NRFC Youth Strength shows in County Honours
June 1, 2010
The strength of Newbury RFC Youth Section is well illistrated by the numbers of players being selected for Berkshire for the 2010/2011 Season.
The roll of honour is below. Congratulations to All.
18/4 U16s’ Berkshire Youth League Finalé
April 20, 2010
Seven Try Sunshine Finalé
Reading Abbey U16 A 7 – Newbury U16 A 43
Newbury U16 A finished off their final Berkshire youth league season in suitable fashion with a basketful of tries at Abbey on Sunday. Seven tries in the sunshine was a fitting climax to their BYL campaigns over recent years, even if the champagne style of some recent games eluded Newbury for most of the match.
Perhaps because of their eagerness to secure the result they wanted, Newbury didn’t achieve the stability up front or the slick distribution that would have given the control they needed early on. But Newbury opened the scoring after seven minutes when ball went wide on the right and Jonny Courtney sprinted into the corner less than a metre from touch. Ten minutes later Greg Heath chalked up Newbury’s second with a lovely break down the left wing round the defence for a run in under the posts. However, despite fierce breakdown and rucking play from Jonno Stancombe, Tom Simm, Will Frome, Tom Soanes and others, the untidy and frustrating pattern of play continued (as it did for most of the game) and errors left Newbury vulnerable to the determined and hopeful Abbey team. Muttering about some of the infringement calls and under pressure at being pushed back to their line by Abbey kicks, Newbury lost composure and suffered at the Ref’s whistle several times for ruck offences before he blew for a penalty try. But Newbury shrugged off the loss of points and, always looking dangerous in the Backs, took the next on slow ball moved to the right. Even though the final pass needed a stretch behind to catch it, Jonny Courtney rooted the defender, stepped round and went down the line, just in play, resisting tacklers, nudging the flag post but grounding safely. In fact, in spite of the continuing scrappy set piece and phase play, whenever ball moved out Newbury spectators held their breath. And the fourth try was a candidate for a master-class in offloading. Video would be needed to confirm all participants but ball went wide to the right again through quick hands, Jonny Courtney took a familiar dash down the wing before twisting to offload to Will Eversfield and a string of several more fingertip offloads in contact ended when Tom Simm touched down between the posts. A superb try. Then, just on half time, Newbury secured the fifth after good hands to the right and well timed passes saw Greg Heath slip through and behind the defence – under the posts again. Abbey 7, Newbury 31 at half time.
With the bonus secure, Newbury rested some players and refreshed from the bench soon after half time. Abbey fought hard and caused more disruption for Newbury but were themselves frustrated and indiscipline netted them a well deserved yellow card. Newbury took advantage just after 20 minutes in, when a counter attack by Jack Hibberd set Alex Huntsman off on a break down the left wing and a score under the posts. The visitors’ seventh and final try came ten minutes later, running from inside their own half. Joe Leadley to Jack Hibberd, then Alex Cima headed for the line wide on the right before hesitating, being caught short but offloading to Peter Allan to touch down with only three minutes to go. Final score Abbey 7 – Newbury 43.
So, game over, attention quickly shifted to the Maidenhead - Windsor match where Windsor had been leading at half time. But sadly that had gone to form and Windsor failed to provide the upset needed. This left Newbury a very comfortable second place in the final league standings behind Maidenhead – the unfortunate loss after conceding a two try lead at Maidenhead last month being the difference.
Tries: Jonny Courtney (2), Greg Heath (2), Tom Simm, Alex Huntsman, Peter Allan
Conversions: Peter Allan (2), Jonny Courtney, Joe Leadley
Squad Photo (Back) Ben Hicks, Jack Hibberd, Joe Leadley, Harry Fisher, Peter Allan, Jonny Courtney, Tom Simm, Ean Kershaw, Will Frome, Jake Newton, Sam Gutteridg (Front) George Read-Smith, Will Eversfield, Alex Huntsman, Greg Heath, Alex Cima, Tim Blake, Jonathan Stancombe (C), Tom Soanes, Jak Rossiter
18/04 London Irish U13A v Newbury U13A
April 18, 2010
London Irish U13A 24 - Newbury U13A 15
This friendly had an ominous feel for Newbury as soon as we saw the size of some huge Irish players. With Newbury missing a few of our bigger boys it was clearly going to be tough and so it proved.
