MIDDLESEX County RFU
CLUB MIDDLESEX
U 15 Group
2009 - 2010
Manager: G.Brown middlesexu15rugby@teleadapt.com 07878 531695
Head Coach:J.Lacey Coaches: D.Samuel N.Lambert S.Atkinson D.Simpson M.Smith R.James
Middlesex U15 A v Hertfordshire U15 A
Date – 14th March 2010
Venue – Ruislip RFC
Result Middx 48 Herts 43
“Middlesex coach taken to hospital with RSI after keeping score.”
Because of the disruption to the training schedule due to the bad weather this year, the coaches decided to have a little extra preparation time before the warm up. That having been completed satisfactorily and the warm up done, Middx kicked off the match into the wind.
The first few minutes were played at a good tempo but early nerves were getting the better of both sides producing several mistakes. After an initial period of Middx pressure and on 3 minutes Herts were caught off-side and Douch took three points from in front of the post about 23 meters out.
This proved for the moment to be a false dawn as Herts then came back with some good attacking phases of their own. From a kick forward Henshall fielded the ball on his chest but the referee called a knock on. From the resulting scrum Herts broke right and scored through the right wing. 3 – 5 on 7 minutes.
After 15 minutes the Middx 10 Peter Henshall was starting to run the game. The shape of the team was good because of this and the game patterns were very evident.
From such phases of play came a try for the Middx prop Baragwanath in the top right hand corner. To add the 2 extras from the touchline was going to be difficult but Douch slotted perfectly. 10 – 5.
From the kick off the ball was spun quickly across the home 22 to create a 3 on 2. This quickly became a 2 on 1 and the pass was executed perfectly to send George Lawson under the posts from distance. 17 – 5.
Herts then rallied and again put together some good phases. Middx didn’t help themselves with some poor tackling down the middle of the pitch setting up space for the Herts left wing to break and go over. Another good conversion from the touchline and the score stood at 17 – 12 on 17 minutes.
On 22 minutes Herts had a scrum centre field on their own 10 meter line. The scrum half picked and went to kick but Abel Leaman charged down superbly. This resulted in a lineout to Middx inside the Herts 22. Middx take the lineout and use a short phase followed by a well executed backs move wide, the pre match prep paying off. From the resulting ruck Middx win quick ball and Sam Isaacs went over under the posts. Another 2 pointer from Douch and the score was 24 – 12.
Herts to their credit still came back and almost had the last word in the first half. With Middx defending narrowly and not pressing hard enough Herts took advantage of the space they were being given. Still tackling poorly Middx conceded again with a try on the right side. 24 – 17.
With 5 minutes remaining in the first half Herts were pressing hard. The Middx scramble defence was good but still they were not pressing hard enough to close down the Herts time and space. Then they did. Herts were back in their own 22 when the press in the backs was good forcing Herts into an error. The interception was gratefully accepted and with the try under the Herts posts the half closed with Middx 31 – 17 up.
The second half opened with Herts kicking off and for 10 minutes we were without score. Unheard of in this match but, the points drought wasn’t to last for long. Middx pressed hard into Herts territory using good tight phases through the forwards and reaching into the opposition 22. Unfortunately all this good work was spoiled by a lack of concentration when the ball spilled free. The Herts right wing received the ball and breaking from his own 22 went under the Middx posts. The 2 were added. 31 – 24.
On the 15 minute mark Herts have a scrum just inside the Middx half on the left side. From the scrum they break and the Herts left winger cuts a great angle back and reaches the Middx 5 meter line. Incredibly Beno Obano having got up from the scrum, chased back and made the try saving tackle. I hope the winger bought you a lemonade in the bar afterwards Beno, a prop having caught a winger! Unfortunately Herts were still pressing and from a tight drive they get the ball over the line to score. 31 – 29.
It’s all now looking a bit too close and after more Middx pressure they then fell behind to another break out of the Herts 22. Again poor tackling didn’t help the Middx cause but you cannot deny the Herts resilience and their taking of chances when they came. 25 minutes gone 31 – 36.
Still it wasn’t finished. Within 3 minutes Middx put together a string of passes and offloads keeping the ball alive. With the Herts defence now creaking Tom Spanswick found the gap and went over to level the scores. 36 – 36.
