BRAMPTON U16 JUNIOR MEN DEFEAT KETTON SCHOOL TOURISTS FROM UK     29th July 2007

Ketton School is located near Oxford in Southern England, and they are the third English touring side that Brampton Juniors Under 16 Men's team has faced this summer.  In suffering defeats at the hands of the two previous touring sides, Brampton was still able to score outstanding tries against the tourists and impress the visitors with their play. Against Ketton School, Brampton showed how much they have learned this season as they posted a well-deserved 19 - 13 victory on Sunday evening. 

Even with a 6:00pm kick off time, the conditions were hot, humid and hard. However, Brampton used their kick off to put immediate pressure on Ketton with a downfield tackle. Brampton then launched a series of pitch wide attacks showing good ball retention and strong running. Only the delivery of the ball - sometimes a little behind the runners - prevented a couple of early scores.

However, from a series of scrums, Brampton's front row dominated the early going and won good ball for the backs to continue their attacks. It was only a matter of time, and then Brampton broke through the centres after an outstanding series of attacking plays across the field. Phil made the conversion and the Brampton team had an early lead at 28 minutes 7-0.

The score stung Ketton into action and forward drives took the ball deep into the Brampton half, where the home team conceded a penalty from 35 metres out and to the left of the posts. The Ketton flyhalf easily made the kick and gave a warning of how any infractions might be punished. From the restart, Brampton tackled well, but the English gradually forced their way down the field. Once again, they forced their way into the 22m line and Brampton conceded a penalty, this time in front of the posts. There was no mistake, and the score ended the half at 7 - 6.

Ketton restarted, and changed tactics, attempting to drive the ball up the middle to give their outside backs more room to run against a sliding and very effective Brampton defence. The Brampton forwards tackled magnificently and often bundled their attackers backwards. When the  Brampton backs did win some ball they again showed their attacking ability by scoring a good try wide out. 12 - 6. This score was followed by another using the same wide passing tactics and Ketton was struggling, once Phil kicked the conversion. 19-6.

In the dying moments of the match Ketton drove up from a series of driving mauls to score to the left of the posts. the conversion ended the game with a 19 - 13 victory to the junior Beavers. The Brampton Juniors remain in first place in League play. Thank you to all the relatives and parents who helped with the post-game meal, and the spectators who came to see the future of the BRFC in action.