Right from the off Irish made their mark, they drove the first scrum backwards, forced turnovers and smashed through would be tacklers. The pressure had to tell and after five minutes they drove down the wing, won the ensuing line out through their towering locks and their burly centre barged through a weak tackle to score. A good conversion made it 7-0.
Two minutes later a Newbury pass was intercepted and Irish broke away to score in the corner ,12-0.
In the 20th minute a long pass went to ground and Irish seized on the loose ball. It was spread wide and their fast winger shot away to score his second try, 17-0.
Newbury finally got into the game and won a string of penalties as Irish were put on the back foot for the first time. No score came before half time though George Bicknell came close.
Straight after half time Irish attacked and more missed tackles allowed them to score a converted try under the posts, 24-0 and it looked ominous.
Almost immediately we were back under the cosh and it took a great cover tackle from James O’Connor to prevent another score in the corner.
However at this point the game changed dramatically. We started to make the first time tackles with Charlie Tillett to the fore. We stopped turning possession over and suddenly Irish were under pressure. Their defensive line had been coming up fast and flat throughout and we adopted a kicking game to turn them. Andy Payne launched a bomb and just failed to capitalise as the full back hesitated. From the resultant penalty Andy was stopped as soon as he set off, the referee lost patience with the Irish number seven and handed him a yellow card for persistent infringement.
Now it was all Newbury, the scrum started to get the nudge on, the line out won some ball and the backs made inroads. Theo made a fine break before releasing Josh Lawrence down the wing but he was stopped by a great tackle.
The tide was clearly turning and Irish conceded lots of penalties under pressure. Eventually their defence cracked when Jordan broke down the wing before being halted, he offloaded to Andy who steamed over to get us on the score sheet at 24-5.
With five minutes left Josh took a high kick superbly and launched a counter attack. Jordan took it on before chipping over the full back and winning the chase to score under the posts. This was possibly the try of the season and the skill he showed would shine at any level. It was now 24-10 and Irish were rattled.
In the final minute James broke down the middle, he was halted by a fine tackle, but we recycled it and spread it wide to Charlie who scored in the corner to make the final score 24-15.
Although Newbury lost, we showed great character to turn what could have been a rout into a close game. The way we played in the second half was very impressive against a really strong side and the eventual margin of four tries to 3 is a real credit to us.
28/03 Newbury U13B v Windsor U13B
March 31, 2010
Newbury U13 B - 21 Windsor U13 B 12
After last week’s disappointment against Bracknell, the Under 13 Bs returned to winning ways with a hard fought victory against Windsor – the win was especially rewarding as this was the first time that a Newbury B team at our age group has ever beaten them. Once again it was a great team performance that made the difference in a game which was often untidy on both sides. It is to Newbury’s credit that Windsor were never able to settle into their stride due to the usual tenacity of the forwards and lots of harrying pressure from the backs.
In the first half Windsor had the advantage of a chilly breeze and the sun behind them. As is often the case, Newbury settled faster than the opposition, and managed to score a converted try in the first five minutes. James Lewis’ kick-off went deep and was not taken cleanly by Windsor. Newbury charged forward to pressurise and a great tackle by Luke Hornblow forced the knock on. Newbury drove, winning two consecutive scrums. At the second James Lewis broke through and almost made it to the line. From the ensuing ruck and through a mound of players Zach Stancombe grabbed the ball and dived over. James Lewis converted.
If Newbury thought they were going to have any easy game, the opposition had other ideas. Windsor’s restart kick was fumbled by the receivers and for the next five minutes Newbury were forced slowly back towards their own line. Despite some stout defending Windsor’s pressure eventually paid off. The ball was driven over the line and a conversion levelled the scores at 7-all.
Newbury held their nerve and started to play good attacking rugby again. The forwards began to get the better of the opposition, and Joe Peppiatt at scrum half was distributing well. The ball was steered toward the Windsor line to the right of the posts – from the ruck Joe passed the ball out to James and Newbury had a four to one overlap on the left. Despite the overlap James chose to run at the line himself and was stopped 5 metres out – however Luke Hornblow was following up, picked up the ball and ran between the posts. James converted again for a 14-7 lead.
