Under 20’s
Team Information
FIXTURES
Season 2024
Sunday 10th March – Staffordshire v North Mids @ Stafford
Sunday 5th May- Warwicshire v Staffordshire Away
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Management Team
Team Manager
Mike Bezus
M: 07831 848153 | E: mtb@scsgroup.com
Head Coach – Steve Harris
Forwards Coach – Luke Granger
Backs Coach – Chaz Bunting
Assistant Coach – Russ Troman
2023
Staffordshire U20’s
Staffordshire U20s V Northumberland U20s Sunday 20th March 2022 at Alnwick RFC
Staffordshire made the long trip to Northumberland in the quarter final of the Jason Leonard U20 County Championship on the 20th March 2022. The first pick up was at 7.00am and a long 5-hours plus journey followed to arrive at Alnwick on a fine but cool Sunday afternoon.
The players went through an extensive warm up and looked in fine form and up for the game. Looking at the match programme it was clear that Northumberland were going to be a class outfit counting numerous National 1, National 2 and Super BUCS players in their ranks.
The game started at a blistering pace and some smart work linking forwards and backs saw Northumberland take a 5-0 lead within the first couple of minutes of the game.
Staffordshire composed themselves and their forwards took them into the hosts half and forced a penalty for not releasing. The goal attempt bounced off the uprights and was caught by 2nd row Danny Griffin who powered towards the line. Quick ball from the recycled ruck was moved wide only to be turned over, but the referee adjudged the home side to be offside and awarded another penalty. Tom Gibson was forced to leave the field at this point with his ankle injury returning and was replaced by Ben Clay. Joel Bezus this time landed the penalty to bring the score to 5-3 after 8 minutes.
The next 20 minutes were painful for the visitors with the strong Northumberland side running freely and breaking tackles to score 3 tries without reply. Joe Byrne was forced to leave the field temporarily with a nasty cut to the head following the 4th Try and was replaced by Dan Raftery.
Staffordshire were next to get on the score sheet when the fly half took a quick penalty, and the backs moved the ball swiftly to see Will Derry crash over in the corner for an unconverted try.
Northumberland were soon back into their stride scoring another two excellent tries to give them a 38-8 lead at Half Time. Staffordshire’s woes were compounded as Prop Segundo De Olmos was forced to leave the field at Half time with a hand injury.
The coaches tried to rally the team during the intervals and the players encouraged each other to rise to the challenge. Alfie Everall came on as prop and Gregor Hayes moved into the 2nd row to allow Danny Griffin to move to Open side. This appeared to have the desired effect as the visitors started the second half well.
Good forward play forced the home side to transgress, and the Staffs Fly Half kicked for territory. Good work at the ensuing line saw the forwards drive towards the goal line and Joe Shacklock picked up the ball and drove for the line to score. Joel Bezus added the conversion.
From the re-start the boys in green were straight back at it with the forwards catching and securing good ball and running through a couple of phases to take them into Northumberland’s half. A quick break down the blind side saw Will Derry released to scurry over for his second try to bring the score back to 38-20 at the 45-minute mark.
Northumberland re-gathered themselves and despite some valiant defending from the visitors the home side ran in 4 more tries in the second half to end the game worthy victors at 62-20.
Staffordshire at times looked capable of competing with the Northumberland side but were well beaten by an extremely strong, fit and well drilled outfit.
Final Score Northumberland 62 – Staffordshire 20
Scorers – Tries: Will Derry (2), Joe Shacklock. Conversions; Joel Bezus (1) Penalties: Joel Bezus (1)
Staffordshire Under 20s
Staffordshire U20 Squad to face Northumberland U20
at Alnwick RFC on Sunday 20th March 2022 – Kick Off 2.30pm
Starting Line Up
1 Edgar Brown Burton RFC
2 William Cann Tamworth RUFC/Leeds Beckett University
3 Segundo Del Olmos Burton RFC
4 Danny Griffin Newport RFC/Harper Adams University
5 Joseph Shacklock (C) Burton RFC
6 Tom Gibson (VC) Stoke on Trent RUFC/Nottingham Trent University
7 Sam Lloyd Leek RUFC
8 Joel Hine Leek RUFC/Manchester University
9 Will Bailey Newcastle RUFC/Nottingham University
10 Joel Bezus (VC) Trentham RUFC/Cardiff Met University
11 Will Derry Burton RFC/Nottingham Trent University
12 Samuel Clarke Stoke on Trent RUFC/Hartpury University
13 Tristian De Jager Burton RFC
14 Joel Finnemore Lichfield RUFC
15 Joseph Byrne Leek RUFC
Finishers
16 Alfie Everall Stafford RFC
17 Archie Bell Keele University
18 Ben Clay Burton RFC/Hartpury University
19 Patrick Beesley Wednesbury RFC
20 Daniel Raftery Trentham RUFC /Aston University
21 Dan Simcox Trentham RUFC/Keele University
22 Jake Hughes Ashfield RFC/Keele University
TR 1 Gregor Hayes Uttoxeter RFC
TR 2 Josh Champ Longton RFC
Staffordshire Under 20 News
Jason Leonard U20s Division 2 Championship Quarter Final.
