U14B draw with Wellington College in nail-biting clash

By Tom Oliver

Hampton’s U14B rugby side played well and were unlucky not to come away with a win, as they drew 12-12 with Wellington College, writes Tom Oliver. 

Nick Lewis scored early on for Hampton, who were able to sustain the lead until early in the second half, when Wellington struck back. 

Navik Mendis restored Hampton’s lead, but a late try from Wellington levelled the game, to leave the final score 12-12.

Wellington put together two promising moves early on, but Hampton stopped them twice with some impressive defensive play, while backed up on their own try-line in both instances. 

A well-worked Hampton move was finished by Nick Lewis, who scored under the posts, as Leo Van Gelder converted to give Hampton a seven-point lead. 

The first half finished at 7-0 to Hampton, but Wellington scored their first points of the game not long after the break, though a missed conversion meant Hampton retained their lead. 

Hampton replied quickly, as Mendis fought through contact, hit the floor and bounced back up again to score a brilliant try in the corner. Sam Berresford missed a tough conversion attempt though, leaving Wellington within a converted try of tying the game up. 

Minutes from the final whistle, Wellington charged forward, capitalising on a series of Hampton offsides at the ruck, as well as a lapse in the defensive organization that Hampton had displayed earlier in the match. 

Wellington converted before the final whistle blew, as the game finished in a draw.

Hampton will go into next weekend’s fixture against Seaford College hoping to repeat the standard of performance they displayed this week, and hungry for their first win of the season, after playing some great rugby in this week’s match.