U16 Match Reports.htm

27th April 2008

North Midlands Plate Final

Shrewsbury v Moseley

Shrewsbury under 16's missed out by the narrowest of margins to lose 12-10 to Moseley in the final of the under 16's North Midlands Plate final. It was a fantastic game which was worthy of any final and the result could have gone either way.

Moseley had the early pressure and they took the lead with a penalty early in the first half. It took a further Moseley penalty, which gave them a 6-0 lead, to kick start Shrewsbury into their running game. Straight from the penalty restart Shrewsbury successfully rucked the ball and it went down the backs for inside centre Will Miller to dummy and break through to score which turned out to be, Shrewsbury's only try of the game. Jamie Houghton scored the conversion for Shrewsbury to take the lead 7-6.

It was fairly even for the rest of the first half with both teams playing good and exciting rugby, but Shrewsbury went in at half time with a slender 7-6 lead.

The second half started off the same as the first half had ended with neither team able to dominate the game. Shrewsbury gave away a penalty in front of the posts which Moseley was able to convert into 3 points to regain the lead 9-7. It was again very even for the next 15 minutes with both teams producing some great rugby but both defences stayed very firm and did not allow either side to cross their lines.

Shrewsbury's scrum half, Matt Bielby, then suffered a neck injury and had to be substituted. This did not weaken the team as Will Bryant came on as an able replacement.

Shrewsbury were then awarded a penalty about 35 meters out and up stepped Jamie Houghton who struck the ball brilliantly to gain the 3 points and enabled Shrewsbury to retake the lead again 10-9.

With about 5 minutes to go Shrewsbury gave away another penalty and Moseley retook the lead 12-10. Shrewsbury threw everything at Moseley for the final few minutes but were unable to convert possession into points and unfortunately lost 12-10.

Credit must be given to both teams who put on an exciting and entertaining game of rugby with the lead changing hands four times. None of the Shrewsbury players should be downhearted as they gave their all and the result could easily have been a victory for them as it was that close. A big thank you to all the travelling family and friends who gave the under 16's some very vocal support.

6th April 2008

NORTH MIDLANDS PLATE SEMI FINAL

SUNDAY 6th APRIL 2008

Shrewsbury under 16's progressed to the final of the North Midlands Plate competition with a dogged 25-5 victory at home.

Shrewsbury got off to their usual slow start and went 5-0 behind to a Ledbury try in the first few minutes. Ledbury's larger pack had the early dominance and were in the Shrewsbury half for the first 15 minutes but their defence held firm. Shrewsbury began to put their game together before full back Jamie Houghton pulled the score back to 3-5 with a penalty in front of Ledbury's posts.

Shrewsbury started to turn things around and from a scrum in their own half, the ball went down the backs to Jamie Houghton, who had joined from full back and then ran 65 meters, avoiding tackles from the Ledbury defence, to score a marvellous try under the posts. Jamie then converted his own try, for Shrewsbury to take lead for the first time 10-5. Shrewsbury continued to dominate possession and territory but failed to turn this into points and went in with a 10-5 half time lead.

Shrewsbury continued where they left off for the first 5 minutes of the second half and then their coaches made a couple of tactical substitutions. Prop Matt Shaw and hooker Alex Evans came on and made an immediate impact. Both were involved in the rucks and "pick and drive" moves that set up a try from a couple of meters for flanker Danny Williams. Ledbury's heavier pack were noticeably slower around the pitch which allowed Shrewsbury to keep up the pressure.

Shrewsbury then scored two tries in quick succession which effectively killed off the game for Ledbury. From a well planned and rehearsed line out, the backs made a lot of ground towards the Ledbury try line, and set up Danny Williams for his second try of the game with a charging run from 10 meters. Straight from the restart, inside centre Will Miller caught the ball and ran for 30 meters before offloading the ball to Jamie Houghton who drew his man before passing to outside centre Danny Pryce to cross the line in the corner to give Shrewsbury a 25-5 lead. Shrewsbury then made a number of substitutions to give everyone a game, and despite a late charge by Ledbury, their defence held firm and they protected their lead to win 25-5 to reach the final on April 27th against Moseley or Silhillians.

