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Under 16's Bury St Edmunds 12 Shelford 20
A hot and sunny day greeted Shelford Under 16's on their arrival at Bury St Edmunds. A tremendous first twenty minutes showed BSE how hard they would have to work. The only time that BSE had the ball seemed to be at the set piece after Shelford errors which were few and far between. BSE defended well but the heat began to tell. Two well worked tries which went through all parts of the team in several phases went to Toby Poirer and Louis Rawlings. When the BSE defence stood off James Clare, his pace picked the gap and he ran in from 30m. The game shifted between the two teams a few times during the middle 25 minutes but Shelford always looked in control, apart from two occasions when the larger of the BSE team used powerful drives to cross the line from close range.
A good day to play rugby and a good performance. Next season teams will defend better so we need to play smarter with more creation within the present structure. This means more thought toward the dummy runner and blockers on the pass (heads ball) to create. Under 14's - West Norfolk Sevens Tournament Group stages: v Belper W 46-0 Try scorers: Rory Hutchinson (3), Ollie Walker (2), Harry Hitchcock (2), Tom Sherrington Scales; Conversions: Hitchcock, Hutchinson, Sherrington-Scales v Wymondham W 33-19 Try scorers: George Smith (2), Oscar Giles, Ollie Walker, Sam Jones; Conversions: James Knoop (2), Hutchinson, Smithv North Walsham W 44-0; Tries: Hutchinson (3), Sherrington-Scales (3), Knoop, Walker, Conversions: Hutchinson (2) Semi final: v West Norfolk W 36-7Tries: Giles (2), Smith (2), Jones, Sherrington-Scales; Conversions: Smith, Knoop, Sherrington-Scales Final v Oundle W 47-10Tries: Jones (2), Smith, Hitchcock, Knoop, Sherrington-Scales, Hutchinson; Conversions: Knoop (5), Hutchinson Shelford were successful in their first visit to the West Norfolk Sevens, coming away with the trophy after an excellent display of sevens rugby underneath sunkissed Norfolk skies. In the group stages only Wymondham proved a challenge with the game in the balance until the final moments before George Smith grabbed the critical winning score. Earlier touring team Belper, their fancy dress frankly more impressive than their sevens, had been swept aside. 46-0. In the final group game Shelford hit the heights to score eight tries against North Walsham including hattricks for speedy debutant winger Tom Sherrington Scales and centre Rory Hutchinson, full of outrageous tricks and elastic agility.Shelford had now established a pattern - run up an early lead then keep the ball to deny the opposition scoring opportunities. West Norfolk were thoroughly frustrated as for one period in the second half Shelford kept the ball for four minutes. Two tries each for powerful prop Oscar Giles and hooker George Smith, showing an instinctive enthusiasm for the short form of the game, were the key to a 36-7 win.The final was against Oundle, who had just won an epic semifinal with 6 men after an outrageous 14 man brawl had led to the Oundle winger seeing red. Could Oundle lift their game again against the confident Shelford side?The game was tightly contested in the early stages with Shelford just having the edge with a two try cushion at half time. However in the second half their semi final efforts began to tell on Oundle and Shelford ran away with it. In total there were 7 tries scored by six different players and Shelford won 47-10.The trophy was richly deserved - as the boys said after the tournament, Shelford were the only team playing sevens. There are no points to be gained for bashing it up the middle in this game. Shelford played with intelligence and skill - a pleasure to watch. Under 11’s The postponed County Cup was finally played at Ely on a warm sunny day. Shelford’s mixed performances didn’t see them make it past the group stage and probably wasn’t a fitting end to finish the season after many fine performances. As this is the last report of the season I would like to thank all the boys who have played well throughout, you have done the club and yourselves proud. Also an enormous thank you to all the coaches who have worked hard with the boys this season. Shelford 15 – 0 Ely Try Scorers: Toby Herbert, Ben Frisk and Bradley Goss Good solid start for Shelford with a win in our first pool game, our first try came from Toby who deserved it after driving hard over the line. Our second try came from Ben who took advantage of space early in the second half to make it over the try line. Our last came from another forward, Bradley, who made our pressure count and seal the win. Shelford 10 – 10 Cambridge Try Scorer: Ben Frisk & Tom Cropper It was a close and often nervous match, Shelford and Cambridge slugged out another draw. Cambridge scored first but Shelford responded after Ben took an interception to run 30 yards and show a clean pair of heels to the Cambridge defence. One try a piece at half time. Shelford took the early initiative and were rewarded with a try. Stan drove over the line following a period of Shelford pressure. It looked as though we were going to win but Cambridge finally broke our defence with the very last play of the game to roll the ball over the try line. Shelford 0 – 5 Huntingdon Shelford knew they needed at least a draw against the Stag’s to qualify for the Semi Final if we followed form and we knew we would go onto to beat Newmarket. While Shelford had long periods of pressure the Stags defended well and deserved the win in the end. Shelford 30 – 0 Newmarket Try Scorers: Stan Clark 2, Tom Parkes 2, Ollie Parkes 1 & Tom Cropper Shelford did follow form in this game and run over 6 tries against a spirited Newmarket team. Our first came from Stan who performed well all morning, the second from Tom Parkes who scored one of the tries of Shelford’s season with a near full length pitch run where evaded the Newmarket defence many with twists and turns. Our third was a much simpler affair after Tom Parkes who took a pass from Tom Cropper (gasps of amazement from the crowd) to score in the corner. Stan scored the fourth following a period of pressure and a twist to score. Ollie Parkes won’t let his brother take all the glory to score the fifth. Our last came from Tom Cropper, who did deserve a reward after a good mornings play. Well done all. Under 10's - Cambridge County Cup Winners: Total try count over whole tournament 16 (80 – 0)
Well the wait was finally over on a beautiful sunny day in Ely. The third of this year’s tournaments that we had entered and one that the boys wanted to win more than the rest. Fielding two teams meant that the personnel was stretched to cover the games that often coincided, but the boys switched seamlessly between the two sides and did so with a happy heart.