Northumberland v Staffordshire
at Alnwick RFC March 20th KO 2:30pm
Staffordshire U20 v Cheshire U20
Staffordshire U20s v Cheshire U20s at Sandbach RUFC on 13th Feb 2022
Following the cancellation of their Jason Leonard U20s Championship game against Buckinghamshire, the Staffordshire delivery team were keen to get the players some game time so turned to neighbours Cheshire who kindly obliged. Cheshire were also happy to host so the scene was set on a blustery Sunday afternoon for what promised to be an entertaining game.
Staffordshire suffered several cry offs through injuries sustained on the Saturday playing for club but still managed a squad of 21, partly thanks to Lichfield back Joel Finnemore stepping in at the 11th hour.
Staffordshire started brightly and on the 6th minute following some smart play in the backs took the ball up to the Cheshire 5 metre line where quickly recycled ball was popped down the blindside and prop Edgar Brown crashed over in the corner for the games first try. The conversion was good and Staffordshire led 0-7.
The blustery conditions were proving difficult for both sides with handling errors a plenty and kicks being taken dead by the wind both sides had to adapt to the conditions.
It wasn’t long before Cheshire’s big forwards got into their rhythm and took play deep into the visitor’s half forcing a penalty for not rolling way. Cheshire took the quick tap and one pass saw them power over the line just to the right of the posts for their first try duly converted to draw the game level.
The next 10 minutes or so was end to end stuff with neither team managing to breakdown the defence. A neat kick from the Cheshire fly half saw the ball bounce in the in-goal area and was touched down by the visitors for a goal line dropout. Against the wind Staffordshire’s fly half kicked towards the 22 the ball coming off Cheshire’s No 5 into touch. However, the AR deemed that it had gone straight out and the referee awarded Cheshire a scrum on 5m under the posts. Staffordshire repelled the onslaught thankfully managing to clear their lines.
The ’home’ side were next to score after some good phase play from the forwards saw the ball moved quickly down the backs and the pacey left winger sprint in at the corner to add their second converted try. Cheshire lead 14-7.
Again both sides went through a period where defence was cancelling out attack, then just as half time approached Cheshire were on the attack around 10m into the visitors half whenSam Clarkes tackle forced the centre to fumble the pass. Tristian De Jager collected the ball off the floor and sprinted 60m to score under the posts, Joel Bezus added the conversion and on half time the score was tied 14-14.
Early in the second half Staffordshire rolled on several replacements keen to ensure everyone got plenty of game time. Taking time to settle the visitors conceded an early try as Cheshire used their big forwards from the lineout to rumble over the line for their 3rd try and added the conversion.
The replacements started to settle and Staffordshire looked to use the elements to keep the hosts pinned in their own half. Strong work from the forwards took them deep into the 22 and as forwards and backs linked the attack was held up 5m short. Debuting Back Row player Patrick Beesley picked up the ball at the back of the ensuing ruck and dived over to claim his debut try. The conversion was added to again draw the game level at 21-21.
Cheshire replied almost immediately through powerful running through their centres and good support play from the forwards to secure another try of their own down the Right hand side of the field, the conversion drifted wide.
The visitors did not panic and went back to their game plan to use the elements to keep the hosts in their own half and put together the phases. Strong running by left wing Joel Finnemore took Staffordshire deep into their opponents half taking 2 or 3 players to drag him down. Scrum Half Will Bailey delivered quick ball to Fly Half Joel Bezus who grubber kicked the ball through, dispossessed the covering defender and drove his way over the line for a try which he then converted. Staffordshire lead 26-28.
This seemed to give the hosts a sense of urgency and they threw everything at the visitors securing territory deep in the Staffordshire half. Staffordshire’s defence held firm until Cheshire managed to isolate a player and forced the referee to award a penalty for holding on the floor. Cheshire opted to kick the penalty and regain the lead 29-28.
With barely seconds to go and everyone around the pitch on the edge of their seats, Staffordshire put together one final attack moving the ball down the backs to give Left Wing Joel Finnemore some space. The big winger used all his pace and power to charge down the wing and power over in the left-hand corner for his debut try. The conversion sailed over from the touchline and the referee blew the final whistle for Staffordshire to take the game. Final Score; Cheshire U20 – 29 Staffordshire U20 – 35.
Thanks to Cheshire for getting the game on at short notice and Sandbach for hosting the game and for their hospitality afterwards. Thanks also to the refereeing team for their invaluable input and most of all thanks to the players of both teams for a great game in difficult conditions played in the true spirit of Rugby.
Staffordshire Team : 1. Edgar Brown 2. Will Cann 3. Alfie Everall 4. Joseph Shacklock (Captain) 5. Gregor Hayes 6. Danny Griffin 7. Sam Lloyd 8. Joel Hine 9. Will Bailey 10. Joel Bezus (Vice Captain) 11. Dan Simcox 12. Sam Clarke 13. Tristian De Jager 14. Dan Raftery 15. Joe Byrne. Replacements Archie Bell, Elijah Stone, Josh Champ, Patrick Beesley, Jake Hughes, Joel Finnemore.
Tries; Edgar Brown, Tristian de Jager, Patrick Beesley, Joel Bezus, Joel Finnemore Conversions; Joel Bezus (5)
Final Score; Cheshire U20 – 29 Staffordshire U20 – 35