17th February 2008

NORTH MIDLANDS PLATE QUARTER FINAL

SUNDAY 24th FEBRUARY 2008

Shrewsbury under 16's progressed to the semi final of the North Midlands Plate competition with an unconvincing 19-3 victory at Bromsgrove.

Shrewsbury went 3-0 behind to a penalty in the first few minutes, and this was the only time Bromsgrove got into Shrewsbury's 22M area. Shrewsbury had territorial domination from then on, but time after time failed to convert this into a points advantage. Their only success of the first half was a well worked try with the forwards winning possession from a ruck and the ball went all the way down the backs to allow winger Tom Dickson to score a try in the corner to make the score 5-3.

Outside centre Danny Pryce thought he had scored in the same corner but was pulled back for a foot in touch. Shrewsbury then lost two key players in quick succession just before half time. Scrum half Matt Bielby with a back injury and captain Ben Speake with an ankle injury. Shrewsbury had to quickly rearrange the forwards with some players playing out of position.

Bromsgrove came out looking a different team in the second half and had the better of the first 15 minutes. They spoilt a lot of Shrewsbury's game plan and threatened to take the lead on a couple of occasions, but Shrewsbury's resilient defence prevented them from crossing their line.

It was a very scrappy game and not a free running spectacle for the spectators. Eventually Shrewsbury's dominance paid off and with about 10 minutes remaining, Shrewsbury were awarded a penalty on the Bromsgrove 5M line, and flanker and stand in captain Danny Williams barged over with the rest of the pack behind him to score Shrewsbury's second try. Full back Jamie Houghton scored a great conversion from almost on the sideline, to give them a 12-3 lead.

Shrewsbury then scored the try of the game with a well planned and rehearsed move where Tom Dickson comes in from the wing to collect the ball from the scrum. It was executed brilliantly and Tom scored with a charging run from outside Bromsgrove's 22M line and he handed off several players to score under the posts. Another Jamie Houghton conversion made it a 19-3 victory for Shrewsbury.

Shrewsbury will have to play better in the semi final if they want to progress to the final, but a win is a win - well done.

Photos from this match available on the photo gallery - here.

3rd February 2008

Shrewsbury under 16's continued their winning streak with an impressive 26-10 victory at Stourbridge, thanks to an immense rucking performance from the Shrewsbury pack.

Shrewsbury had the early territorial advantage due to the dominance of the forwards in open play with the pick and drive being executed at every opportunity which gained valuable meters, but they failed to convert this into points. Stourbridge open the scoring following poor tackling and poor protection of the fly half, which allowed them to score from a charged down kick within Shrewsbury's try area. After that it was a very even and highly competitive and despite Shrewsbury's pack dominating the rucks and mauls Shrewsbury conceded another try and Stourbridge went in with a 10-0 half time lead.

Shrewsbury had the wind behind them in the second half and used it to their advantage, frequently kicking to gain territory. Shrewsbury opened their account from a line out on Stourbridge's 5M line, when they could only tap the ball back and second row Sam Whittaker charged through on the lose ball to score. This was converted by full back Martin Jones. Stourbridge's restart didn't go 10M and from the resulting scrum, Tom Dickson broke through their defence, and when tackled was able to pass to supporting flanker Danny Williams who scored under the posts. Martin Jones converted to enable Shrewsbury to take the lead for the first time in the match 14-10.

Shrewsbury could have gone further ahead when a Toby Cowell try was disallowed for an earlier knock on. Shrewsbury kept up their pressure and took advantage of the wind when winger Danny Pryce kicked the ball forward and it was then a footrace for the line, and Danny just got downward pressure on the ball with his hand before the opposition to score Shrewsbury's third try.

The win was then sealed when centre Tom Dickson went on one of his charging runs to break through the defence and score with a theatrical dive under the posts. Martin Jones converted to give Shrewsbury an impressive and well deserved 26-10 victory.