Game 1:Shelford A v Newmarket 10-0
For the first game in the tournament we had what would have been the bookies favourite for the final meeting. The tournament had changed slightly from the initial team pools that were originally circulated a few months ago with Shelford unluckily coming up against Stade de France, Wasps and Northampton in their newly allotted group. ;-)
First up were Newmarket, ancient foes and always a good team. From the off we had to work hard to subdue them as they knew how important this fixture could be psychologically. The backs worked brilliantly from the start, again putting the crunching tackles in that have become the Shelford hallmark from Harry Simpson, Tom French, Sam Hurd, Angus Thompson and Will Stepney making sure that no ground was given The forwards of Josh Butler, Henry Breeze and Joe Thompson started to work their magic and gained ground yard by yard. A well controlled maul saw Henry Breeze break out and drove up-field before releasing to Harry Simpson to score the first try. To finally settle the nerves a second try was scored by Will Stepney after his quick thinking following a Newmarket forward pass and dropped ball over their own try line. Will was first to react and the ball was grounded. This was a really hard and fast game and a brutal introduction to the whole tournament. Sensational play from both forwards and backs.
Game 2: Shelford A v Huntingdon 15 – 0
Huntingdon had improved greatly from our first meeting earlier in the season, and with Shelford still wiping the sleep from their eyes we had a relatively close encounter with Shelford running out 3 tries to 0 winners. A move that we thought had ground to a halt was re-ignited by a great run by Angus Thomson, The ball was driven forwards by the pack and was eventually smuggled to Sam Hurd who bustled over the line for the first try. Our second followed more excellent passing down the line with the whole team moving the ball really well, culminating in Joe Thompson popping the ball to Harry Simpson to put the ball to bed over the line.
In the second half Will Stepney was unlucky to have a try disallowed after a ball was grounded over the line but was deemed to be held up . Coming straight back onto the attack, the Shelford backs and forwards were now creating good all round attack and defence. Eventually as a result of good passing play , Will Stepney supplied an inside pass to Sam Hurd to score his second of the match.
Game 3: Shelford A v Cambridge 15 – 0
The auld enemy again but it didn’t take long for Shelford, who had started to get into their stride, to continue to build on their confidence and camaraderie. The forwards drove powerfully with some quick interpassing allowing Henry Breeze to drive over for the opening score. Joe Thomson was next to the score line after taking advantage of a quick penalty to plough over the Cambridge line. We were treated to a true wingers try next. Steadfast defence by Shelford was turned quickly into attack once again. The ball was fed accurately along the line through hands until Sam Hurd released Will Stepney to make a fantastic run down the line to ground the ball and make the tie safe. Tom French was also unlucky after a great jinking run to drop the ball after crossing the line. The score could have been greater still had the forwards massive push over the line been judged to have grounded the ball and not had it held up.
Semi final: Shelford A v Saffron Walden 20 – 0
After making the semi final the boys maintained concentration even after having to put up with an hours wait. Unfortunately one of the Walden players thought it was a good idea to take the Michael out of our team talk …the team stared across at him as one and the deal was done...even I groaned inwardly for him! With a lesson to teach, the boys were out of the blocks quickly and Harry Simpson had an initial grounding of the ball disallowed. No matter, we went straight back over the line using the continued pressure to make sure this time, that Harry Simpson touched down. The second try was a lovely looping back move with Angus Thomson, Tom French and Sam Hurd passing to Harry Simpson who looped with Will Stepney before passing to Henry Breeze to power over the line. From deep inside Saffron Walden territory there was a massive scrum with the ball popping out to Jamie Coates who’s quick thinking saw the gap in the defence ahead and ran in for a well deserved try. 4th try Sam Hurd’s try was the result of forward dominance and great driving of the ball which then moved along the back line from Jamie Coates to Tom French to Will Stepney and finally to Sam Hurd for him to go over the line.
Final: Shelford A v Newmarket 20 -0
The boys had endured long waits and now had to deal with a change of venue. However a much bigger pitch with twice the space played into our hands allowing solid defence, grinding forward play and fleet footedness in the backs to come to the fore.
