National Under 20s County Championship
Quarter Final - Stafforshire 40 Lancashire 12
There was no joy for Lancashire as they were emphatically beaten 40-12 by Staffordshire at Lichfield, who booked their place in the last four for the first time.
** Staffordshire went on to lose their semi-final match against Devon (staged at Castlecroft, the RFU's former Midlands' base) by a 19-6 margin.
Staffordshire were making their first appearance in the knockout stages having won Midlands Group A for the first time and they showed no sign of quarter-final nerves as they ran in six tries against the Northern group runners-up.
Staffordshire allowed Lancashire no time to settle, hitting them hard from the kick-off and they took the lead with an early penalty from Lichfield fly-half Greg Massey. Winger Tristan Gill (Burton) then crossed for the first of his two first half tries and Massey, Lichfield's leading points scorer in the group matches, followed him to the line to build up a commanding 18-0 lead.
Massey scored again after the break with centre Ollie Pointon (Longton) and lock James Cordell (Stoke) adding further tries before Lancashire responded with a late consolation try.
Aspull wingman Mark Kellett and prop Derek Salisbury from Caldy, the captain, scored tries for Lancashire, with Sedgley Park fly-half Don Kohler adding a conversion.
by Tony Simpson, RFU North Press Officer (07764 336708)
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Lancashire Under 20s travel to Lichfield for a Quarter Final tie against Staffordshire, who won the Midlands Group A.
Lancashire have a handful of changes due to injuries, holidays and other representative commitments.
Prop Tom Baker is ruled out with injury and replaced by the returning Alex Cowey, Will Fewkes coming onto the bench; hooker Anthony Harvey comes in for holidaying Billy Graham; prop Danny Birchall resumes after being out since the opening Roses defeat; and the considerable presence of 6ft 8in, 19st Joe Birtwistle is added to the replacements in case a bit of extra timber is needed.
Behind the scrum, No 9 Scott Morton also gets his first chance since the opening game because Matt Conway is holidaying. In the backs, centre Ollie Moore and full-back Mark Murray return after injury.
This is the first occasion that Staffordshire has reached this stage of the National Under 20s County Championship competition. The Midlands County's success this season was reflected in the selection of eight players in the Midlands Under-20 squad against London including fly-half Greg Massey, hooker George Glenn, prop Paul Ensor and locks Mark Deaville and Oliver Greatholder in the starting XV.
Lancashire Under 20s Squad – Sunday, 1st April
v. Staffordshire (kick off 3.00pm)
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Squad from:
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1
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Derek Salisbury
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Caldy RFC
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2
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Jack Haward
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Preston Grasshoppers RFC
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3
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Alex Cowey
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Vale of Lune RUFC
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4
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Dan Perry
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Vale of Lune RUFC
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5
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Graham Thomas
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Preston Grasshoppers RFC
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6
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Luke Ford
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Vale of Lune RUFC
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7
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Dan Waller
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Fylde RUFC
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8
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Jordan Pearson
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Blackburn RUFC
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9
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Scott Morton
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Eccles RFC
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10
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Dom Kohler
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Sedgley Park RUFC
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11
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Jonathan Walmsley
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Blackburn RUFC
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12
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Oliver Moore
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Preston Grasshoppers RFC
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13
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David Kirby
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Preston Grasshoppers RFC
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14
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Jack Moorhouse
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Sale FC
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15
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Mark Murray
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Preston Grasshoppers RFC
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16
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Joe Birtwistle
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Fylde RUFC
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17
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Will Fewkes
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Manchester Met University
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18
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Alan Whittaker
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Vale Of Lune RUFC
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19
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Liam Reeve
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Aspull RFC
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20
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Anthony Harvey
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Caldy RFC
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21
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Nick Smith
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Preston Grasshoppers RFC
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22
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Mark Kellett
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Preston Grasshoppers RFC
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23
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Danny Higham
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Aspull RFC
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24
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Sean Hall
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Preston Grasshoppers RFC
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25
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Danny Birchall
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Vale of Lune RFC
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