Shelford Development Squad 24 – 24 Saffron Walden 1st XV  

 Shelford fielded a strong squad on Saturday following a positive training session on Thursday, despite one or two injuries and players making themselves unavailable. Saffron Walden started the stronger in the first half using the wind effectively to pin Shelford in our own half and taking the upper hand in the set piece. They crossed the line first under the posts to take a 7 – 0 lead after some missed tackles.

Shelford responded in style with a length of the pitch score started by scrum half Charlie Baker taking a quick tap in our own 22, the ball then went through a number of pairs of hands, backs and forwards combining and Alex Greenburg eventually outpacing the cover defence to score. With the score 7 – 7 at half time and Shelford having the advantage of the wind in the second half a win looked on the cards providing Shelford could keep their shape and look after the ball more consistently in contact.  

The half started positively with a penalty awarded under the posts to give Shelford a 10-7 lead. Then followed a period of dominance for Shelford, pinning Saffron Walden in their own half and effectively switching play to the blind side to exploit the space. A second try for Shelford came through a quick switch of play and again backs and forwards combining to put Andrew Wallace away in the corner. The same tactic proved effective again as Jamie French put Liam away for another score in the same corner. With both scores converted Shelford were 24-7 up with 12 minutes remaining and looked to be cruising  to victory. 

However a loss of concentration proved costly as Saffron Walden scored a push over try from a lineout close in, a second try followed quickly after and with 5 minutes left the score was 24-19. Shelford appeared to have done the hard work though as they camped in the Saffron Walden 22 for most of the remaining time. Saffron Walden broke out though and made it as far as the Shelford 22 before being bundled into touch. Unfortunately we were unable to secure our own lineout ball and from the resulting turnover Saffron Walden scored in the corner.

The kick was missed and the scores level at 24 a piece. After the game the referee suggested that we should be happy with the result, this feeling certainly was not reflected in the feelings of the squad after the game. Saffron Walden were a strong well organised side who will do well in London 3 this season, the Development Squad dominated large portions of the game and should have won what was a very closely contested game.  

There are many positives to take from the match and the squad will be working hard during training in the coming week to ensure the breakdown and set pieces are tightened up before the League Season kicks off next Saturday against Worthing away at 3pm.