U17's tour to Jersey

Shelford 39 Jersey 12

Shelford U17's took on a Jersey side boasting a number of Hampshire players and defending a home record that stretches back 2 years. This was going to take a special performance from Shelford. The 17's picked this moment to produce their best rugby of the season to blow away the opposition with a first half performance of total rugby.

The first try came from a stolen ball by Iowan Thomas-Mathieson, the ball was rapidly moved across the backs to Lewis Green who powered home in the corner. Lewis Cracknell converts 7-0. Further pressure from the Shelford backs saw the Jersey players spill the ball, George Teeboon picked it up and powered towards the line only to be held up, Connor Denton was on hand with the pick and go to power over the whitewash. 12-0. Shelford attacked again, however we lost the lineout but the ball bounced loose for Sam Porter to snaffle the ball, once again the ball got spun wide quickly and Lewis Green made all the hard yards to unselfishly offload to Dan Burling who got the ball down in the corner 17-0.

Further attacking play from Shelford with Thomas-Mathieson making good ground in a rampaging run, the story now was getting very similar, ball across the backs, Callum Shaw punching through the gain line, offloading to Dan Burling who dotted in the corner. 22-0. Back came Shelford again this time Cormack Starling charged down a Jersey clearance, Sam Porter pounced on the loose ball and secured it, the move across the back line saw Dan Burling run an inside line on Lewis Green and take the ball at speed and clear of the Jersey defence to get down under the posts 27-0 at half time, if Jersey thought this was going to be easy they were now awake to what they were facing.

Half time saw the squad reshuffle and Jersey came out with more intent. The game went through a messy midfield period until the forwards broke through, first with Brokeback, then Sam Porter and finally Thomas-Mathieson who went over. Conversion by Lewis Cracknell. 34-0. Jersey then hit back with a very simple try though the centres, brushing off 3 tackles from the Shelford backs and dotting under the posts 34-7.

Shelford reacted with renewed energy and this saw the forwards attacking with a number of pick and drives around the ruck. In the 4th or 5th phase Connor Denton got over the line 39-7. A messy piece of defence saw Jersey pounce on a loose ball and drive over the line to complete the match with the final score 39-12.

Shelford 34 Guernsey 5

The 2nd tour match saw Shelford come up against a Guernsey colts side of  14 players. A Shelford player was lent for the game.

Guernsey started the stronger and poor covering tackles saw them score the first try after a series of strong rucks. Shelford took a while to get into their stride in the first period and only when they spun the ball wide to Toby Poirier did they see points on the board (2 Tries), with Cracknell scoring a cracking conversion. 12-5 at the end of the first period.

In the 2nd period Sam Porter at No.8 spun off the back of the scrum, spun wide across the backs to Harry Beasley who scored in the corner. Shelford then came back strongly and after a number of recycles on the 5m line, got a good ball to Louis Rawlings who scored. Converted by Cracknell. 24-5.

Fly half Callum Shaw found himself in space who worked the ball to winger Clare. A great hand off by the winger saw him cross the whitewash. 29-5 The final try of the game saw Alastair Kerslake cap an impressive performance by creating the space for Sam Porter to cross the line. 34-5

Jersey 8 Shelford 24

Shelford tries: Rew George, George Smith, Toby Hackett, Sam Jones. Conversions: Sam Collicott (2)

Shelford under 15's joined their counterparts from the first team and under 17's in the South Cambs invasion of Jersey this weekend. There were so many matches played at Jersey rugby club against a whole multiplicity of touring teams that it seemed every inhabitant of the island must have got some game time at some stage during the weekend. Somehow they managed to find a slot for us.

After cheering on the other Shelford teams on the Saturday our boys took on Jersey Under 15s on Sunday morning. The first team's heartbreaking last minute defeat acted as a powerful motivator and our boys were fully focussed as the opening whistle blew.

The teams were well matched - Jersey were big and powerful upfront and Shelford fought hard to compete. No 8 Oscar Giles was especially prominent, repeatedly carrying the ball and gaining ground, draining the strength from the opposition. The front row of Pratt, Brown and Stalker held their own in the scrum, and Brown's pinpoint throwing to second rows Jones and Calvey in the line out kept an ample supply of ball. Flanker Bishop tackled tirelessly.

The first score went to Shelford - a fine individual effort by winger Rew George. Collecting the ball just inside his own half, Rew beat his opposite number on the outside before handing off the full back to score under the posts. The second try came from an excellent handling move from the backs, well orchestrated by fly half Harry Hitchcock, which put left winger George Smith over in the corner.

The impressive kicking of the Jersey fly half was putting Shelford under pressure despite the scoreline. He slotted a penalty to give Jersey a lifeline and the half time score was 10-3 to Shelford.