This time Newbury took the restart well and pushed forward again. It was beginning to look as if they could possibly take charge of the game – however both teams were making a lot of handling errors and neither side could put together consistent fluid passing movements. And despite pressing forward Newbury were let down by the old failing of missing their tackles. A Windsor forward picked up the ball in his 22 and broke across the pitch through the Newbury pack. Despite a crunching tackle from Kellen Keene (by far and away the best of the game) the ball was distributed to their winger who ran from inside his own half to score under the posts. The conversion looked inevitable – however Oliver Norman dashed forward as the kicker took his run up and charged down the kick – a great piece of play that kept Newbury’s noses ahead 14-12 at half time.
At the start of the second half both teams made a number of changes, particularly in the front row. Both sides seemed slow to settle and the first period was quite messy, with a number of handling errors and problems at set pieces. Throughout the half scrums were wheeling and had to be reset. However, just when the crowd was wondering whether either team would get back into its stride Newbury made the breakthrough. Windsor looked to send the ball down the back line – but James Lewis read the game well, put in a terrific interception and charged toward the 22. He was tackled and went to ground, but Newbury continued to press. At a maul 10 metres out Alasdair Gravatt wrenched the ball from the Windsor forwards and drove on. Although the ball was briefly lost close to the line Newbury stole it back and finally Conor Segre crossed to score. James Lewis slotted in a tricky conversion to make it 21-12.
Despite no further points being added in the final 15 minutes, Newbury had the better chances and could have extended their lead. A clever kick and chase by Luke Hornblow almost caught the Windsor defence napping, but the full back just managed to clear. And just before the end Alasdair Gravatt dragged three defenders along with him for 10 metres and crossed the line, but the ball was just held up.
So once again congratulations to the Bs for a great team performance. Special praise goes to Ciaran Ffrench for a great game at full-back on his first time in the position. However, the whole squad should be proud to have battled to a historic win.
Scorers:
Tries: Zach Stancombe, Luke Hornblow, Conor Segre
Conversions:James Lewis (3)
28/3 U16 As - bonus point win over Redingensians
March 30, 2010
Newbury U16 As grind out bonus point win over Redingensians
Newbury U16 A 28 – Redingensians U16 A 3
Newbury continued their winning run-in to the end of the season, playing their last youth-rugby home league match on the first team pitch at Monks Lane on Sunday. Unavailability of several players was most keenly felt up front and left no forwards on the bench.
Redingensians disrupted Newbury’s scrum and took advantage of their underperforming lineout, preventing the home side from enjoying any meaningful set piece possession for much of the game and crucially in the first 15 minutes. Consequently Newbury struggled to exert the control and dominance they thought they might and this set the scene for a frustrating game for players and home spectators. After a scrappy and error strewn first period Newbury took the first points, sensibly opting to kick a penalty on the 22 which Jonny Courtney made comfortably. Sadly, the relief was temporary as the visitors matched it a few minutes later. Despite initiating promising running moves in the backs and occasional surges by the forwards the result was, all too often, dropped passes and lost offloads. Then Jonno Stancombe made the breakthrough with a powerful pick and charge inside the 22, rocketed forward by rare close support for the first try. Jonny Courtney converted, 10-3. Unfortunately, a shoulder knock for Tim Blake saw him leave the field soon after and, without a replacement, Tom Nield moved to the flank and did a good sound job for the rest of the game. Although their first score lifted Newbury spirits it didn’t prove to be the tonic it usually is. Newbury didn’t settle and the hasty, disjointed play continued. But persistence paid off. Lined up left at a scrum on the 22 just right of the posts, with a huge blind side, Jonno Stancombe picked, went right and popped to Joe Leadley on the break. Jonny Courtney targeted an inside gap, calling for a short give, but saw Joe Leadley winding up his pass so veered back out, took the longer ball and stepped round the winger and over for Newbury’s second. Half time, 15-3.