1st try Harry Simpson….result of great play from their own line….tackle after defensive tackle stopped pressure from Newmarket and from a series of tight passing and ruck setups there was a big maul near the Newmarket try line and Henry Breeze was able to find Harry Simpson to place the ball over the line. 2nd try Sam Hurd …….following a beautifully worked line out the ball was passed down the line from Tom French to Harry Simpson to Sam Hurd who jinked through to find the line.3rd try with tails up the forwards were in their pomp and after rolling mauls down the right flank Nick Budenberg fed Henry Breeze who needed no second invitation to bulldoze his way over the line. 4th Harry Simpson…how apt that our captain and talisman got the final try , great scrum won by our forwards , quick pass from Jamie Coates to Harry Simpson who jinked through the opposition to score the final try of the tournament and bring the county cup to its rightful home.
The boys today have once again grown again in stature and the whole team spirit is becoming incredible. From the sidelines I overheard the other teams coaches constantly marvelling at the powerful tackling and intelligent play of the team as a whole.
I actually felt sorry for some of the opposition today as there was an unstoppable feeling about the squad and our march to victory . The roar from the team and supporters alike at the final whistle told you everything you needed to know about the feelings involved in the day.I am finding it hard to put into words how very proud we should all be of what the squad has achieved this year, three great tournament victories and a bunch of boys that have gelled into an awesome rugby unit. Well done to you all. Steve Breeze
Development Squad
Our developing team had a very tough mornings rugby with a number of boys not turning up on the day leaving the squad short of three players. Thankfully Ely helped us out in two games and our senior players supported us in the rest. Nevertheless playing many boys out of position led to a tough few fixtures.
Shelford B v Cambridge 0 – 5
Cambridge fielded a team filled with quick and large players that proved too difficult to contain. Despite this solid forward play from Harvey, Daniel and a loaned Ely player kept them at bay. We got the chance of some good runs through intelligent play by Julian Renwick, supported by Jamie Johnson whose game was excellent throughout the tournament. Joshua Whitmore put in some resounding tackles before receiving a bad knock. All in all a solid performance with Max Murphy linking into the forwards from wing position as and when required.
Shelford B v Ely 0 – 20
This was a very tough game as Ely had a full squad and were playing excellent rugby. Some of the senior boys came across to help out and the rucks and mauls proved ferocious with Nicholas Budenburg adding some extra power up front. Angus Thomson and Jamie Coates both played their part in holding the fort. As to did many of the regular squad with Daniel Hoole continuing his excellent forward play with Harvey Redfern often in close support. M Our running game was excellent but finally the few missed tackles allowed Ely to jink through for a number of tries.
Shelford B v Saffron Walden 0 – 5
Back to back games with Ely players making up numbers, was never going to be ideal. Nevertheless a great effort to hold a team playing great rugby to a tight score line. Harvey Redfern was very unlucky not to be driven over the line on at least three occasions. The support play from the boys and was excellent running through Jamie Johnson, Julian and Max Murphy almost resulted in a try. Further breakouts by Joshua Whitmore were steam rolled into tough by some solid Saffron Waldon tackling. Despite this our boys deserved to have levelled this one and will a full team would have won the fixture.
A great effort from the boys, that we should all be proud of. Having been stuck in Zurich on Friday, the car hire, bus, ferry etc trip back to the UK was worth every penny for me. What a great tournament and result for Shelford RFC U 10 squad. Bruce McKenzie Under 9's The U9's attended the County Cup at Cambridge on Sunday, we entered two teams of equal strength.
Pool 1: Shelford v Ely
Both teams were equally matched but Ely sneaked a last second try to win the game 15-10
Pool 1: Shelford v Wisbech
Again both teams were equally matched and again wisbech managed to get a try in the last second to win the game 25-20Pool 2: Shelford v St Neots
St Neots winning 10 - 5
Pool 2: Shelford v Cambridge
A well played game by the boys unfortunately Cambridge managed to win the game 5-0
Pool 2: Shelford v St Ives
Again, another well played game but managed to come away with a draw 10-10 Under 8's Shelford A
Pool 3
Win 40-25 vs. Ely A
Win 25-15 vs. Wisbech
Semi Final
Win vs. Cambridge A 45-25
Final
Draw vs. Shelford B 25-25
Shelford B
Pool 4
Win vs. Peterborough 35-25
Win vs. Cambridge B 35-10
Semi Final
Win vs. Huntingdon 30-25
Final
Draw vs. Shelford A 25-25
An absolutely fantastic performance by both squads and the right result in the end. Shelford saved their best for the final tournament of the season and came away with the county cup. Beating all comers everyone put in a huge amount of effort. Our strength was our defence and with every side finding it difficult to score against us, we were always favourites to win each match. The games got harder as the tournament progressed but we seemed to raise our standards each time. It is impossible to pick out any individuals as everyone not only played their part but also put in their best performance of the season, so well done to all the players and see you on Sunday.
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