After last week’s game was postponed, the Sandy Bay U14s took to the field for their second game of the season against Valley Fort (VF) on Sun 15 Nov.
Unlike the opponents for their first game, VF were far bigger, better organised, and more confident, having themselves defeated a strong HKFC side in their own season opener two weeks prior.

The Sandy Bay boys knew they were in for a battle and it didn’t help that their tight-head prop, Faisal, was out injured. Ben McKellar’s last-minute absence due to illness meant that Sandy Bay U14s were missing two of their starters. Despite these disruptions, the squad acquitted themselves against their very tough opponents as best as they could. Gaspard Roubin was back in the starting line-up and captained the team into battle.

After going down by a try in the first minute, Sandy Bay U14s came back with their own score from young Harry Golovsky after a passage of dominant rugby. Harry’s conversion meant Sandy Bay U14s were leading. Alas, that was the first and last time that Sandy Bay U14s took the lead. Thereafter, VF found their footing and came roaring back. They controlled the game well and kept punching holes through the Sandy Bay U14s defence regularly to go into the break with a commanding lead.

The second half saw multiple changes from both sides and a more fractured game. One feature that sadly did not change for Sandy Bay U14s was the persistent accumulation of points by VF.

By the end, the Sandy Bay U14s had clearly had enough, the forwards in particular had been run ragged, and the game couldn’t have ended sooner for them. Final score in favour of VF: 60-7.

Despite the score line, there were certain Sandy Bay players who shone either because of their never-say-die attitude in the face of dominant opposition (Balthazar, Tivizio and Briac), or because of their all-round, on-field, display (Gaspard and Harry). Ralphy Dray deserves special mention for excelling on both counts as he continues his development as one Sandy Bay U14s most exciting prospects.