The second half developed in much the same way. At the set piece, Newbury hooked well but struggled to get the ball out, or get it out cleanly, and couldn’t rely on lineout ball which became a bit of a lottery. And the continuity of the last match was absent. Redingensians disrupted well but never really threatened to score or turn the game round. So, for Newbury, the game may have been safe but time had ticked by and, inside the last ten minutes, the bonus point was still two tries away. Then, a penalty just inside the 22. Go for the corner? No, the lineout wasn’t working. A scrum and give the backs a go? Maybe. Or power forward and go through the phases? Not this time. Go for points, was the decision, and Jonny Courtney slotted. But there was still the small matter of two tries. Finally, the momentum, support and offloading Newbury had displayed the previous week started to emerge with just over five minutes to go. Now constantly on the front foot, and perhaps realising the significance of the bonus point, Newbury piled on relentless pressure. Blitzing on defence, Newbury forced a dropped ball out of the visitors. Jonny Courtney scooped it up and dashed down the line from half way, into the corner for the third. Three minutes left. Straight back at them, and focused and urgent at last, Newbury launched an onslaught on Redingensians’ defence including two signature bulldozer breaks by Ean Kershaw and Jonno Stancombe and forced a series of penalties in Redingensians’ 22 – running each of them, pushing close but knocking on. That could have been it but a poor clearance from the scrum gifted possession back to Newbury. Seconds ticking away – Newbury going forward slowly – three phases moving to the left – a narrow blind side – a break by Harry Fisher – the fourth try – final whistle. Phew!
So, the door to league honours remains open, but only just ajar. If Newbury can win with a bonus point on April 18, then the top three positions will be decided by the outcome of the Windsor-Maidenhead game the same day.
Tries: Jonny Courtney (2), Jonno Stancombe, Harry Fisher
Penalties: Jonny Courtney (2) Conversion: Jonny Courtney
Squad: Peter Allan, Tim Blake, Alex Cima, Jonny Courtney, Harry Fisher, Sam Gutteridge, Greg Heath, Jack Hibberd, Ben Hicks, Ean Kershaw, Tom Lauder, Joe Leadley, Jake Newton, Tom Nield, George Read-Smith, Tom Simm, Jonathan Stancombe (capt)
21/03 Newbury U13B v Bracknell U13B
March 23, 2010
Newbury U13B 0 - Bracknell U13B 32
This friendly game proved a tough one for a Newbury B side which was missing a few key players who had decamped to the injury hit A team. Bracknell were a little too strong in all departments as they were fielding several players form their A team, and were good value for the win by six tries and a conversion.
They almost scored after 5 minutes but the referee was unsighted and could not give it. The respite was brief and although Conor Segre halted the next attack with a great tackle on the wing, the follow up attack scored in the corner, 0-5.
After 15 minutes Kellen Keen made a thumping tackle in the centre but when the ball went into touch we lost the line out and Bracknell plunged over, 0-10. Some valiant Newbury defence kept the score intact for the remainder of the half but things looked ominous.
Sure enough, not long after the restart the big Bracknell centre burst down the middle and his prop supported well and smashed through to score for 0-15.
Eight minutes in, more Bracknell pressure ended with the hooker diving over in the corner to make it 20-0.
Midway through the half a promising Newbury attack ended with an intercepted pass which was run back 50 yards for a try, 0-25.
With five minutes left Oliver Norman caught a high kick superbly and counter attacked well but to no avail. Bracknell came back down field and looked sure to score until little Henry Mills made a fearless tackle to stop them. Numbers told though and the try inevitably came soon after, the conversion meant it ended Newbury 0, Bracknell 32.
21/03 Newbury U13A v Bracknell U13A
March 23, 2010
Newbury U13A 10 - Bracknell U13A 19
This Berkshire League match was effectively a decider for second and third place in the final standings. On paper there was little to choose between the two sides and so it proved. For the second time this season Newbury lost by one try in a game they could easily have won. They dominated possession and territory but were unable to penetrate the opposition’s excellent defence. In contrast Bracknell had very little ball but made full use of what they got and Newbury’s defence out wide was no match for them. A series of injuries to key players disrupted things badly and the medical staff were almost as busy as the players.
The game started as it was destined to continue. Newbury camped in the opposition’s half and Bracknell defended tenaciously. For all the pressure it was all a bit scrappy and the try line was seldom threatened. The defenders tackled everything in sight and Newbury were unable to break the gain line. A feature throughout was the fine Bracknell defensive kicking which enabled them to clear the danger and fine following up made it hard for Newbury to counter.
After seven minutes the game changed. From an attacking Newbury scrum the ball was thrown wildly into no man’s land. Alex Britton tried to rescue it but was turned over for lack of support and the Bracknell centre surged fifty metres into the vacant spaces to score. The conversion was landed and it was 7-0 to a team which had barely touched the ball to that point.
