Game 7
Felsted 55 - 0 Westcliff
MOTM: Sam Seacombe
A very pleasing way to finish the half term, although this wasn't all plain sailing. The first half was witness to some good passages of play that - rather like the RHS game - were interspersed with periods where the boys seemed to be going through the motions. Dan Benson's opening try was one example where the team put together some exciting phases of play and was quickly followed by James Seager's 60-metre dash where he brushed past at least half-a-dozen would be tacklers. James attempted the same thing in the second half, but managed to drop the ball as he crossed the line! These two quick tries seemed to have an inverse reaction on both teams as Westcliff started to play some spirited rugby whilst the Felsted boys stood off tackles and allowed their opposition to control the breakdown. However our defence held firm and with two further tries we turned round at half time 28-0 up.
The second half saw a much more focused team performance, with James Halfhide again leading the way with some hard tackling that stopped any Westcliff attack in its tracks. With five more tries and one conversion, the boys managed to finish the half term by topping the half-century again. However what I found most gratifying was the fact that we finished the game with all seven substitutes on the pitch with no noticeable drop off in the quality or intensity of play. The only sour note came with James' yellow card - not for foul play but for back-chat to the referee.
It was good to see a number of the 'B' team supporting from the sideline and I have them to thank for the large number of video clips attached below.
The boys now have a two-week break where I would encourage them to get some well earned R&R. However I do expect them to maintain their fitness levels, so regular exercise throughout the break is essential. This has been a very rewarding half term for all of the U16 coaching staff and we would like to think we can carry on through to December. Well done to all the boys who have represented the school so far; I hope I will see some of you out supporting the school teams tomorrow in the U15 & U18 festival where a number of boys from the 'A' team will be joining the 1st XV squad.
Dan opens the scoring
Great scrum
Sideline conversion
Big tackle from James
Miles scores (again!)
Double tackle
Max stretches for the corner
Bertie's line break
Another line break, another knock-on
Friday, 21 October 2011
Sunday, 16 October 2011
1st XV v Framlingham College - Though shalt not pass
Result: Won 27-3
Tries: Hardy, Malins, Lillie
Cons: Malins W 3
Pens: Malins W 1
The first away trip took the XV down to Framlingham, which can be a tricky fixture away from home. However, the XV made light work of dispatching the opposition after a solid 1st half performance saw them take a 10-3 lead that they never looked like relinquishing. Framlingham played with plenty of heart as always, but Felsted had too much quality on the day when it mattered in the red zone. The killer try in the 2nd half by W Malins was an excellent dummy in midfield, after the forwards had gained quick ball from several slick phases of play. Jordan Lillie came off the bench to score again and look sharp in the process.
Man of the Match: Rory Hartley
Tries: Hardy, Malins, Lillie
Cons: Malins W 3
Pens: Malins W 1
The first away trip took the XV down to Framlingham, which can be a tricky fixture away from home. However, the XV made light work of dispatching the opposition after a solid 1st half performance saw them take a 10-3 lead that they never looked like relinquishing. Framlingham played with plenty of heart as always, but Felsted had too much quality on the day when it mattered in the red zone. The killer try in the 2nd half by W Malins was an excellent dummy in midfield, after the forwards had gained quick ball from several slick phases of play. Jordan Lillie came off the bench to score again and look sharp in the process.
Man of the Match: Rory Hartley
1st XV v Coopers Coburn - Felsted XV show potential
Result: Won 22-5
Tries: Malins S, Dennis R, Hardy J, Lillie J
Cons: Malins W
The season opener saw the XV get out the blocks well with good continuity between backs and forwards evident. William Malins controlled the game well from 10 and the 4 tries were excellent team tries. The pick of them was finished off by James Hardy who uncharacteristically ignored the overlap to dummy and cross the white wash, after superb build up work from lineout that saw William Malins cut a super angle to break the Coopers defence before off loading the Chris George who fed James Hardy. The XV were denied two more tries to marginal decisions that went against them on this occasion, but a pleasing start.
Man of the Match: James Hardy
Tries: Malins S, Dennis R, Hardy J, Lillie J
Cons: Malins W
The season opener saw the XV get out the blocks well with good continuity between backs and forwards evident. William Malins controlled the game well from 10 and the 4 tries were excellent team tries. The pick of them was finished off by James Hardy who uncharacteristically ignored the overlap to dummy and cross the white wash, after superb build up work from lineout that saw William Malins cut a super angle to break the Coopers defence before off loading the Chris George who fed James Hardy. The XV were denied two more tries to marginal decisions that went against them on this occasion, but a pleasing start.
Man of the Match: James Hardy
Thursday, 13 October 2011
U16 A v RHS
Result: Won 10-48
Review: On Tuesday, we travelled down to a windy RHS Holbrook, in the hope of avenging last year’s extraordinary 41-39 loss. On the back of an outstanding performance on Saturday, the confidence in the squad was very high, and within two minutes, a back row move down the right had put Dan Benson in for the opening try. Soon after that a cross field kick from Rory Hutchinson was gathered by Max Paulin, and after a couple of phases of play, James Seager crossed on the left. With Hutchinson on target again, the lead was already 14-0.