Another mighty kick from the Jersey outside half early in the second half surprised the Shelford back three as it bounced behind them. Full back and winger could not deal with the loose ball and Jersey hacked the ball on. The hooker fell on the loose ball and Jersey had their first try on the board.

Shelford hit back immediately. Second row Sam Jones chased down the restart and hit his opposite number with a resounding thump. The loose ball bobbled clear, Shelford picked up and it was spread wide to outside centre Toby Hackett who scored in the corner. Flanker Sam Collicott, pressed into kicking duties, confidently slotted the touchline conversion to put Shelford 17-8 up.

Shelford continued to press. Prop Stalker ran through two potential tacklers - for the first time in his life, so he claimed afterwards, he saw the tryline. Overcome by the experience, he was tackled by the diminuitive scrum half. However the ball was recycled and picked up by second row Sam Jones. His sidestep and glide completely wrongfooted the Jersey defence who understandably were expecting something more Neanderthal. He then outpaced the cover to score under the posts. "Completely wasted as a donkey" Jones protested afterwards, although he was forced to back down when it was pointed out to him that if he were moved into the prima donnas in the backs we would have to get someone else to sledge the opposing pack at the line out. Collicott added the extra points.

Prompted by big hearted scrum half James Shelford continued to press. If Jersey broke through they we're wrapped up by the tackling of inspirational skipper Douglas. Eveyone played their part in a hard fought victory as it ended Jersey 8 Shelford 24.

Shelford squad: Pratt, Brown, Stalker, Jones, Calvey, Collicott, Bishop, Giles, James, Hitchcock, George, Douglas (captain), Hackett, Smith, Finlayson, Tilbury, Larlham, Walker
Waterboy: Low

Shelford U12 Tour to Cornwall

Shelford Under 12’s tour to the South West was a huge success as we played and won our 3 games against strong Cornwall teams. It was an outstanding team effort with many great performances from all the players. A huge thanks to the coaches who prepared, organised and encouraged the boys throughout and none of this would be possible without them. Also thanks to all the parents who supported the tour and a special mention for Bradley Goss who had to pull out at short notice.

Try Scorers: Tristan Touge, Ben Middleton, Kieran Hatter, Louis Neal x 3, Miles Brown, Tom Cropper, Ryan Deamer & Kieran Jones. Conversions: Finn Karsten x5

Following a mornings surfing Shelford started their tour with a resounding win over Perranporth by scoring 10 tries and 5 conversions. Straight from the start Tom Cropper made a strong run with an offload to Tristan Touge to score our first. The second followed quickly when Ben Middleton scored his debut try in the far corner. Our third came from Kieran Hatter following a quick run. The fourth was Louis Neal who made a powerful run from the half line to score under the posts and Finn Karsten made the conversion. Miles Brown made a winding run to get our fifth. Perranporth finally got a couple of tries back. Our sixth came from Ryan Deamer and by now the boys had finally realised that they need to score under or near the posts to give the kicker any chance of making the conversion which Finn Karsten duely did. The next 2 were scored by Louis Neal with conversion by Finn. Our last was bravely driven over by Kieran Jones and Finn made the conversion. A warm pasty was the least the team deserved following a convincing win.

Sunday 1st May 2011 - Truro 5 – 10 Shelford 

Try Scorers: Tom Cropper and Andy Williams

In a hard fought game against Truro Shelford team work and spirit shone through with excellent work from all departments. After absorbing the early onslaught from Truro with great defensive work Shelford moved the ball out to Tom Cropper who ran with speed to break through the Truro defence to score our first try. Truro pressed again and again to finally score. Shelford’s never say die attitude and determination to win was rewarded in the last play of the game when Andy Williams powered through the Truro defence to score. Thoroughly deserved try for Andy who had an outstanding game.

Ivy Bridge 0 - 12 Shelford

Try Scocers: Louis Neal and Ben Frisk, Conversion: Finn Karsten

Shelford improved with every game and in the last game of the tour wanted the win more than Ivy Bridge. Shelford held Ivy Bridge in the first half against a strong head wind. Shelford started the second half brightly and finally Louis Neal finally broke through the IB defence to score. Our second was a great play from a line out, the ball quickly passed along the backs from Henry Glydon to Finn, Miles Brown and onto Ben Frisk who ran with purpose and determination through tackle after tackle to score next to the posts. A worthy try for Ben which symbolised all the efforts of the touring team and Finn made the conversion. A great way to sign off in our last Under 12 game of rugby which means we now start looking forward to the new season.

U11's - Land Rover Northampton Saints Tournament