(As team managers send in match details, their reports can be read here.)

Shelford 0 Northampton Old Scouts 29

Shelford’s ever growing injury list finally caught up with them as they struggled to contain strong opposition in the form of Northampton Old Scouts. With as many as twelve squad members missing either through injury, illness or absenteeism, Shelford struggled from the off to get any real continuity into their game. Shelford started slowly and lacked any real rhythm or cutting edge in attack and gifted too much turnover ball to Old Scouts in the process. Old Scouts started to visibly grow in confidence and only scrambled Shelford defence kept the game scoreless for a good 25 minutes. Late in the half Old Scouts finally put a score on the board and we went in at half-time 5-0 down. Further injuries during the first period meant that the pack was reshuffled again, and resulted in more players playing in unfamiliar positions. However, there is no excuse for poor tackling and it wasn’t long before Shelford found themselves 17-0 down. Shelford were playing for pride in the final quarter of the match and were unlucky not to get a couple of consolation tries, but good Old Scouts defence kept us out and they finished the game off with one final score for a convincing 29-0 victory. 

Shelford 14 – 7 Saffron Walden

Shelford got off to a good start on a wonderfully sunny morning. We had enough players for 2 teams so each 12 played one half each against Saffron Walden and Royston. This new approach helped all players get involved and have two strong teams. Our early pressure paid off when Bradley Goss scored his first try for the club by powering over the try line and scoring in the corner. I’m sure this will be the first of many for the club. Finn Karsten coolly made the conversion. Our second try came when Henry Glyden playing scrum half cleverly took advantage of the blind side to dive into the corner and score. Again Finn confidently stepped up to make the conversion. Saffron Walden pressed back at the beginning of the second half and were rewarded with a try and conversion. Shelford pulled themselves together, started to make some big tackles and produced better forward work. 

Shelford 14 – 0 Royston

Shelford performed very well against a strong Royston team. Our forwards excelled against a powerful Royston pack. The teams went in evens at half time with both teams slogging it out. The second half team ran out with their usual enthusiasm and just about made the re-start. However they played with passion, the forwards playing as a great unit. Shelford soaked up early pressure and Kieran Hatter kicked a long ball to move the game up field. Shelford drove on to push Royston back, Royston defence held for a while but finally broke when Garret Shannon picked up the ball 5 metres out and powered over the line to score. Kieran Hatter calmly stepped up to take the conversion. Shelford confidence grew with the backs getting into the game, Tom Whitehead & Ben Frisk making strong runs to create the space for John Harnwell to drive into the corner and score his first try of the season. Ryan Deamer made the conversion and sealed the win for Shelford. Garret’s forward play and try earned him man of the match.  

Under 10’s

Shelford Tigers 30 Saffron Walden 0

Wow, what a game from the start our boys turned on, speed, power, passing, rucking and excellent ball distribution. So much so that Saffron Walden were stunned by the amount of ball they failed to control - be it on their scrummage or in lose play; where our forwards and backs ripped posetion free in almost every contact. I have not seen a better display of complete rugby than that from our senior boys this year. There were many memorable moments with excellent moves between Tom; Will; Angus; Jamie J  and  Jamie C but in particular credit must go to the three boys up front (Henry, Josh and Joe ) their power play stopped Saffron Waldens game in all three phases - lineout; ruck and set scrum.Tries were scored by the following :Henry Breeze 2 ( on top of his game,  showing great power and many low drives making life very tough for ther opposition; Joe Thompson 1 ( excellent in the lose as well as close contact, great speed and vision for the game);Harry Simpson  2 ( the teams talisman, sees space and knows how to exploit it ); Angus Thompson 1 ( both Angus and Will were involved in a lot of linked moves that could have resulted in more tries ).

