Under 17's

Shelford 0  Barking 36
 
This mud wrestling competition was a sight to behold. Despite many simulated training sessions at the local Cadbury's chocolate vats Shelford were no match for this Barking side brought up and nurtured on the low tide mud flats of the Thames estuary.  The visitors felt entirely at home on our token lakeside setting and so were able to dominate in the communal mud slinging engagements and belly sliding events. Although going down heavily Shelford emerged, at the final whistle, winners in the 'can't recognise my boy' stakes! so writes coach Ivor Brownbody.

Under 16's

Shelford 32 Newmarket 0 – Match Abandoned due to serious injury
 
A bad injury to Shelford centre Ben Anderson early in the second half saw the game ended at that stage to allow paramedics to tend to Ben’s injury. Ben unfortunately broke his ankle and also suffered ligament damage which will require an operation to correct. Ben will obviously be out of action for some considerable time and we wish him well on his road to recovery.
 
Of what rugby we saw in the first period in atrocious conditions the play was dominated by Shelford in both territory and possession, but unlike recent weeks they converted this into a series of well-worked tries through a variety of kicks ahead as well as working the ball through some slick hands, which given today’s conditions was no mean feat.
 
Shelford also pressurised the Newmarket defence when in possession to win a number of turnover balls deep into the Newmarket half. This resulted in the first score as quick recycled ball by the forwards gave the backs space to open the scoring for Ben Anderson to get on the scoreboard, 5-0. Shelford continued to apply the pressure and again moved the ball well away from contact into space for Sam Perry to crash over in the corner, 10-0.
 
Our hard-working pack (with Michael Schumann-Pratt and Cormac Starling particularly prominent) gained another turnover which was kicked ahead. Good pressure by captain Sam Porter on the Newmarket full back saw Sam hack the ball over the try line for him to dive on the ball for a 15-0 lead. A storming performance from winger Harri Beasley saw his endeavours come to fruition as he was on the end of some slick passing to finish off at pace, 20-0.
 
Newmarket responded with their best period of the game, but a lack of support from a break through by Newmarket saw Louis Rawlings on hand to secure the ball as Newmarket were penalised for not releasing the ball. While everyone assumed a kick for touch was about to be taken, Lewis Cracknell quickly shipped the ball into space to find a miss-match in front of them, as the outstanding James Clare drew the last defender to give Lewis Green a clear run-in to score under the posts, converted by Lewis Cracknell who was controlling things well at fly half for 27-0 lead.
 
The final play of the half saw Lewis Green’s pace worry the Newmarket defence and run clear from deep to finish the first half scoring at 32-0.
 
With the second half only a few minutes old, Ben Anderson’s injury finished affairs early. With Newmarket having the benefit of the slope and elements in the second period, we will never know if they would have managed to make in-roads into Shelford’s healthy lead.
 
On a happier note, it was great to welcome back Connor Denton into the team after a 4 ½ month absence through injury.
 
Get well soon Ben!!