(This page will be updated as reports are received from the different age groups' management)

Under 16’s (played Friday 11^th Sept)

Shelford 10 The Leys School 5

An epic game between two very contrasting styles of play, which Shelford deservedly came out on top despite Leys’ best efforts to snatch victory at the death. There were some shuddering tackles in midfield made by both teams, and it became obvious that this was no training game, but a full blooded encounter that both sides were keen to win. Despite some chances going begging, lady luck smiled as the ball bounced off Sam Perry’s knee over the try line for him to gratefully touch down. Then the backs clicked and full back Nick Webb hit the line at speed to take a mazy run through the Leys’ defence and double our lead to 10-0. The final 20 minutes was an epic battle, the first (and as it turned out the only) score of the period finally came for the Leys’ which came from their ‘pick & drive’ route, but their aggressive mauling technique tested Shelford’s mettle for the majority of the period. Shelford led 10-5 with a long 10 minutes ahead of them. It would have been easy for Shelford to resort to their starting XV at this point, but every member of the 28 man squad got at least 10-15 minutes on the pitch, and to a man stood up to this intense period of the game where they were constantly having to defend and harass their opponents, epitomised by James Clare at this stage, who seemed to be ‘stuck like glue’ to the major threat of the Leys’ Oliver Houghton.

Under 16’s

Harpenden 0 Shelford 21

Shelford had a tough away fixture against one of the top sides in Hertfordshire in the shape of Harpenden. Shelford played two 40 minute games against their A & B squads respectively, and after encountering an extremely tough and bruising fixture against The Leys School on Friday found themselves short of half of the starting pack from that game, including all of the back row members.

Harpenden A 0 Shelford 7:- Some superb cover tackling in the first half kept the game scoreless, most notably by Ben Anderson at outside centre and our ‘new’ no. 8 Connor Denton. One last ditch tackle by full back Nick Webb prevented what looked like a certain score for Harpenden. In the 2^nd half, Shelford also kept the pressure on Harpenden when the ball went through their hands, and it was this strong defence that ultimately won the game for Shelford as Alex Flynn intercepted to run in unopposed. Lewis Cracknell slotted a good conversion for a 7-0 win.  

Harpenden B 0 Shelford 14:- Shelford rang the changes to give every member of the squad a good run out, and again we saw a competitive game with both sides having chances to open up. Although 0-0 at half time, Shelford started to get the upper hand in the second period where a lovely interchange between Alex Flynn (now at fly half) and Louis Rawlings (now on the wing) saw Louis race through to score his first try for the club. George Teeboon (now at inside centre) slotted the extras for a 7-0 lead. Shelford kicked on from this as their confidence grew and another break from midfield by Shelford saw Lewis Green run clear to score under the posts, with the conversion again slotted by George Teeboon, 14-0. Harpenden finished strongly and were pushing hard for the score that their endeavours deserved, but again, stoic defence by Shelford, saw them keep their try line intact for 14-0 victory.

Under 14’s

Bishops Stortford A 0 Shelford A 46

Bishops Stortford B 7 Shelford B 55

The season began brightly for the Under 14s with a highly convincing victory over last season’s Herts Cup Finalists Bishops Stortford. There had been a few preseason changes in personnel. The totemic McMeikan had been lost to a life of academe, and we welcomed a number of new arrivals ranging from brash young novices to seasoned campaigners. The A team was made up of experienced players and Shelford soon picked up where they had left off last season, playing a quick rucking game at fast pace. Stortford matched Shelford and only some desperate defence kept Stortford at bay in the early stages. Eventually the stretching Stortford defence was breached by the pacy aggressive running of centre James Knoop who scored the first of his five tries. Sam Jones then went over in the corner, converting with a mighty boot from the touchline. A further score from the rampaging Knoop gave Shelford a comfortable 17-0 half time lead. In the second half Shelford's fitness began to tell as the gaps appeared out wide. Knoops helped himself to a second half hatrick. Winger George Smith got on the score sheet when Knoops actually gave him a pass - a real rarity. The forwards got their reward when flanker Ollie Walker dived on a kick charged down by hardworking second row Ben Bishop. Knoops kicked two further conversions. Stortford never gave up and played with great spirit throughout but ultimately Shelford ran out comfortable winners by 46 points to nil.

The strength in depth of the squad was amply demonstrated by a stunning first half performance from the B team which saw Shelford score seven tries in 20minutes. Toby Hackett's elusive running at centre gave him three tries. The Stortford defence could not handle the pace of winger Matthew McCann who scored two more. The indefatigable support play of Ollie Walker at full back brought two further first half tries. Two conversions each from Toby Hackett and Ivan Karsten made the half time score 43-0 to Shelford. Stortford came back strongly in the second period and scored a well-worked try to give some respectability to the scoreline. However the revival was snuffed out by further tries from Matt McCann and Roo George pushing Shelford past the half century. The game ended 55-7 to Shelford.