Match Report
Taunton School Boys-U15A (JCA) vs  Canford School
On: Saturday, 11 Nov 2023
Venue: at Home

Following a minute’s silence before the start of the match, Taunton came 'flying out of the blocks' and immediately put Canford under pressure. Several phases took us very close to the line, Heryck Gallimore was tackled just short, and so was Dylan Holberry, the prop on his full return after injury, but finally Harrison Perrone crashed over, with the try converted by Jack Blackwell.

Boths teams went back and forth for the rest of the 1st half, both attacks were cancelled out by solid tackling. The score remained 7-0 till half time.

Taunton had the slope and conditions in the 2nd half, and this immediately told. Canford tried to spread the ball wide, but centre Perrone, having his best game of the season so far, made a one-on-one tackle, returned to his feet to jackal, stole the ball and then showed great acceleration to run 30m to score an incredible try. Once again converted by the trusty boot of Blackwell.

Canford were struggling to exit their half at this point, they kicked to Jack Saxton, the fullback returned with interest, beating several players and then releasing Zak Pitman on the wing at the perfect time, with the winger finishing well in the corner.

Canford then rallied, making more ground on carries and when they had possession and territory for a good 5 minutes the staunch Taunton defence finally broke with them scoring from close range.

This inspired Taunton to push on further. Phases took them to halfway, and good communication identified an overlap on the blindside. Holberry showed great awareness and hands to fizz a flat pass to Ollie Wotton Perry which allowed him to get on the outside of his defender and then with audacious skill chip over the fullback and win the footrace to dot the ball down in the in-goal area, a superbly executed try!

With the final play of the game, Taunton were awarded a penalty, which Blackwell slotted straight through the posts. A great team performance from the boys. Onwards and upwards!