Unfortunately, with the game at our mercy, we produced some sloppy play, failing to retain possession, and allowing ourselves to lose the ball out of the back of a 5m scrum, resulting in a long range RHS counter attack. Having kept this out, we struck back, with full back Miles Singleton breaking through from 30m out, to go under the posts (see video clip below), again converted. From the restart, again we seemed to relax, and allowed RHS to regain possession, and following a sequence of close drives, they crossed our line. Frustration was growing, as a 21-5 lead, having played with the wind, was not a guarantee of success. There was just time, though, for us to gather our thoughts, and strike back with a good try from Singleton on the wide right, to give us a 26-5 half time break. With injury concerns to James Halfhide and Harry Robins, and a strong wind to contend with, we still needed to up our game. Fortunately, this was achieved, and Adam Sellers scored after a good period of possession. RHS did come back hard at this point, and scored after we conceded a penalty for handling on the ground. The scrappy nature of the game (one example in the videos below) was not helped by a lack of clarity over what was allowed at the tackle area, and frustration could have got the better of us, but showing the greater mental steel that has been a feature this year, the boys struck back with three more tries into the wind, with Max Paulin touching down, after good continuity from a tap penalty, and Miles Singleton completing his second consecutive hat trick. The game finished with a very well worked back row move (video below), which ended with Dan Benson scoring on the right. On reflection, it was a good game to win – away games are always a challenge, and conditions were not suited to fluent rugby. But, the team was disappointed not to be able to reproduce the sustained excellence of Saturday, and ball retention, coordination in defence, and alertness to the situation are all areas that can be better.
Man of the Match: Ben Warner
Felsted U16 B
Review: On Tuesday, we travelled down to a windy RHS Holbrook, in the hope of avenging last year’s extraordinary 41-39 loss. On the back of an outstanding performance on Saturday, the confidence in the squad was very high, and within two minutes, a back row move down the right had put Dan Benson in for the opening try. Soon after that a cross field kick from Rory Hutchinson was gathered by Max Paulin, and after a couple of phases of play, James Seager crossed on the left. With Hutchinson on target again, the lead was already 14-0.
Unfortunately, with the game at our mercy, we produced some sloppy play, failing to retain possession, and allowing ourselves to lose the ball out of the back of a 5m scrum, resulting in a long range RHS counter attack. Having kept this out, we struck back, with full back Miles Singleton breaking through from 30m out, to go under the posts (see video clip below), again converted. From the restart, again we seemed to relax, and allowed RHS to regain possession, and following a sequence of close drives, they crossed our line. Frustration was growing, as a 21-5 lead, having played with the wind, was not a guarantee of success. There was just time, though, for us to gather our thoughts, and strike back with a good try from Singleton on the wide right, to give us a 26-5 half time break. With injury concerns to James Halfhide and Harry Robins, and a strong wind to contend with, we still needed to up our game. Fortunately, this was achieved, and Adam Sellers scored after a good period of possession. RHS did come back hard at this point, and scored after we conceded a penalty for handling on the ground. The scrappy nature of the game (one example in the videos below) was not helped by a lack of clarity over what was allowed at the tackle area, and frustration could have got the better of us, but showing the greater mental steel that has been a feature this year, the boys struck back with three more tries into the wind, with Max Paulin touching down, after good continuity from a tap penalty, and Miles Singleton completing his second consecutive hat trick. The game finished with a very well worked back row move (video below), which ended with Dan Benson scoring on the right. On reflection, it was a good game to win – away games are always a challenge, and conditions were not suited to fluent rugby. But, the team was disappointed not to be able to reproduce the sustained excellence of Saturday, and ball retention, coordination in defence, and alertness to the situation are all areas that can be better.
Man of the Match: Ben Warner
This Saturday, Brentwood are not able to field under 16 teams, so there will be training for the squad, although a good number will be used in 1st and 2nd team match day squads. There is an additional fixture for Tuesday, with a home game against Westcliff, kicking off at 2.30pm.
Felsted U16 B
The start of the match was
very scrappy and relatively poor in terms of our play in forwards and
backs alike. The wind played havoc with passing and line-outs meaning
we lost the majority of the line-outs with the wind and won them
against. We had a couple of good breaks but with no result as the pace
of their main player was much too great. The game provided us with a
lot of defensive work, which we very much improved on in the second
half. Bad discipline from the opposite side and a very one-sided ref
aided our loss but nevertheless a lot can be learned from this game.
Special mention to Tim Stiles for making some incredible tackles
saving many a try and Sam Seacombe and George Bently for some good
runs. [Report from Sam Payne]
I
am aware that I have yet to post any footage of the B team; rest
assured that I will make this a priority for the next fixture.
