broken, stormed into the opposition 22 trying to force an error, win possession and steal the day. Intense Horsham pressure won a penalty under the posts at the final play of the game. Rather than secure a draw and finish 3rd on goal difference Horsham opted to go for the win. Despite their best efforts the visitors managed to hold on and take a well earnt victory from a hugely entertaining game of rugby.

The rugby was a true joy to watch, our visitors delightful. A true advert for our beautiful game. Looking forward to the rematch already!