The pack must take a lot of credit for the result as their dominance of the lose ball was fantastic and this allowed the backs to have the possession they wanted to keep the pressure on the Stourbridge defence. Again it was a great spectacle of rugby from both teams and played in good spirit.

27th January 2008

Shrewsbury under 16's came away from Five Ways with a hard fought, exciting, final kick of the game 20-19 victory, with the lead changing several times. It shows how far they have improved since Five Ways defeated Shrewsbury by over 50 points in the North Midlands Cup two years ago.

Shrewsbury were slow to start and went behind to an early penalty from heavy Five Ways pressure. Their pressure continued and it looked as if they were going to turn Shrewsbury over by quite a few points. But Shrewsbury showed their true character and fought back to take the lead. They were awarded a penalty just outside Five Ways 22M and the ball was given to Shrewsbury's No. 8, Michael Fleetwood, who weaved and danced through a week Five Ways defence to score under the posts. Jamie Houghton converted to give Shrewsbury a 7-3 lead.

After that it was a very even and highly competitive game before Shrewsbury conceded two quick tries and Five Ways went in with a 13-7 half time lead.

Shrewsbury were forced to make a couple of substitutions at half time due a sickness bug going through the squad. The first 10 minutes of the second half saw the teams evenly matched again, but Shrewsbury's exceptional all round team play eventually broke the deadlock with Alex Evans going over from 10M after picking up a loose ball from a ruck. Five Ways then converted a penalty before Shrewsbury retook the lead when their No. 8 Michael Fleetwood picked up the ball from the base of the scrum and passed to winger Benn Pryce to cross the line to give Shrewsbury a 17-16 lead.

The lead changed hands again when Five Ways converted another penalty with 5 minutes left. Shrewsbury threw everything at Five Ways and were unlucky not to be awarded a try, but the play was brought back as the player had ran into the referee. Shrewsbury were camped on the Five Ways goal line for the final couple of minutes and were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. Danny Pryce stepped up to take it and successfully converted it with the last kick of the game to give Shrewsbury a 20-19 victory. Credit must be given to both teams who put on an excellent game of rugby which was played in a great spirit.

20th January 2008

Shrewsbury under 16's progressed to the quarter finals of the North Midlands Plate competition with a hard fought 17-5 victory at Kidderminster.

The two sides were very evenly matched for the first quarter and then Shrewsbury lost their captain, Ben Speake, with a back injury. It stayed 0-0 until about 10 minutes to half time when Shrewsbury's pressure paid off when Kidderminster attempted to kick the ball clear from their in-goal area which was charged down and Alex Evans was on hand to touch down for Shrewsbury's first try. This was converted by Jamie Houghton. A few minutes later Jamie converted a penalty to give Shrewsbury a deserved 10-0 half time lead.

It was a similar story at the start of the second half with neither side adding to the score. With about 15 minutes to go, Shrewsbury's new captain, Danny Williams, rallied his team-mates and persistent pressure allowed Shrewsbury prop Toby Cowell to pick up a lose ball in Kidderminster's 22 meter area and charge through their defence from 20 meters out to cross the line for Shrewsbury's second try. This again was converted by Jamie Houghton and Shrewsbury led 17-0.

Shrewsbury seemed to go to sleep and allowed Kidderminster back in with a try. Kidderminster came at Shrewsbury again and again, but good solid defence from Shrewsbury ensured that they did not score again.

It was a good 17-5 victory on the road for Shrewsbury and both teams must be praised for putting on a good game of rugby. Shrewsbury now travel to Bromsgrove in the quarter final.

4th November 2007

Brave U16s unlucky to miss out after tight finish

Facing their second away trip in two rounds of the North Mids Cup, Shrewsbury’s Under-16s travelled to Sutton Coldfield on the back of good wins against Evesham and Moseley. This was the second cup meeting between the teams in as many seasons, with Shrewsbury overcoming the hosts last season. But while Shrewsbury’s effort and determination could not be faulted against a well-organised Sutton team, it was not to be their day in the West Midlands this time.

Straight from the kick-off Sutton Coldfield put pressure on the Shrewsbury line and were 7 – 0 up within five minutes. Shrewsbury showed great spirit and fought back but Sutton’s stout defence stood firm and there was no further score in the first period.

