Under 16’s

Shelford 22 Diss 10

Shelford found themselves minus a number of key midfield players today and had to quickly reshuffle their starting XV accordingly. Shelford started strongly and stamped their authority on the game early on with a mountain of territory and possession thanks to great work by the pack at the breakdown. Territory and possession however do not win you matches on its own as Shelford became frustrated with their own profligacy. Shelford went scoreless during the first quarter of the game as they squandered a number of gilt-edged opportunities, partly through unfamiliarity in the back line, occasionally the wrong option, but more often than not great defending by the Diss midfield. Shelford however stuck to their game plan and when an opportunity presented itself they took it through quick hands to feed Nick Webb joining from full back to finish off at pace, 5-0. Shelford’s midfield continued to stutter somewhat, and a lack of pace as well as depth presented the Diss fly-half with an interception pass which he took for a 60 metre run-in to tie the scores at 5-5, which was hardly a reflection on the game at that stage, but a valid lesson of how to take your opportunities when they come along. Shelford responded immediately by regaining the kick-off and the ball was moved to centre James Clare to finish at pace under the posts, converted by Cracknell for a 12-5 half-time lead.Diss started strongly in the second half with good possession, but stout Shelford defence at that stage kept the lead in tact. At this crucial time of the game, good defending was seen by full back Dan Burling as he cleaned up plenty of Diss kicks for him to return with interest. Shelford weathered the storm and moved the ball wide again and after a number of phases we saw Harri Beasley out skin the covering defence and extend our lead to a more comfortable and deserving 17-5 lead. Diss again responded well and moved the ball away from contact quickly to create an overlap to bring the score back to 17-10. Shelford kept their heads and when the opportunity came they switched the play from an attacking midfield scrum to attack blind, with Cracknell feeding Lewis Green with the opportunity to kill the game after drawing the covering defence. This was the last play of a very entertaining game for Shelford to run out deserved victors 22-10. 

Under 14’s

Shelford 66 Stevenage 7

Try scorers: Matt McCann (2), George Smith, Toby Hackett, Harry Hitchcock, Ollie Walker, James Knoop, Ivan Karsten, Ryan Brown, James Tilbury. Conversions: James Knoop (6), Ivan Karsten (2)

The stuttering pre-Christmas performances seem a distant memory as Shelford laid on a scintillating 10-try performance that was way too much for a hardworking Stevenage side. The tone was set from the kick-off. Stevenage were unable to field the restart safely and Shelford reclaimed the loose ball. It was swung swiftly out to the left wing to winger George Smith who raced over in the corner. Further scores swiftly followed. Fly half Toby Hackett ghosted through the defence for number 2. Scrum half Harry Hitchcock pounced on a loose ball from a messy scrum for the third. Tries 4 and 6, scored by winger Matt McCann and centre James Knoop were all about pace and elusive running. Flanker Ollie Walker gained reward for his tireless support play with try number 5. The trusty left boot of Knoop added five first half conversions to give a Shelford a half time lead of 40-0. Stevenage came out with renewed vigour in the second half and put Shelford under pressure, especially in the scrum. However Shelford withstood the pressure and broke out with deadly effect, leading to further tries for Matt McCann and Ivan Karsten. Finally Stevenage earned their reward for their wholehearted efforts with a try for their hard working pack. This was converted and Town were finally on the scoreboard. Shelford were not finished yet though. Hooker Ryan Brown snaffled a loose ball from a lineout to dive over for his first try for the club. Finally James Tilbury ignored a clear run-in at the corner to cut back inside to give the opposition fullback a chance to tackle him. Luckily James eluded him to touch down close to the posts. There were two second half conversions for Ivan Karsten and one for James Knoop (giving him 6 for the game and a personal tally of 17 points). Final score 66-7, and as impressive a display of handling and running as you are likely to see anywhere. 

