Match Report
Staffordshire U17s 12 – 49 Lancashire U17 Development Squad
Sunday 1st May at Stoke RUFC
On the completion of the Lancashire U17s short programme of fixtures, the team finally confirmed the promise that they had, to date, only shown in the first half of their first fixture against Yorkshire, by comprehensively beating Staffordshire on a gloomy windy afternoon in the Potteries.
The match was played on the 1000th Birthday of the foundation of the County of Staffordshire and, to commemorate that historic event, Captain Sam Stott introduced his team to the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, the Vice-President of Staffordshire RFU, the Chairman of Stoke RUFC and Tommy Hughes, Chairman of Lancashire U18s.
As befits the nature of U17 Development games, the Staffordshire squad was playing together for the first time and the opening 20 minutes were an arm wrestle, as both teams grappled for control of the ball.
After a period of Lancashire pressure, Staffordshire cleared from their 22 but straight into the safe arms of impressive full back Rhys Llewellyn, who, in the first of a number of breaks, ran the ball back well and after good Lancashire support play, the outstanding Joe Hunt opened the Lancashire account. Henry Pearson scored the first of five conversions by him and, when added to the two from the equally composed replacement Ciaran Johnson, the two fly-halves scored 7 conversions out of 7, an impressive feat
A few moments later Staffordshire knocked-on, close to their line, and from the ensuing 5 metre scrum, prop Tom Shorrock blasted over from 2 metres to extend the lead.
The Lancashire back-three of Llewellyn, Bolton and Rawlinson enjoyed a fine afternoon, consistently making good yards and always looking threatening. The third try by Bolton capped a fine display by the winger, in this case running the ball back from near to halfway and scoring under the posts
Just moments before half-time, an attempted clearance by Staffordshire from within their 22 actually caught a gust of wind, meaning that the ball had to be touched down within their own in-goal area. From the resulting scrum on the five metre line, Sam Stott capped an excellent display to ensure that the visitors went into half time leading 28-0.
Both teams made a number of changes at half-time and sometimes this can interrupt momentum. However, all the Lancashire subs fitted seamlessly into the team pattern and despite Staffordshire regaining some pride with an early score, Bolton scored again to extend the lead to 35-7.
The final Lancashire try exemplified everything that was good in the performance. Matthew Bargh capped an excellent personal display with a try after great work from backs and forward, including sublime hands from Ciaran Johnson. Johnson then executed a magnificent conversion from close to the touchline to complete the 100% kicking record.
There is an old rugby adage that the forwards win the game and the backs determine by how many. In an all-star team performance, it would be unfair to nominate one individual for honours. Coaches Dan Orwin and John Young have continually emphasised that it is only by keeping faith with team shape and team patterns that players will excel, and this display indicated that the players are beginning to take note. The fact that all the backs were given the chance to shine was because all the players who played in the front row set a great platform. Jay Bairstow showed great promise in the line-out and was a continual disruptive threat at the Staffordshire line-out. The two Jacks, McCutcheon and Woodward led the back row and were a constant threat, with or without the ball. Both scrum halves and both 10s led the backs intelligently.
Special mention to debutants Will French and Ewan Naylor, who only joined the squad on Sunday morning and immediately displayed their cases for inclusion in the U18s squad for the autumn divisional selection games
With some players missing the game due to Cup Final club commitments, and others to return after injury, the U18s selectors will be have some difficult decisions to make in September. However, whilst the team finished the U17s campaign on a high, there is still room for improvement and the feedback session on Monday 9th May at Blackburn will enable the coaches to articulate to each player where enhancements can be made.
For the moment though, a display to remember!
Trys: Rawlinson, Shorrock, Stott, Bolton (2), Gallagher, Bargh
Conversions: Pearson (5), Ciaran Johnson (2)
Team:
1 Alex Lewis-Booth
Kirkham Grammar School & Stockport RUFC
2 Connor Johnson
Myerscough College & Blackburn RUFC
3 Tom Shorrock
Merchant Taylors, Crosby & Waterloo RUFC
4 Jay Bairstow
Blackpool Sixth Form College & Fylde RUFC
5 Joe Hunt (vc)
Myerscough College
6 Jack Woodward
Ashton 6th Form College & Ashton under Lyne RUFC
7 Jack McCutcheon
Myerscough College
8 Morgan Sword
Ermysted’s Grammar School & Preston Grasshoppers RUFC
9 Alex Leadbetter
Winstanley College & Leigh RUFC
10 Henry Pearson
Kirkham Grammar School & Fylde RUFC
11 Callum Bolton
Myerscough College & Ashton under Lyne RUFC
12 Sam Stott (capt)
Lancaster Royal Grammar School & Vale of Lune RUFC
13 Matthew Bargh
Lancaster Royal Grammar School
14 Josh Rawlinson
Merchant Taylors, Crosby & Preston Grasshoppers RUFC
15 Rhys Llewellyn
Myerscough College & Blackburn RUFC
Bench
16 Declan Norrington
Preston Grasshoppers RUFC
17 Will French
Myerscough College & Bolton RUFC
18 Lewis Ellison
AKS Lytham
19 Ewan Naylor
Kirkham Grammar School & & Preston Grasshoppers RUFC
20 George Lilleywhite
Bolton School & Bolton RUFC
21 Matthew Gallagher
Kirkham Grammar School & Sale FC
22 Alex Meredith
Audenshaw School & Ashton under Lyne RUFC
23 Ciaran Johnson
Blackpool Sixth Form College & Fylde RUFC