As if it wasn’t mad enough already a further mad 5 minutes then ensued. Middx turn over the ball on the half way line. Mark Makram has the ball, evades two tackles, swerves away from another and goes over from distance. 43 – 36.
Herts then break down the middle with multiple phases with their big runners on the ball. The Middx defence cracks and Herts are under the posts. 43 – 43
Somebody call the fire brigade as James Willis nearly sets the grass on fire with a dash into Herts territory. This his second such run but this time he sets up a driving maul that went all the way to and over the Herts line. 48 – 43 to Middx and the end of the game. Phew!
Probably a game less remembered for solid defence and more for open attacking rugby where two teams came to play and play they did. The ball retention was mostly good on both sides and although any patterns of play were less evident in the second half some good structured rugby over all as well.
Congratulations to both teams for producing a very entertaining game that was played in a very good spirit.
Middlesex B 28 Hertfordshire B 10
Middx B vs. Herts B match report Sun 14th March 2010
A B-team bolstered by players returning from injury, DM duty and the A-team bench prepared well in advance of kick-off and started confidently with strong tackling from the back row, led by Salvalaggio who impressed in this department throughout. Early Herts possession was recycled well but the Middx D forced them to be very lateral and the third in a quick sequence of Herts offences saw a kickable opportunity for the home team, successfully converted by Skipper Macleod (3-0). On a gusty day Macleod's kicking from hand and general game management was superb and in no time Middx were pressing the Herts line with a 5m scrum. After an initial drive from the forwards a strong run from Shabani saw me calling for the ball to be pushed back and recycled when in fact it had already been grounded for a score (8-0). From the restart fielded and driven well by Verley, Macleod found a clearance that must have approached 60metres keeping Herts firmly on the back foot. Great awareness from a player that I couldn't identify seized on a ball 'out' at the back of a Herts ruck, and simple execution allowed Battle to extend the lead on the right wing, (12-0). As I prepared to speak at half-time about keeping the opposition to 'nil' the Middx control and focus lapsed for the only time in the match and first a 3/4 charging out of the defensive line and secondly a missed touch and further poor defensive 3/4 alignment saw Herts narrow the gap with two swift tries, leaving the half-time score 12-10. In the huddle, skipper and players alike were volunteering all the right things and the team was challenged to 'walk the talk' and finish the game off early. Control was restored early in the second half and yet another great kick from the skipper put Herts under significant pressure. Super offloads from Salvalaggio, then Brooks, then Macleod created an opening wide on the right but Shabani took a wrong option and a genuine scoring chance was spurned, but his centre partner Third spared his blushes by finishing another good move strongly soon after, (18-10). A further foray into the Herts 22m saw a clean Middx lineout win on the left and simple but clinical execution saw a fine try scored on the opposite wing. As the conversion was lined up the referee decided that the lineout some minutes earlier had been taken by the wrong team... the try was disallowed and a defending lineout was awarded instead. Herts attempt at a catch and drive was resisted by the impressive Middx pack and the maul splintered leaving three Herts players competing with Middx's man-of -the-match Browne, (simply outstanding throughout), who dispossessed the three and recycled the ball allowing Blackett to feed Macleod who dummied to score under the posts, with the try being converted by Avent, (25-10). Middx continued to be clinical and an Avent penalty extended the lead, (28-10), which remained the score at full time. A pleasing win, characterised by good control of the ball by the forwards, (where Kalejaye and Brooks worked tirelessly), and of the game by the half-backs. Aside from the 10 minute patch just before the interval which illustrated that at this level you will be punished if focus doesn't hold for the full 60, (or was it 70), minutes, the coaching team were delighted. The game was played in great spirit by both teams and Middx can be proud of a strong performance and should reflect on the fact that nothing more than correct pattern and clinical handling led to a comfortable win. More of the same please for all who are involved next weekend...( Nick Lambert)
Games played at Ruislip March 14th
See the News page
"The Spirit of Rugby"
Sussex A vs Middx A Match Report 7-3 Feb 28th 2010
by Nick Lambert.
