VERULAMIANS Under 14s continued their recent form despite the absence of both their half backs for the match with Old Dunstablians on Sunday. Jake Cooke stepped in to scrum half and Callum Ward took over at fly half. Playing up the slope and into the win

VERULAMIANS Under 14s continued their recent form despite the absence of both their half backs for the match with Old Dunstablians on Sunday.

Jake Cooke stepped in to scrum half and Callum Ward took over at fly half. Playing up the slope and into the wind with new half backs was always going to be difficult, and Old Dunstablians took advantage with two well-worked tries in the first half, one of which was converted. Only some excellent tackling from winger Matt Lord kept the margin down to 12-0 at the break.

In the second half, Vees responded with Emil Mupemhi setting off on one of his characteristic powerful charges down the slope, handing off several players. Jamie McClachlan took over the kicking duties and converted well.

With confidence rising, the pack started to dominate the mauls and win the ball and there were some good charges from Simon Crain, Dreevesh Gooheram, Ridhaa Dollie and Callum Madge.

The pressure soon started to tell and both Mupemhi and McClachlan were strong enough to hand off tackles and score. Dunstablians were able to score two tries of their own in the second half but the Vees remained confident and added the gloss to a fine result. McClachlan broke from the base of the scrum and looked to score again, before off-loading in the tackle to the supporting Mupemhi to seal the 38-24 win.

After a mediocre season, the Chariots Under 10s finally sprang into action to secure a stunning 3-3 draw away at Datchworth.

On winning the toss Datchworth chose to play the first half with the wind and the slope and even with some excellent defence from Aidan O'Shea and Dominic Daggett, Datchworth led 3-0 at the interval.

The second half was an entirely different story with territory and possession totally in Chariots favour.

The first try came with Jack Gaskell spotting a gap from the back of a scrum, followed shortly by a superb team try finished by Dominic Daggett.

The chance was there for a draw and Vees broke through. Superb interplay between Henry Thraves and Yasmin James led to the ball being popped up to Nick 'Crazy Horse' Keohane who made the break, only to be stopped five metres short. Support came from Lewis 'Raging Bull' Ricketts who powered over to make it 3-3.

A thoroughly enjoyable game was made even better by the welcome return of Rory Aldridge who was voted Man of the Match.

New players for all age groups are welcomed at the Verulamian Chariots. Telephone Rob Lines on 01727 759613 or see www.vrugby.com for more information. Games are played at Cotlandswick on Sunday mornings from 10am.