Colts

Shelford 38 Diss 12

Shelford took to the road with a squad showing numerous changes from the previous week's cup encounter away at Colchester.

Another glorious Autumn day awaited in Norfolk, and although a midday kick-off should have not meant a slow, sleepy start that's exactly what we got from Shelford. Numerous tackles that were too high on their larger opponents allowed them to get the drives going through their effective mauling and pick & goes, and Shelford soon found themselves 5-0 in arrears. A couple of early knocks meant a hasty reshuffle in the forwards, but this seemed to galvanise their approach to their play and quickly started to make in roads into Diss territory, resulting in a break through to the line by Sachin Booysen to tie the scores at 5 a piece.

Under 13's

Shelford 57 Diss 5

Shelford started strongly with good rucking by the forward pack at the breakdowns to dominate the possession. An early break from a fired up Lui Neal saw Shelford push well into Diss territory, but Diss defend well and push Shelford back. Strong scrummaging by Shelford, especially from Kieran Jones and Thomas Gelling, saw Shelford win both their own and Diss put ins, putting Shelford on the front foot and allowing Fin Karsten to dictate the gameplay at Flyhalf.
 
Shelford struck first with a try by Miles Brown on 8 minutes, the try coming from good build up play by Harry Pearson, Lui Neal and Fin Karsten. Diss were not prepared to fall further behind so early on and pushed forward into Shelford territory, but Shelford defend solidly to deny Diss their first points. Connor Macintosh performed well at scrum half, linking well with the forwards to keep feeding a hungry back line from the rucks.
 
Diss soaked up the Shelford pressure, and on 18 minutes scored their first points against the flow of play with a good counter attack. At the restart, Shelford were determined to make up for their momentary loss of concentration to strike back 2 minutes later, Fin Karsten breaking the Diss defensive line to put Lewis Hunt through on the inside for a try near the posts. Eric Bell continued to apply the pressure to the Diss defense with some great attacking penetrating running, but despite moving to within 5 metres of the Diss try line Shelford were unable to increase their lead before half time. Half time score 10-5.
 
Shelford came out in the second half fired up and determined to extend their lead, not having to wait long before the pressure built 5 metres from the Diss try line, Bradley Goss collecting the ball to power over the tryline on 38 minutes, Keiren Hatter converting to make it 2 more points. Goss found himself in the thick of the action again at the restart and linked well with Keiren Hatter to move the ball upfield, a Diss penalty halting further progress temporarily. Lui Neal collected the ball as Diss kicked for territory, Neal broke through the defensive line shaking off tackle after tackle to feed a lovely ball out to Henry Hackett who found John Harnwell on the wing. Harnwell accellerated away to run in Shelfords 4th try of the game.
 
Shelford's forwards were not going to allow the backs to have all the glory and were on the hunt again for another try. From strong scrummaging, led well by Andy Williams, Shelford homed in on the Diss try line enabling Bradley Goss to drive over the line for his second and Shelford's 5th. Henry Hackett added further points with a well struck conversion.
 
It wasn't long before Shelford were once again camped in the Diss 22, another solid scrum allowing Henry Glydon to release the backs with quick ball to Fin Karsten who jinked through the Diss defence to score a well deserved try. Keiren Hatter turned the screw with a well taken conversion. Lui Neal added another try under the posts for his fourth in two games. Shelford were not finshed yet and further tries from newcomer Laurence, enjoying his first match for Shelford, and Shelford regular Henry Hackett, plus a conversion by Hackett, saw our lads run out 57-5 winners. A positive spirited performance by all the players today, well done all.