The lesson was not heeded and soon afterwards Newbury were again turned over in attack and it took a magnificent cover tackle from prop Ollie Nunn to rescue things, with the backs totally out of the picture.
With a quarter of an hour gone, Jordan Ruddock launched a great kick and chase and looked likely to score but was just foiled by a cruel bounce. Fortunately, from the scrum after a series of drives Jack Davis just managed to force his way over. The conversion was missed and it was 5-7.
The kick off was dropped and from the ensuing Bracknell attack it was again Ollie and then Number 8 Will Britton who had to make the cover tackles. Then Scott Cullen hurt his knee in a tackle and became the first of those forced off injured. Regular half backs Lee and Theo had been unable to start and at times it was like a war zone.
Just as half time loomed came a critical score. Bracknell spread it wide but it looked contained until their winger brushed through a routine tackle and was left with a clear run down the line. He should still have been stopped but another missed tackle enabled him to score a try which the travelling support greeted with undisguised glee. The half time whistle blew and the score was 5-12, which caused a bit of head scratching as the forwards had dominated the possession and territory. George Anderson had once again thrown in well at the line outs to punish anything which went into touch.
The second half began with Newbury again dropping the kick off and Alex Britton was injured in trying to tidy up the mistake. He was down for some time before having to leave the field and a major reshuffle was needed. Jordan was also carrying an injury but had to return to the fray. Jason Bint became an emergency scrum half while Jordan moved to centre and as the game wore on it became a question of last man standing stays on.
Five minutes in Newbury were again turned over while on the attack, Bracknell quickly spread it wide and the winger stormed though a weak tackle, shot down the wing and scored under the posts. The try was converted to make it 5-19.
The rest of the match was played entirely in the Bracknell half but for all their territorial advantage Newbury could not make it count. Cool heads were needed but too many players were trying to win the game on their own and found themselves isolated when they were tackled. As a result the ball was turned over far too often and it was impossible to build any continuity to the attacks and create gaps.
To be fair, Louis Lyne showed some nice composed touches and there were some fine runs from James O’Connor, Josh Lawrence and George Bicknell but it always seemed to end with the ball going to ground and the Bracknell defence was impregnable. Even Big Will was unable to knock holes in the wall though it was impossible to fault his effort in defying an injury, though eventually even he was forced off.
With time running out, Jordan put Newbury back in the game with a superb run through a defence which was depleted by the flanker being down injured. Finn just missed the conversion and it was 10-19.
The game ended in a familiar pattern when a promising Newbury attack ended with the ball dropped and Bracknell survived.
This was a frustrating match, but fair play to Bracknell who defended like demons and showed that it is not how often you have the ball, but what you do with it that counts. Newbury are left to lick their (many) wounds and reflect on what might so nearly have been a title winning season.
21/3 U16 As celebrate Windsor win
March 22, 2010
U16 As celebrate outstanding team display and win over Windsor
Newbury U16 A 64 – Windsor U16 A 5
Last season, Newbury had gifted Windsor a draw at the death and was determined not to let Windsor and Maidenhead decide the top 3 league places between them this year. And the team certainly bounced back from the previous league fixture slump at Maidenhead by celebrating a thumping 64-5 victory over arch-rivals Windsor on Sunday with probably their best rugby – ever.
Both sides were missing players, and Windsor more-so, but this cannot detract from the quality of Newbury’s game, which showed maturity and real teamwork. What’s more, played as it was by both teams, fiercely but in sporting spirit and with exemplary behaviour, it was surely a model to follow.
The home side played beautiful rugby, controlling possession repeatedly with patience, momentum, support and multiple offloads before releasing wave after wave of confident onslaughts by the backs.
Newbury took the lead and added a second fairly early on but Windsor rallied and managed to stem the flow and steady the game before scoring what their spectators shouted was the start of their comeback.
And for a time mid way through the first half it did seem that Windsor might muscle their way back in, with a tense ten minute period in which the visitors stifled Newbury’s play and forced them to concede multiple penalties.
But this was the day that Newbury showed their real potential, when years of development in junior rugby and this season’s training all seemed, finally, to ‘click’.
Newbury notched a further 3 first half tries and added 5 more after the break – topped off by 7 conversions. With 10 tries, someone had to score them, but most were genuine ‘team tries’, simply finished off by the scorers. One of the tries was even dubbed “the best try I have ever seen in youth rugby” by the experienced society referee.