Man of the Match: Tim Stiles
Man of the Match: Tim Stiles
Saturday, 8 October 2011
U16 A v Greshams
Result: Won 5-52
Despite the long journey, Gresham’s (who had put 70 points on Framlingham last week) came out of the blocks brilliantly. From the kick off, they attacked, with an intelligent kick, and then moved the ball quickly from the line out, to take an early lead. However, in the next 15 minutes the boys put together their best rugby of the season to date, with a score from Ben Thompson, and then two tries for Miles Singleton, whose pace caused Gresham’s problems all afternoon. The pace, and intensity of this period of play was really impressive. As Gresham’s tried to launch a counter attack, the hostile defence of the Felsted boys forced their captain from the field, and as their attack was just snuffed out on the left, we attacked from our own line. Hutchinson saw the space, and released Edwards, who in turn fed Singleton, who burst through a gap on the left, and having stepped the full back, seemed to be in under the posts. Their centre just caught him, but Max Paulin was on hand to finish the try, and with Hutchinson adding his fourth conversion, we turned round 28-5 up. In the second half, the intensity dropped slightly, but the aggressive defence and continuity remained very impressive, and there were further tries for Hutchinson (with a chip and chase), Singleton, completing his hat trick, Thompson, once again in excellent support, and Max Paulin finishing things off. The whole squad of 21 played their part, and the ferocity of the tackling and scrummaging, along with the desire to keep the ball alive whenever possible made this a torrid afternoon for Gresham’s. I am grateful to George Bentley who has managed to capture some of the key parts of the match on video. This was filmed on the PE Dept iPad, so I apologise for the lack of zoom.
Despite the long journey, Gresham’s (who had put 70 points on Framlingham last week) came out of the blocks brilliantly. From the kick off, they attacked, with an intelligent kick, and then moved the ball quickly from the line out, to take an early lead. However, in the next 15 minutes the boys put together their best rugby of the season to date, with a score from Ben Thompson, and then two tries for Miles Singleton, whose pace caused Gresham’s problems all afternoon. The pace, and intensity of this period of play was really impressive. As Gresham’s tried to launch a counter attack, the hostile defence of the Felsted boys forced their captain from the field, and as their attack was just snuffed out on the left, we attacked from our own line. Hutchinson saw the space, and released Edwards, who in turn fed Singleton, who burst through a gap on the left, and having stepped the full back, seemed to be in under the posts. Their centre just caught him, but Max Paulin was on hand to finish the try, and with Hutchinson adding his fourth conversion, we turned round 28-5 up. In the second half, the intensity dropped slightly, but the aggressive defence and continuity remained very impressive, and there were further tries for Hutchinson (with a chip and chase), Singleton, completing his hat trick, Thompson, once again in excellent support, and Max Paulin finishing things off. The whole squad of 21 played their part, and the ferocity of the tackling and scrummaging, along with the desire to keep the ball alive whenever possible made this a torrid afternoon for Gresham’s. I am grateful to George Bentley who has managed to capture some of the key parts of the match on video. This was filmed on the PE Dept iPad, so I apologise for the lack of zoom.
Man of the Match: Bertie Wells
Felsted 'B' - walkover
Greshams had to cancel this fixture on the morning. Due to injuries and illness they could only field 11 plyers.
Welcome along! Sorry I'm late
Sorry this has taken a while for me to get up and running; I hope the quality of the rugby to have been played by all 40 boys that have represented the 'A' and 'B' teams goes some way to making up for my tardiness.
To have both teams unbeaten as we head into week 6 is a fantastic achievemnt and one the boys should be proud of. I have reproduced a short summary of the games so far, courtesy of Mr Townsend.
Game 1
Felsted 27 - 5 Coopers Coburn
I was unable to be at this game due to other family commitments, but it was good to hear that all boys played well and the apparent strength in depth was an encouraging sign for the rest of the season.
Game 2
Felsted 37 - 5 Framlingham
There were scores from Marcus Joyce, Max Paulin, Dan Benson, Ralph Stanevicius, Tom Edwards, James Halfhide and Ben Thompson. Although by no means a complete performance, it was very pleasing to win so well, when we were without Rory Hutchinson and Bertie Wells, and had to juggle the backline as a result. The first half saw us capitalise on Framlingham mistakes to score three times, but a rather sloppy passage of play allowed them to get a score back before the break. In the second half, the quality of our tackling stepped up further, and fairly relentless pressure saw us score four more good tries.
To have both teams unbeaten as we head into week 6 is a fantastic achievemnt and one the boys should be proud of. I have reproduced a short summary of the games so far, courtesy of Mr Townsend.
Game 1
Felsted 27 - 5 Coopers Coburn
I was unable to be at this game due to other family commitments, but it was good to hear that all boys played well and the apparent strength in depth was an encouraging sign for the rest of the season.
Game 2
Felsted 37 - 5 Framlingham
There were scores from Marcus Joyce, Max Paulin, Dan Benson, Ralph Stanevicius, Tom Edwards, James Halfhide and Ben Thompson. Although by no means a complete performance, it was very pleasing to win so well, when we were without Rory Hutchinson and Bertie Wells, and had to juggle the backline as a result. The first half saw us capitalise on Framlingham mistakes to score three times, but a rather sloppy passage of play allowed them to get a score back before the break. In the second half, the quality of our tackling stepped up further, and fairly relentless pressure saw us score four more good tries.
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