Under-14s lose Sunday thriller

West Norfolk U14s headed to North Walsham for one of the season’s biggest clashes and returned home very unfortunate not to have anything to show for their efforts.The home side looked well-organised and strong from kick-off, applying immediate pressure in all areas of the field.While West sank deep into their own half, they relied heavily on the front line to settle the team, but North Walsham took advantage of the early possession and converted a well-deserved try.Opportunities for West kept coming but the home side took another try, putting them further in front.Great spirit within the West Norfolk camp ultimately saw them execute a brilliant all-round team move, setting Kody Somerton on his way to a superb try between the sticks, converted by Ben Taylor Bunting to end the half at 12-7.West came into the second half full of confidence, with an attacking Jack Godfrey-Leggett going on a charging run to within yards of North Walsham’s try line, with the home team doing well to hold up both him and his mauling teammates but conceding a penalty in the process.The kick was awarded to West Norfolk and neatly slotted over by Ben Taylor Bunting, bringing the scores closer at 12-10. North Walsham, not fazed by West Norfolk’s second-half response, came straight back with another try to inch further ahead at 17-10. The match suddenly became more open, with both sides exploiting each other’s defence and setting both teams up for end-to-end action.There was vocal appreciation from the travelling supporters when Simon Rodrigues got his hands on the ball on the halfway line and flew down the wing to score, taking West Norfolk within a whisker of North Walsham at 17-15.The home side kept applying pressure with great passing movements and stretched West Norfolk, resulting in a breakaway run down the wing to score, regaining a comfortable lead. With the game still in the balance, the visitors looked like they were going to make a comeback and win when Ethan Killian scored a breathtaking try with five minutes left on the clock.But the home side took the sting out of the game by regaining possession and kicking downfield.The final score saw North Walsham take the win 24-20.Thanks to the side’s shirt sponsors JBC Roofing.