Jun 25, 2011, 1:00 amRockets U12 Cup Semi Final
Rockets vs Wallsend Eagles
Saturday 18th June 2011
This was the first time the Rockets had meet the Eagles this season.
The game got to a poor start with the Rockets letting the Eagles run a try in from the halfway line.
Rockets 0-4 Eagles
From the kickoff the Eagles were piling on the pressure with several runs, stopped by some awesome tackles from Angus, however, it was not enough and Eagles scored in the corner for their second try.
Rockets 0-8 Eagles
The Rockets needed to get their heads up. A team talk from new coach, David, had them ready to go. The ball was kicked deep into the Eagles half and the Rockets were up quickly. A mistake by the Eagles gave a scrum to the Rockets, this gave the Rockets their first attack of the match. Shane ran the ball a good 10 yards, followed by Lewis, but the Eagles tackling was good. Another two run down the middle by Sam and Shane set the Rockets for a play with the backs, Joe took the set and ran for the line and passed out to Owen who scored on the overlap.
Rockets 4-8 Eagles
From the kick off, Owen received the ball and ran the length of the pitch only to be tackled on the 5 yard line. On the set this was passed to Shane who ran the try in. This was converted by Callum.
Rockets 10-8 Eagles
So within three minutes the tables had turned. However the Rockets weren’t finished there. From the kick off the Eagles put in a short kick, but this was received by Callum who ran through the Eagles to score under the posts. This was converted.
Rockets 16-8 Eagles
The Eagles were not giving up that easily. They piled on the pressure forcing a mistake on the third tackle. From the scrum the Eagles moved forward and on the fourth tackle managed to run in a try. This was converted.
Rockets 16-14 Eagles
The Rockets kicked off and defended well, getting Eagles to their fifth tackle, however a mistake by the Rockets gave the Eagles another set quite close to try line which they managed to score in the corner.
Rockets 16-18 Eagles
The Rockets had to get re-organised. A couple of substitution were made and from the kick off the Eagles were giving the Rockets a hard time, and then there was a break away run, but Kieran was quick enough to catch the Eagles player who knocked on in the tackle. This gave the Rockets the opportunity to get back into the game. However, a pass was deemed forward and the scrum went to the Eagles.
Great defence by the Rockets managed to get the Eagles into touch on the next set. From the scrum, Owen managed to get a great run up the wing only to be stopped at the 30 yard line. However, this set the Rockets up for a drive. On the third set the ball was passed down the line to Angus who was taken out by a blatant foul (tripped over by a kicking action from the Eagles player.) For some reason, no card was issued. However, it was a penalty to the Rockets. Another drive nearly had another try, but it wasn’t to be. The half time whistle was blown.
Half time - Rockets 16-18 Eagles
The Eagles kicked off and this was caught by Shane who drove through the Eagles to score under the posts.
Rockets 22-18 Eagles
From the kickoff, the Eagles forced an error winning a scrum. The Eagles were within a metre of the try line, but Callum intercepted a pass and managed to run to the half way line before getting tackled. The next sets appeared disorganised which ended with a knock-on by the Rockets. The Eagles took advantage and from the scrum made their way up to the try line resulting in a score.
Rockets 22-22 Eagles
From the Rockets kickoff the Eagles were held back to the halfway line where they kicked on their fifth tackle. This was driven back into the Eagles half by the Rockets, but some quick play caused a knock-on. The Rockets were defending again, but managed to keep the Eagles to their fifth tackle. This was collected by Joe who managed to offload the ball to Angus who ran the whole length of the pitch to score under the posts.
Rockets 26-22 Eagles
The Eagles kicked off and this was collected by Angus who ran just short of the halfway line before being tackled. The next set went wrong when the Eagles intercepted a pass. This allowed them to drive deep into the Rockets half which resulted in a try to the Eagles.
Rockets 26-26 Eagles
The Rockets kicked off getting the ball deep into the Eagles half. Then the Eagles managed to get around the Rocket defence. The Eagles ran to within 10 yards of the try line before being taken down by Angus. The Rockets managed to defend well so that the Eagles were on their fifth tackle they kicked it over the deadball line resulting in a set from the 20 yard line for the Rockets. The ball was passed to Kieran who stormed through the Eagles to give himself a clear run to the posts. This was converted.
Rockets 32-26 Eagles
From the Eagles kickoff, Nathan collected the ball and ran a good 20 yards before being grabbed, but unfortunately he was pushed into touch by two Eagles players. The Rockets were now defending with four minutes to go, but the Rockets defence kept the Eagles at bay with a another Eagles kick over the deadball line. Another set from the 20 yard line resulted in a tackle near the 40 yard line, however the Eagles were quick of the mark and smothered the Rockets player and pushed him into touch. Again the Rockets were defending but with two minutes to go. The defence held the Eagles back and on a poor pass Callum managed to kick it twice down field about 15 yards, but unfortunately when trying to collect it on the run knocked on. From the scrum the Eagles were attacking hard, unfortunately for the Rockets they spotted a gap in the line and managed to get through and score a try. The Eagles had to convert this to draw. It was a difficult kick and the Eagles prevailed. The whistle was blown for full time.
Rockets 32-32 Eagles
Match conclusion
A fantastic match for the U12, but unfortunately could not hold on to the lead. A slow start, but some good sets. The match was enjoyed by all. We look forward to the re-match to see who gets into the final.