Shelford Tigers 45 Royston 0

Having been turned over by Royston so often over the years we did not know what to expect this time round. Coming off the back of an excellent game against Saffron Walden our boys were moving well with the ball in hand and throughout the team players were prepared to ruck over the ball and create space for the ball to be picked up and driven forward. It is fair to say that the boys are now starting to work for each other as they did towards the end of last season; players are now prepared to pass the ball ( without every parent shouting it out !). The passing and speed of movement with the ball was exceptional, the work rate of the boys upfront Henry, Josh and Joe was outstanding - intense with controlled aggression.The backs saw excellent movement from scrum half through to wing with no players being left out, so much so that Luke spent much of his time in the ruck being strongly supported by Will, Angus, Tom and others who wanted to see the team do well. A great game everyone playing well.Tries were scored by the following :Joe Thompson 2 (excellent driving with ball in hand and very difficult to stop; Tom French 1 ( involved in almost every move in the second half; a great effort ); Harry Simpson 3 ( Where do you start, his game improves week on week a great show of finding space and being at hand to pick up the lose ball when tries can be scored ). Luke Burnham 1 ( great work rate in both lose play and out wide - a well deserved try ); Jamie Coates 1 ( Jamie had a most memorable run from centre within a few yards of his try line to score out wide ); Jamie Johnson 1 ( great pace throughout and it was inevitable that he would find a gap - which he did with minutes to go, a great effort ). Just a comment for two boys who were involved in many. many, many moves Angus Thomson ball distribution was excellent and Josh Butler worked like a 'jack hammer' to rip the ball free of many mauls and was unfortunate not to claim a try towards the end of play.

Shelford Sharks 5 Royston 40

Several tries were conceded in busy opening 5 minutes, but as the game progressed our boys became stronger. We saw some aggressive running and mauling from Daniel Hoole, strongly supported by his fellow prop Max Murphy. The scrum strengthened throughout the game with Shelford winning several turn overs from the Royston scrum. Some handling errors in the backs resulted in the boys failing to make the progress they perhaps deserved, although Julian Renwick managed to cross the line. A brave effort form all the boys with some sound tackling by Josh Whitrmore.Tries were score by the following :Julian Renwick 1 ( excellent movement with the ball in hand ).

Shelford Sharks 5 Saffron Walden 20

A much improved performance with this game being closer than the score line suggested. The forwards continued their good work with Alistair showing Saffron  Walden how to hook. A shake up in the backs allowed for improved running with Max Benton , and Michael Simmons getting some excellent  ball. Josh Whitmore scored Shelfords only try. Joshua, Mathew and Connor all showed commitment despite their various injuries.Tries were score by the following :Josh Whitmore 1 ( building on his excellent play last week ). 

Under 8's

Shelford 150 Saffron Walden 135

Shelford 155 Royston 125

A fantastic turn out for Shelford under 8’s and some great performances by both teams. With the new rule of only 6 tags our players adapted well and after a slow start we really began to pick up the pace and show what a good squad we are. Our defence was outstanding and with the handling skill improving week by week, it won’t be long before we can really start to move the ball around and develop our game. Both Royston and Saffron Walden played some excellent rugby and we can learn a lot from the way they moved the ball before being tagged. Well done to everyone who played and we look forward to seeing you all next week. 

Under 7’s

Shelford A 20 Saffron Walden A 30

Shelford A 25 Saffron Walden A 30

Shelford A 25 Royston 20

Shelford B 15 Saffron Walden B 10

Shelford A played well in their opening match against a well organised Saffron Walden team but going down by 20 points to 30, with 2 tries from Joshua Speechley and one each for George Shannon and Harry Punshon.  In their second match against Saffron Walden the Shelford A team pushed the opponents close with a 25 to 30 points defeat, with 2 tries from Joe Davies and one each from Billy Manners, Ben Hancock, Joshua Speechley and Harry Punshon.  In the Shelford A team’s final match of the day they had a good win over Royston by 25 points to 20.  In the Shelford B team’s only match of the day they had a good win over the Saffron Walden B team by 15 points to 10, with two tries from player of the match Brian O’Shea.