Wands U13 finish season with a WIn!

Due to a reduced playing squad Wands played a 10 a side match with 3 x 15-minute periods. The referee unusually awarded 5 points for a try and 2 for the conversion. Wands only had 2 subs which were required to be swapped on and off regularly to give everyone plenty of game time, and much needed rest during a tough but entertaining match.
Wands started slowly allowing Ellon a two converted try start. They shipped the ball wide to their biggest player and some poor tackling allowed him to score. However, Wands got back into the game with a really good try, the ball getting wide to Sam who outpaced their defence. Try converted. Ellon then scored again before Kerr ran over but Wands missed the conversion.
End of 1st period was 21-12 to Ellon. The second period was a much closer affair with good defensive work and handling errors by both sides. Ellon scored first but missed their conversion then Leo Di Meola scored and Wands converted. End of second period 19-26. One of Ellon’s players got injured so Wands offered to drop to 9 in the spirit of the game although he returned later.
Wands dominated the final period with Sam bashing through Ellon’s defence for a second try which Wands converted to tie the game. Ellon then reverted to giving it to their big lad who scored to let them lead by 7. However, Flynn then scored and Finn scored the try of the match dummying off the back of an attacking scrum and running in under the posts. Both the tries converted to give us a 7 point lead. As time ran out Ellon scored in the corner but missed the conversion to give Wands a 40-38 win.
Alex was outstanding in defence and attack as were Fraser, Flynn, Sam and Leo Di Meola. Finn ran the show from 9 ably supported by Kerr at 10. Every single one of the boys played well including our newest squad member Leo.
Communication was a bit better although still needs some work and the tackling was pretty good after some initial hesitation early on in the match. Fraser running forward in attack was brilliant.
Overall Wands showing great determination and spirit to finish what has been a very difficult and frustrating season with a very positive performance.
Congratulations to the whole squad, (including players who couldn’t make it for the Ellon match) on continuing to work hard all through the season when Covid allowed.
There's a great team spirit in the U13 squad and it's been a big pity they didn’t have the chance this season to compete in a competitive league as they would have undoubtedly been a very competitive side.
Training will continue through July, we will take a break in early August then re-start to plan for the new Caledonia club conference that is due to start on the first weekend in September.
Photos courtesy of David Wallis.