U16 A v Bishops Stortford College - This is the big one!

Felsted Rugby U16 ‘A’ v Bishops Stortford College

Result: won 21-20

Tries: Seager, J Halfhide, Singleton

Cons: Hutchinson (3)

Pens:

Man of the Match: 

Review

Just a quick update from today’s match – a high quality match, played at great pace.

Felsted piled on the early pressure, but conceded a breakaway try, to trail 5-0 early on. Then James Seager went over from close range, under the posts, converted by Rory Hutchinson. The lead was short-lived, though, as BSC produced their best passage of play ending with their captain, and no 8 going over to put Bishop Stortford College 10-7 ahead. Felsted hit back again, though, as James Halfhide capitalised on a poor line out, to go over, again converted by Rory Hutchinson.

14-10 up at half time, and all to play for. From the restart, a scrum in midfield let Miles Singleton slip away down the blind side, and outstrip the cover. Hutchinson again converted, and Felsted at 21-10 were well on top. Pressure could and perhaps should have led to points, but Stortford kept on going, and it was another long range try that put them back in the game at 21-15. Again, Felsted started to dominate territory, but another loose ball with five minutes to go, and Stortford were away. Their centre completed a hat trick of break-away tries, and with an easy conversion to follow, and time running out, it seemed all over. However, the conversion was missed, and Felsted held onto their lead by the narrowest of margins. A brutal passage of play finished the game, as wave after wave of Stortford attacks was repelled by some brilliant defence.

Felsted hung on for a famous 21-20 victory – deserved, but extremely hard fought.

A few clips from the game are linked here

Knock on

Miles scores

Chance missed

Update

As you may have noticed, things have gone rather quiet on the Under 16 rugby front lately. The majority of the A team players were involved in the House Matches on Saturday, which saw a win for Elwyn’s, and a good number will be involved in the 1st and 2nd team matches against Berkhamsted on Saturday (away). This will allow us to focus on preparation for the B team players on Saturday, before focusing on the A team again on Monday, in readiness for the fixtures against Bishop Stortford College on Tuesday. These are crunch matches, with both schools being unbeaten at under 16 level at this stage of the season. Hopefully injuries and promotions will not hamper our chances too much!

Next fixtures

Tuesday 22nd November 2.15pm, home
Under 16a and b v Bishop Stortford College

Felsted U15 Daily Mail Cup report

Result: Won 7-0
A gritty defensive display allowed Felsted to progress into the regional quarter finals. In the first half Felsted had the ball for at most 2 minutes, but good organisation, communication and tackling restricted the opponents’ chances, who were organised and went through the phases very well. In the second half it was more of the same but gradually Felsted started winning some ball. The turning point came when Saffron Walden with sustained pressure earned a penalty under the posts. However the kick was missed. With 5 minutes to go Felsted got into the opponents 22 for the first time. Oliver Williams caught a line out, fed Tom Kingham who gave the ball to Max Malins who burst through three tackles to score. He converted the kick from just wide of the posts.
Man of the Match: Oliver Williams

1st XV v Great Baddow School (DM Cup R3) - Felsted great rather than bad

Result: Won 53-0 (Game completed 12 minutes early) 
Tries: Dennis 4, Walsh 2, Lillie 2,Hartley 1
Cons: Withers 4
Great Baddow having comfortably come through the last round arrived at Felsted who were not at full strength due to injuries and a fieldtrip, but the under studies proved that the XV have strength in depth and the players have plenty of competition for places in the coming weeks after half term. Daniel Withers moved across to 10 and Jack Stevens moved up to the XV at 13 and cut angles superbly all afternoon. The handling and offloading was again impressive at times and although tougher games are to come the pattern of play is now well established. Matthew Salter played well covering on the wing and Rob Dennis continued his try scoring frenzy with another 4! The service to the back three was excellent and the forwards again set the platform with the hard yards being made by Hugh Fillingham and Chris George in the engine room. The Captain was outstanding again.
Man of the Match: Chris George

 

1st XV v Brentwood - Living in a Dennis wonderland

Result: Won 66-0 (Game completed 20 minutes early)
Tries: Dennis 4, Withers 2, Malins W 1, Hardy 1,Fillingham 1, Lillie 1
Cons: Malins W 8
This game started slowly for the XV with Brentwood actually on the attack for 5 minutes, before the first really meaningful possession the side had saw Rob Dennis finish off a spectacular backs move to score the first of his 4 tries during the afternoon. The handling across the XV was outstanding and Brentwood although keen to make the odd big hit spent the afternoon chasing shadows. William Malins continued his good form at 10 and added to his general play with 8/10 conversions. The hard working Hugh Fillingham and Jordan Lillie were rewarded with tries and Daniel Withers finished off some slick backs handling for his two crosses of the white line. The game was blown up 20 minutes early after the XV took total control over the opposition who just couldn’t handle the pace of the game.
Man of the Match: Jordan Lillie
 