Under 11’s

Shelford Peacocks 10 – 0 Colchester

Shelford had to play well from the start against a strong Colchester team. There wasn’t much between the teams for long periods of play, but Shelford made the most of their possession. It was a game for the forwards who drove hard throughout on a tight pitch, mid way through the first half the forward pressure was rewarded with a try for Tom Whitehead. In the second half following a similar run of play Tom Whitehead scored again by driving over the line with support from the other forwards. 

Bury St Edmunds A 0 – 10 Shelford Peacocks

Again Shelford needed to play from the start against a very strong Bury team. There was no score in the first half. From the start of the second half Shelford piled on the pressure which was rewarded when Tom Whitehead powered over the line to score our first try. Shelford pushed forward and won a scrum on the far side. The play was quickly played out to the backs and when for the first time this morning Miles Brown found some space to run, he darted over the line to score. 

Bury St Edmunds B 0 – 25 Shelford Peacocks

Another good performance from Shelford who took advantage of more space as the opposition tied. The forwards kept the pressure on which allowed the backs to run with the ball. Finn Karsten running with the ball scored the first of his tries after a good passing move by the backs. Finn’s second try followed quickly after the first in almost identical style. The forwards didn’t want to be left out and their pressure paid off when Tom Whitehead made another brave push over the line. Half time. Shelford pressed forward and Tom Parkes acted quickly with a try early in the second half following a period of Shelford play. Our last try came from man of the morning Tom Whitehead who again drove the forwards over the line to seal a convincing win.

Bury St Edmunds A 25 – 0 Shelford Tigers

A slow start by the Tigers who were 4 tries down at half time, however had a stronger second half by conceding only one try.

Bury St Edmunds B 10 – 0 Shelford Tigers

Stronger performance as the team started playing together and making the tackles count. Shelford conceded a try each half. A good overall performance by the Tigers.

Under 10’s

Shelford Tigers 35 Bury St Edmunds 0

Tries: - Joe Thompson 2; Jamie Coates 2; Harry Simpson 1; Tom French 1; Henry Breeze 1

Shelford Tigers romped home in a game that was much tougher than the score line shows, against a strong mixed squad from Bury St Edmunds. Jamie Coates scored his first double of the season along with Joe Thompson whose breaks from the scrum were outstanding. Harry Simpson, Tom French and Henry Breeze added tries each, to close out the game.

Shelford Sharks 10 Bury St Edmunds 35

Tries: - Harry Simpson 1; Findlay Thompson 1

Our Sharks side met a determined Bury St Edmunds mixed squad. Harry Simpson added to his try count and was joined by Findlay Thompson both showing excellent running and tackling skills. Bury St Edmunds closed this game out with both strong forward play combined with some excellent solo breaks by their backs.

Under 7’s

Shelford 20 Bury St Edmunds 25

Shelford 25 Bury St Edmunds 50

Shelford 25 Bury St Edmunds 25

Shelford 25 Wisbech 40

Despite a number of excellent individual performances, the Shelford U7s weren’t able to pull together as a team with three defeats and a draw in four matches.In the first game against Bury St Edmunds Shelford pushed the home team hard but just lost by 20-25, with tries from William Barnett, Joshua Speechley (2) and a penalty try.In the second game Shelford met a very strong and well organised Bury St Edmunds team, losing 25-50.  Brian O’Shea, with three tries, and Billy Manners, with two tries, contributed excellent individual performances.In the third game against Bury St Edmunds a more experienced Shelford team worked hard and came from behind to draw 25-25, with tries from Joshua Speechley (2), William Barnett, George Shannon and Oliver French.In the final match of the day Shelford again came out second best, this time to Wisbech, losing 25-40.  The Shelford scorers were Brian O’Shea, Billy Manners, Ben Hancock, Joshua Speechley and Oliver French.Today’s player of the day award went to Ben Hancock for a couple of strong performances and an elusive run resulting in a well-deserved try in the final game.