On a crisp autumn morning in Deal, the u14's took to the field for their first home Waterfall match of the season. Up against a fully-stocked Old Colfeians side, Deal faced a daunting challenge with only 11 players available. Yet, from the start, the young Deal squad showed grit and determination, ready to give their all in the face of adversity.

Old Colfeians came out of the blocks quickly, eager to assert their superiority. Within minutes, they had crossed Deal's try line, exploiting gaps in Deal’s defence. Two early tries gave Old Colfeians a comfortable lead, but Deal refused to be disheartened.

Despite their deficit, Deal fought back bravely. Aston Armstrong made a powerful run following a well-executed lineout. Charging through the opposition, Armstrong came agonisingly close to Deal’s first points, stopped just inches short of the try line by a last-ditch Colfeians tackle.

Unfortunately for Deal, they struggled to convert possession into points and Old Colfeians extended their lead with two more tries before halftime. Heading into the break, Deal found themselves 0-24 down, but the scoreline didn’t reflect the heart and effort they were showing on the pitch.

The second half saw a rejuvenated Deal side, determined not to let the game slip away without a fight. Deal’s resilience paid off early in the half when Jonathan Mattison made a wide run down towards the right wing, cutting through the Old Colfeians defence with pace and agility. His effort saw him cross the try line for Deal’s first score of the match, bringing a much-needed boost to his teammates and the home crowd.

Buoyed by their breakthrough, Deal continued to press forward, refusing to be intimidated by Old Colfeians’ numbers. It wasn’t long before Seb Mugford spotted a gap in the opposition’s line and darted through with an electrifying burst of speed, scoring Deal’s second try in quick succession.

However, Old Colfeians were quick to respond. Shortly after the restart, they managed to score another try, temporarily halting Deal’s momentum. But Deal wasn’t ready to give up just yet.

The match grew increasingly competitive as both teams fought hard for possession. Deal's commitment and teamwork were on full display when they managed to bring the play back to the Old Colfeians’ try line. In a moment of combined effort, Brandon Ashington found space and charged over the line, scoring Deal’s third try of the match. Matthew Cocker stepped up to convert the try, adding two more points to Deal’s tally and narrowing the scoreline.

With renewed hope, Deal pushed forward, battling hard for every ball. Despite their limited numbers, they continued to challenge Old Colfeians, forcing them into defensive plays and making them work for every inch of ground.

As the match wore on, the lack of substitutes began to take its toll on the Deal side. While they had fought valiantly throughout, the fresh legs of the Old Colfeians bench began to make a difference in the final stages. In the dying minutes of the match, Old Colfeians managed to score two more tries, sealing their victory.

Despite the final score of 17-43 in Old Colfeians’ favour, the Deal U14s could hold their heads high. They had shown tremendous spirit, fighting back from a difficult first half and playing with heart and determination right to the final whistle.

While the scoreline didn’t go our way, the Deal U14s demonstrated resilience, teamwork, and no small amount of skill. Going up against a full squad with just 11 players is no easy task, but they never gave up. This match was a valuable experience for the team, showing that even in the face of adversity, they can compete and play exciting, attacking rugby. With their first home Waterfall match now behind them, the Deal U14s will be looking to build on this performance and come back even stronger in their upcoming fixtures.

Man of the Match, voted by Old Colfeians boys was Jonathan Mattison.