Under 20’s

Staffordshire travelled down to Dudley Kingswinford RFC on Sunday 9^th April 2023 for their first Jason Leonard U20s Championship Game of the season. Old rivals North Midlands had already won their first game against Warwickshire so were looking forward to playing Staffs as the two have not met in the championship for a few seasons. The day was breezy and cool with a few periods of spring sunshine with everything set for a good afternoon of Rugby.

Preparations over, Referee Chris Mulroy and his team from NLD got the game underway in front of a sizeable crowd eager to be entertained. The visitors kicked off and the ball was fielded by the powerful looking North Mids forward who went through the phases moving the ball into the staffs half and putting the boys in green and white under pressure. The first 5 minutes were honours even until the home side spilled the ball which Staffs moved quickly to Centre Ben Ashmore who scythed through the midfield breaking the final tackle to scamper in to the left of the uprights. Fly Half Ollie Rowberry added the extras to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.

A prolonged period of Staffordshire pressure followed which the hosts defended valiantly until some quick footwork from scrum half Will Bailey released Jay Haydock down the right wing to score in the corner. The conversion hit the uprights taking the visitors to a 12-0 lead.

NM hit back at the end of the first quarter when staffs defence had got too narrow and the hosts right winger went outside his opposite number to acrobatically dot the ball down in the right corner, the conversion fell short, 12-5.

The second quarter of the game was all Staffs with constant pressure and many turnovers Jay Haydock scored his second down the right wing and first Prop Eddie Brown and then flanker Tom Coton both showing that forwards can score to with some great pick and go and support play. All 3 tries were converted by Ollie Rowberry to bring the half time score to North Mids 5 – Staffordshire 33,

The second half started much as the first had ended with Staffordshire in control and the forwards led by captain Tom Gibson taking control and working the way back up the pitch. Following an infringement by the host the visitors opted for field position kicking to the corner. From good ball at the lineout Staffs drove for the line with hooker Ben Clay finally securing the Try from the ensuing maul. The conversion was good Staffs lead 40 -5.

At this point the Staffs coaching team decided to start rolling the bench replacing Captain Tom Gibson with Alex McDonald and 2^nd Row Joe Shacklock with Cam Maughan. Unfortunately this appeared to upset the balance and the home side started to get themselves back in the game scoring 3 unanswered tries in the next 10 minutes 2 from their wingers an one from their No 8 one of which was converted to bring the score back to 40-24 at the end of the 3^rd quarter.

On the 60 minute mark further replacements were made with Gregor Hayes replacing Danny Griffen and Bob Clews coming on for Joel Finnemore on the wing. Gregor Hayes ws straight into with some strong carrying in the midfield forcing NM to concede a penalty for tackler not releasing, A quick tap from scrum half Will Bailey saw him dart through the retiring players then accelerate away to score under the posts, giving Rowberry an easy conversion.

Jay Haydock saw his Hat Trick come up shortly afterwards as he found room out on the right wing to finish in the corner, the conversion sliding just wide.

North Mids were not done yet however and some poor communication from the kick off saw the ball find grass and the home sides winger beating all the Staffs players to the bounce and weaving through the defence to score just left of the uprights. The conversion was good.

Staffs rolled the rest of their subs on with Ollie Platt coming in at prop for Eddie Brown, Anton Davidson coming in on the flank with Tom Coton moving to hooker, Ben Clay leaving the field. As play restarted the hosts were reduced to 14 when their No 8 was shown a Yellow card for deliberately slowing the ball down.

The visiting forwards took this as their cue to again rampage up the pitch giving scrum half Will Bailey the platform to dart over for his second try before he retired from the game for James Milan to take over at Scrum Half.

Replacement Prop Ollie Platt caught the ball from the re-start and set off down the pitch but was adjudged to have used his forearm against the opposition tackers neck and saw a Yellow card which he would not return from.

Both sides finished the last few minutes of the game defending resolutely but the visitors finally running out deserved winners at North Midlands U20 31 – Staffordshire U20 57.

Staffordshire next face Warwickshire on Sunday 23^rd April 2023 at Newcastle (Staffs) RFC 2.30pm kick off.

Final Score North Midlands U20 31 – Staffordshire U20 57.

Scorers – Tries:- Jay Haydock (3), Will Bailey (2), Ben Ashmore, Eddie Brown, Tom Coton, Ben Clay. Conversions:- Ollie Rowberry (6)

A Friendly game against Cheshire U20s has been arranged in preparation for The  Jason Leonard National Under 20 Cup

The game is being held at:

Stockport RFC, The Memorial Ground, Headlands Road, Bramhall, Stockport. SK7 3AN.

Kick Off is at 2.00pm

Please come and support your U20s – everyone welcome.

1 Edgar                          Brown Burton RFC
2 Ben Clay                    Burton RFC/Hartpury University
3 Rhys Williams          Burton RFC
4 Callum Oakden        Sandbach RFC
5 Joseph Shacklock    Burton RFC
6 Anton Davidson       Burton RFC
7 Danny Griffin           Burton RFC/Harper Adams University
8 Tom Gibson              Stoke RFC/Nottingham Trent University
9 Will Bailey                 Newcastle (Staffs) RFC/Nottingham University
10 Oliver Rowbery      Wolverhampton RFC/Hartpury University
11 Tobe Okolo              Newcastle (Staffs) RFC
12 Samuel Clarke        Stoke RFC/Nottingham Trent University
13 Ben Ashmore          Lichfield RFC
14 Joesph Murfin        Newcastle (Staffs) RFC
15 Joel Finnemore      Lichfield RFC

16 Alex Richardson     Keele University

17 Gregor Hayes         Uttoxeter RFC
18 Ollie Platt               Stafford RUFC
19 Harry Hodder        Burton RFC
20 Alex Macdonald     Newcastle (Staffs) RFC
21 Cameron Maughan Burton RFC
22 James Christopherson Stocksbridge RFC/Hartpury University
23 Peter Ascroft            Stoke RFC
24 Cameron DeBeer     St Leonards RFC
25 Joseph Byrne Leek    RUFC

We would like to invite nominations for players for Staffordshire U20s. (Players must be over 18 and under 20 at midnight on 31^st August 2022). Please can you forward this email to the Head Coach/DOR/Team Manager of your club if it is not you.

 Players should be physically fit, show above average standards in the core skills required for their position and have excellent game understanding and tactical awareness. Players of eligible age who have represented Staffordshire at U18 level will be contacted directly so should not need to be nominated by the clubs but if there is any doubt please contact me for advice.

In making the nominations coaches should only put forward players who possess these attributes at the highest level as it is unlikely that those who do not will be successful. Nominations are initially limited to 4 per club. If anyone feels they have more than 4 players, then please contact me to discuss.

Nominations must be made by emailing me directly at mtb@scsgroup.com on or before 6.00pm on Tuesday 3^rd Jan 2023 giving the Players Name, Date of Birth, Position, Club/University/College and email contact details.

The players will then be invited to one of two assessment days currently scheduled for Sunday 8^th Jan and Sunday 23^rd Jan 2023.

If you have any queries please email me and I will try and answer them.”

Regards

Mike Bezus

U20 Team Manager

Staffordshire Rugby Union

M 07831 848153  Email mtb@scsgroup.com