The whole squad should be very proud of the way they played and we hope the boys can carry forward the quality and execution to the remaining two league contests.
Other results would suggest that this match will decide second and third places in the end of season league-standings but should the remaining three fixtures all go perfectly in Newbury’s favour, it will have decided the top slot!
Apologies go to the players for the brevity of this report, which is due to the match reporter being so engrossed in the spectacle.
Tries: Alex Huntsman (3), Greg Heath (2), Jonny Courtney, Tom Simm, Ean Kershaw, Will Eversfield, Jak Rossiter
Conversions: Jonny Courtney (7)
Squad: Tim Blake, Alex Cima, Jonny Courtney, Will Eversfield, Harry Fisher, Will Frome, Sam Gutteridge, Greg Heath, Jack Hibberd, Ben Hicks, Alex Huntsman, Ean Kershaw, Tom Lauder, Joe Leadley, Jake Newton, Tom Nield, Jak Rossiter, George Read-Smith, Tom Simm, Tom Soanes, Jonathan Stancombe (capt)
14/03 Aldershot and Fleet U13 v Newbury U13B
March 15, 2010
Aldershot & Fleet U13s 0 - Newbury U13B 50
Congratulations to Newbury Bs for a terrific performance against Aldershot & Fleet. After the disappointment of a narrow defeat at Maidenhead last week, the Bs produced a supercharged team effort at Aldershot. Once again their game was built upon a powerful game from the forwards who refused to let the home side settle, but this was augmented by some fluent passing, exciting running and courageous tackling from the backs.
The whole B squad has developed as a unit this season and whereas in the past they have often been slow off the mark, in the past few weeks the team spirit has been strong from the the start. Once again Newbury began well and from Aldershot’s kick-off took the ball cleanly and ran forward into the opposition half. Within two minutes they had opened the scoring: Ciaran Ffrench took the tackle, Jason Bint rucked over, and Jordan Ruddock picked up the ball and ran through to score under the posts. Alex Gallo kicked a simple conversion to make the score 7-nil.
Five minutes later Newbury increased their lead. Aldershot were awarded a penalty which was kicked into touch just inside the halfway line. Jordan stole the ball at the line-out and passed out to scrum half Joe Peppiatt. Joe distributed the ball swiftly all the way down the line for George Bicknell to surge through and cross the line. Alex Gallo converted for 14-nil.
It is to Aldershot and Fleet’s credit that they continued to compete strongly – a number of their big forwards made powerful runs throughout the game, but they were kept at bay by Newbury’s confident defence. After ten minutes their Number 8 ran through and looked like scoring, but was stopped by a great cover tackle from Jordan.
A few minutes later Newbury scored again, having been awarded a line-out just inside the Aldershot 22. Hooker Liam Wright threw a short ball to Jason Bint at the front of the line. Jason took it cleanly and drove 10 metres before being tackled. Ciaran Ffrench picked up the ball at the ruck and drove on to leave Newbury a few metres short. However Jason was in support, took the ball again and ran over the line to make it 19-nil.
Newbury were now growing in confidence and pressed forward again. From a scrum on the Aldershot 10 metre line Joe Peppiatt produced a textbook box kick which tested the full back. Jason Bint ran through, pick up the ball and scored his second try under the posts. Alex Gallo slotted the conversion home for a 26-nil lead.
Two minutes before half-time Jordan scored his second try. The ball was passed out to him and, in a move Zinzan Brooke would have been proud of, Jordan kicked the ball into open space, chased through, picked up and ran to the line, making it 31-nil.
At the start of the second half Aldershot again showed spirit, and spent the first few minutes in the Newbury half. However, the Newbury defence held, particularly due to some strong tackles from Kellen Keene, one of which saw their Number 8 forced into touch after a threatening run down the right. Aldershot pressed forward again and in their best move of the game broke into the Newbury 22 and looked likely to score – however the ball was spilt and picked up by Ciaran Ffrench who proceded to run the whole length of the field to score. Alex Gallo converted for 38-nil lead.
Newbury were soon further ahead. From the kick-off the ball was picked up and driven forward. From a ruck the ball was passed out to George Bicknell who ran through to score under the posts. Again Alex Gallo converted and it was 45-nil.