     

1st XV v RHS Holbrook - One way traffic

Result: Won 32-5
Tries: Dennis, Malins S, Malins W, Hartley 2, Oxnam 
Cons: Malins W
Review: An away trip on a Tuesday in windy conditions can be a tricky affair, but with the XV playing well they dispatched RHS Holbrook who put up a spirited display in routine style. They didn’t quite reach the heights of the first half on Saturday, but the tries either side of half time were well executed. The game started with Felsted on the back foot until Robert Dennis having been fed by Sam Malins in his own 22 scored a magnificent individual try from 70 metres. The XV didn’t look back and with the Captain Rory Hartley rampaging from the back row with the ever improving William Hiett RHS found life tough. The final 10 minutes was a little scrappy, but again the damage was done.
Man of the Match: Robert Dennis 

   

1st XV v Gresham’s School - Power, pressure and panache

Result: Won 31-10
Tries: Dennis 2, Withers, Malins W, Hiett
Cons: Malins W 3
Review: The XV were now playing with confidence and the first half saw the team put together the most convincing display to date. The interlinking between forwards and backs was at times breathtaking and the 4 tries that followed were all of high quality. The backline executed ruthlessly and the platform set by the pack was excellent. The pick of the tries was a switch in play by William Malins that saw quick hands by Phillip Walsh and Hugh Fillingham to put Robert Dennis away down the right. The other tries were not far behind and although the XV struggled a little more in the 2nd half, mainly due to the penalty count going against the side the damage was certainly done. The highlight from a Felsted viewpoint in the 2nd half was a leaping William Hiett taking a high ball before stepping his way in for his maiden try.
Man of the Match: William Hiett 

     

1st XV v Wisbech Grammar School - Bouncebackability

Result: Won 55-3
Tries: Malins W 3, Withers, Malins S, Hartley, Brookes-Ward, Weaver
Cons: Malins W 5, Walsh
Pens: Malins W
After not fronting up on the Saturday for 35 minutes it was important to bounce back and the XV put together an excellent performance against a XV who were always going to struggle against the pace in the Felsted backline. William Malins stole the headlines again with his second hat-trick of the season, but the performance was signified by fantastic support play and finishing. Oliver Brookes-Ward who was playing his first season as a forward was proving ever present in open play and Rory Hartley again led with passion and skill. The XV still will be annoyed at conceding turnovers in midfield and it will be an area to focus on in the matches to come. Congratulations to Cy Weaver who had secured a starting place after showing good form in the 2nd XV.
Man of the Match: Oliver Brookes-Ward

1st XV v Bishop’s Stortford High School - Left too much to do

Result: Lost 24-3
Pens: Malins W

Against a strong XV it is essential you turn up away from home to challenge in the key areas. The XV got pre-occupied with the referee’s decisions and did not get into the game until half time, when the score was already 24-3. The second half saw a much more disciplined performance with much more spirit upfront, but with BSHS able to kill the game or any phases of play and not risk a kick at goal the odds were stacked against the XV getting back into the game. BSHS were deserved winners, but were fortunate to not have any players sin binned after 7 consecutive offences in their 22. A fine performance upfront by Hugo Chaplin was noted by the coaches after another display punching above his weight.  
Man of the Match: Hugo Chaplin 
 

1st XV v Colchester 6th Form College - Felsted are the ones with form

Result: Won 52-5
Tries: W Malins 3, Walsh, Sexton, Weaver, Stevens, Hartley 
Cons: W Mailns 4, Walsh 2
The score identifies that this was a comfortable victory for the XV, but at times the game became unstructured and the contact area was rather scrappy. The opposition challenged well upfront, but could not cope with the pace and balanced running of the back line. William Malins scored a hat-trick of tries and tallied an impressive 23 points on the day. Harder challenges in the competition will certainly lie ahead and the XV will be looking for a more disciplined display in R2. Several 2nd XV players made an impact from the bench and Weaver and Stevens both crossed the line.
Man of the Match: William Malins

   

1st XV v Haileybury College - Sin bin cost XV

Result: Lost 37-14
Tries: Dennis
Pens: Malins W 3

Review: The game was decided 15 minutes into the 2nd Half when a sin bin for hands saw Haileybury score 17 unanswered points in 10 minutes. This was magnified by loosing Dominic Oxnam to injury and the scrums to uncontested. It was a harsh call in the fact he was singled out, but the XV will learn a lot about the importance of maintaining discipline. Haileybury were worthy winners on the day, but at 10 – 9 at half time the XV had an opportunity to snatch victory. Rob Dennis finished off a fantastic backs move to score in the corner after the hard working Daniel Withers released him.
Man of the Match: Daniel Withers