Shrewsbury carried on where they left off in the second half, piling on the pressure. But it was only after Sutton’s open-side flanker was sin-binned for killing the ball that Shrewsbury were able to capitalise, Tom Dixon picking up the ball in his own half and sprinting 70 metres to touch down. Jay Houghton converted to bring the scores level.

With only four minutes to go, it looked like the game was going to extra time when – against the run of play – Sutton were awarded a disputed second try. With decisions seemingly going against them all over the pitch, there was no time for a brave Shrewsbury team to come back again. Unfortunately, there was more bad news for Shrewsbury after the game with hooker Alex Evans being sidelined for a considerable amount of time following a double-break to his right shoulder.

21st October 2007

UNDER 16'S BEAT MOSELEY

The under 16's turned in an awesome display of teamwork, guts and determination to record a hard fought victory 34-31 away to Moseley. This is probably their best ever victory, over a very good Moseley side who are the current North Midlands Plate holders.

Shrewsbury's early pressure paid off with a penalty from Jamie Houghton and then a good supportive try from scrum half Matt Bielby after number 8 Michael Fleetwood broke from the scrum to give Shrewsbury a 10-0 early lead. They then suffered a couple of injuries to key players Toby Cowell and Matt Bielby and Moseley took advantage of this with a converted try.

Shrewsbury fought back with a good backs move and good rucking from the scrum near the Moseley line allowed replacement scrum half Will Bryant to cross the line from a couple of meters. This was converted and Shrewsbury went into half time with a deserved 17-7 lead.

Early in the second half Shrewsbury went to sleep and allowed Moseley to score again. They went straight back down the pitch and from a well executed catch and drive from the line out, it allowed the backs to pass the back quickly to the winger Tom Dickson who went through three tackles to go over for his first try. Moseley came back again with a converted try to bring the score to 22-19. Shrewsbury learnt from their previous try and passed the ball quickly down the backs again for Tom Dickson to score his second try under the posts. Shrewsbury then came under intense pressure and let Moseley score two more tries from silly penalties and they took the lead 29-31 with only 5 minutes left.

The under 16's true character came through and from a well planned move from the lineout, with the ball being thrown directly to the backs who made impressive ground for the pack to set up the ball for Jamie Houghton to cross the line for the winning try.

This was a more impressive feat than their 14 man cup victory over Evesham and a special mention must be made for rookie Ross McDermott who came on at prop for only his second game and was up against a North Midlands prop and turned in an excellent performance.

Tribute must be paid to both sides who put on an excellent game of rugby and kept the crowd fully entertained, but well done Shrewsbury!!

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3rd October 2007

U16's WIN IN THE CUP

The under 16's progressed to the next round of the cup with a convincing 40-5 victory over Evesham despite playing for two thirds of the game with only 14 players due to injury.

It was fairly even for the first 10 minutes and then Shrewsbury got into gear and the forwards started to dominate their areas of the game. A 30 meter run from Will Miller opened the scoring which was quickly followed by a more impressive solo run from half way by Tom Dickson which gave Shrewsbury a 14-0 lead. An opportunistic try from the base of the opponents side of the scrum a couple of meters from the line by scrum half Matt Bielby helped Shrewsbury to a 21-0 half time lead. Near the interval Tom Dickson sustained a bad nose injury which prevented him from carrying on and left Shrewsbury with 14 players as they had no substitutes.

It was a similar pattern to the second half, but Shrewsbury began to show their dominance with Alex Evans going over the line for a fine forwards try. Shrewsbury took their foot off the gas a little and let Evesham in with a consolation try before a typical number 8 try from Danny Williams and a try from an unstoppable run from 15 meters by prop Toby Cowell gave Shrewsbury a 40-5 victory.

This came on the back of a 39-3 victory last weekend over fierce local rivals Newport in what was billed at the "Battle of Shropshire."

Credit must be given to the whole team who gave 110 percent as they did play for a long time with 14 players, and the coaches could not have asked for any more from the team.