Newbury’s final try was one of the best of the day. Newbury won a scrum on the Aldershot 22 – the ball was collected by Joe Peppiatt who spotted a gap on the blind side and burst through. He passed to Ciaran Ffrench who was in close support – Ciaran in turn offloaded to George Bicknell who went over to complete his hat-trick. At this point, with the score at 50-nil, the referee blew his whistle to bring the game to an early close.
Congratulations to the whole B squad for a fantastic team performance.
Tries: Jordan Ruddock (2), George Bicknell (3), Jason Bint (2), Ciaran Ffrench.
Conversions: Alex Gallo (5)
07/03 Maidenhead U13B v Newbury U13B
March 13, 2010
Maidenhead U13B 27 - Newbury U13B 24
In a tense and exciting game where the lead changed hands four times, Newbury B’s just failed to beat a competitive Maidenhead B team.
Newbury started the game strongly. Although penalised for offside at the kick-off and conceding a scrum, the powerful pack won the ball against the head, and George Bicknell was released to run at the Maidenhead defence.
However he was forced wide and into touch 15 metres from the tryline. From the lineout Maidenhead ran the ball upfield into the Newbury 22 but lost possession. The ball was cleared upfield, Newbury drove forward and Adam Foster ran in to score. George Bicknell converted for a 7-nil lead.
From the restart Maidenhead won the ball and probably should have scored.
In the first half their back line appeared to be better organised than Newbury and they created an overlap on the left side. However the Newbury defence regrouped and their winger was forced out of play. For the next few minutes the game was played solely in Newbury’s half, with Maidenhead continuing to pass the ball down the back line and slowly making ground downfield. Despite some sterling tackling the pressure eventually paid off and they scored their first try. The conversion hit the post, and the score was 7-5.
From the kick-off Newbury began to counter-attack and for some minutes
possession was shared between the teams. A great darting run from Alex Gallo almost split the Maidenhead defence, but Maidenhead won the ball and attacked again. They almost made it to the line, but knocked-on a couple of metres out. Newbury won the scrum and Alex Gallo kicked to clear. However Maidenhead won the lineout and ran through to score a second try. Again the conversion was missed, so they led 10-7.
Newbury responded immediately. James Lewis kicked off and the ball was gathered by Maidenhead who ran at Newbury. However the ball was lost and Ciaran Ffrench ran through to score under the posts. George Bicknell converted for a 14-10 half-time lead.
Newbury stretched their lead at the start of the second half. Number 8 Adam Foster peeled off the back of a scrum and ran at the Maidenhead defence.
The ball was finally received by Joseph Peppiatt whose great pass to James Lewis allowed him to cross the line. Unfortunately the conversion hit the post, but Newbury were 19-10 ahead.
Unfortunately Maidenhead were not in the mood to capitulate and then scored three tries without response. For the first a Maidenhead forward picked up the ball on the halfway line and somehow ran through a succession of tackles to score under the posts. A simple conversion made it 17-19. From the restart they continued to press forward and only the quality of Newbury’s defending kept them out. However they were eventually awarded a 5 metre scrum, won the ball and scored to take the score to 22-19. The conversion was missed and James Lewis took a quick kick at the restart, trying to catch Maidenhead unawares. Unfortunately the opponents were ready, gathered the ball and ran at Newbury, who for the most part were still making their way back to the halfway line. Maidenhead made the most of the uncertainty and ran through to score their fifth try, making it 27-19.
To their immense credit, with now only around five minutes left, the Newbury team continued to battle, and the game swung back in their favour.
Maidenhead were forced backwards. From a scrum Adam Foster again broke for the line and almost made it through, but the ball was knocked forward.
However Newbury won the next scrum and Ciaran Ffrench scored his second try.
With the score now 27-24 there were now only 90 seconds left. Newbury gathered the ball from the kick-off and drove forward for one last time.
Unfortunately despitre getting as far as Maidenhead’s 22, they eventually lost possession, Maidehead kicked the ball out of play and the referee blew for full time.
Once again the Bs had produced a great team performance and was unfortunate to lose. Alasdair Gravatt captained the team with confidence. Joseph Peppiatt had a very good game at scrum half, Jason Bint stood out at Flanker. However it is the all-round strength of the whole squad which is the greatest merit of the Bs this season.