Venue Bishop’s Stortford RFC, Sunday 13 March 2005
Given
the incentive of matching last season’s unbeaten record, the Herts lads chose
to rise to the challenge in formidable style maintaining their 15-man,
“total-rugby” style of play, whilst also maintaining our Herts U15 unbeaten
record over the past 2 seasons.
With
one player ill, one injured, one late notice no-show, and a focus on the
upcoming 10 a-side season, our 20-player squad was confronted by 36 Easter
Counties players for this last 15 a-side match of the season. Counties played
the same 15 players for the first half and slotted the remaining 21 fresh
players in for the second half
Loose
head prop, Paul Brown was named as “Player of the Match” by the visitors due to
his aggressive running in open play, his strength in the tight, and his
distribution. Will Fraser, flanker, was a close second with his perpetual
motion in attack and solid defence. Fraser was well rewarded for his work-rate
by finishing off a try created by a forwards’ surge into the opposition’s 22.
Miles Dempsey, flanker, made powerful runs into Counties defence, often
breaking through multiple tackles. Dempsey was also rewarded for his hard work
with a try after a determined run to the line.
Michael
Bailey, scrum half, fed the ball quickly and accurately, both to the left and
right. Zak Vinnicombe, fly half, varied his distribution between quick passing,
sidestepping and inside passing to supporting flankers.
Jack
Knowles, centre, showed more of his amazing side-stepping with his
well-finished off try, and Ian Harrowell, also centre, once more showed his
electric pace and finishing whilst scoring two tries.
Vinnicombe
kicked 3 conversions and Andrew Jon kicked 2. One was a great kick 5 metres
from the side line.
Reserves
Brouder (prop), Young (prop), Simpson (scrum half), Andrew John (fly half,
center) and Elwwod (hooker) were all given the opportunity to show their
skills, and came on in the second half.
Our
thanks go to young Rob Walker for stepping in as an admirable replacement for a
referee. He did a splendid job despite a dodgy ankle and lack of oxygen!
Additional comment:-
To
illustrate our open style of play, this season has seen tries scored by 5
different backs and 3 different forwards (including 1 by a prop and 1 by a 2nd
row).
2003/04
15 a-side First XV season:- Played 4, Won 4. 114 points for, 27 against
2004/05
15 a-side First XV season:- Played 4, Won 4. 138 points for, 37 against.
So,
over the past 2 seasons,
Played 8, Won 8. 252 points for 64 against…a ration of 4 tries scored for
every one against.
Well
done the Herts U15 Coaches (Mick Carey, Matt Reed, Rob Walker, Rich Candlin and
Rico Van Wyk) and other Hitchin
Academy Coaches for progressing the Players at this elite level.
Thank you, too, to all Club and School Coaches for providing us with the material to work with and for providing your players with the opportunity to play at this higher level. Remember, it is a stepping-stone, for those Players who accept the challenge, towards London and South East Divisional rugby and full England honours next season as Under 16s.
Lastly,
thank you to the Players who have progressed beyond our initial expectations.
We
now approach this season’s 10 a-side campaign with selective 10 a-side
training, provided initially by Mike Hynard, Saracens Academy, at Hertford on
Wednesday 30 March and Friday 1 April, both 1 to 3 pm at Hertford RFC.
This will lead us into selection for the Eastern Counties 10s at Culford School on Sunday 10 April, before finally reducing to 16, plus 4 "non-travelling reserves", for the flagship, National U15 10 a-side competition at Rugby School from Saturday 30 April to Monday 2 May 2005.
Tony Rea,
Herts
U15 Manager 2003/4, 2004/5
01371
873175
0773
239 709
tonyrea@tonyrea.freeserve.co.uk