Hi all I think that we're all a bit too 'grown up' now for a match report artificially constructed to 'name-check' everyone, but please rest assured that the coaching team value the contributions of EVERY player in the squad, from 1 to 22, both on and off the field... never forget that rugby is the greatest 'team game' of all and that the 'team' includes replacements and non-travelling reserves too...
Those 'trials' back in October seemed a distant memory as the squad assembled at Ruislip on Saturday. Indeed a huge amount of time and effort has been invested in and by the U15 squad and their response to this groundwork has been pleasingly mature and professional... The last 30 hours of intense preparation proved to be of huge value and the 'away day' initiative was a great success with the boys growing even closer together as a squad and allowing preparation to build slowly and in a 
most meaningful way.
The squad readied themselves physically, mentally and emotionally for the task in hand, it's just a shame that Sussex were not so well prepared with changing facilities delayed, mass confusion over pitches and an official prepared to let players and supporters alike stand in the cold and wet until Sussex deemed it time to kick-off... I have already received an approach from Sussex to secure the administrative services of a Mr G Brown which I have forwarded to 10 Downing Street on the assumption that our Gordon will still have a job in London next season...
With the game finally underway it became clear that this would be a physical encounter against a large, if technically limited opposition. Skipper Henshall marshalled the game well in the opening exchanges and Middlesex were soon rewarded for their pressure when Sussex strayed beyond the 5m at a scrum and Douch confidently took advantage, (0-3). With the ground so soft and the ball so wet it proved difficult for either set of Backs to use their pace and footwork to evade what were two strong defences and it was the powerful running of Obano that looked to be the difference between the teams. Both teams had opportunities to score and Middlesex looked all set to build on their lead when a 5 on 2 overlap was created in the dying seconds of the first half but an imprecise finish meant that the lead remained at just 3 points at halftime.
Discussions during the interval focused upon 'finishing the job' and 'turning territory into points' as Sussex appeared to be wilting with at least two of their bigger forwards being forced from the field with injuries. The second half continued much as the first had ended with Middlesex on top but failing to land the 'killer blow'. On a rare foray into the Middlesex 22m, Sussex were re-energised and after some initially solid close-quarter defence Sussex finally crashed over from close range and subsequently converted their try, (7-3).
Middlesex tended to lose a little shape from this point on and despite great work up front from the impressive Leaman and King, the much rehearsed 'pattern' was gradually overtaken by tremendously physical but less sophisticated attempts to cross the Sussex line. With barely two minutes on the clock, Obano
again drove hard into the Sussex 22m and the Middlesex backrow recycled quick ball presenting a huge overlap on the left, simple hands from Douch and Isaacs in the centre left ample room for Spanswick to sprint home for what would surely be the winning score. Middlesex were euphoric, Sussex were deflated, all present were bemused when the official finally arrived in the vicinity of the action to disallow the try on what were entirely dubious grounds.
Perhaps the most telling of the photographic evidence was the absence of said official in any of the shots, clearly struggling to keep up with the pace of the Middlesex recycling and distribution. Under the circumstances, the Middlesex players largely controlled their dismay in an admirable manner. Truth told, Middlesex should have taken the game away from Sussex much earlier in the day but the record will show a 7-3 victory for Sussex, but there could be little honour in the Sussex dressing room... Next time we must be more precise... remember guys... 'ice-cool in attack, rabid in defence..." Nick Lambert
Match Report Under 15 A’s.
Sussex 15 v Middlesex 39
Date: 1st March 2009
Venue: Worthing RFC
St David’s day dawned in just about perfect conditions for rugby. Overcast but mild with no wind or rain, the pitch was dry but soft enough to take a stud and very flat. Middlesex were out on the pitch in their new and much appreciated kit ready to receive the kick off from Sussex. It had seemed a long time coming with all the hard work and preparation put in by the squad over the last five or six months but this they did and the first game of a three match series was finally under way.
The first ten minutes were a very nervous and error strewn period from both sides with no player or team exerting any dominance. It seemed only a matter of time before one of those errors resulted in points. On the ten minute mark, a good penalty clearance by Fly Half Ludo Hopkinson put Middlesex in a good attacking position. A good line out and the ball was shipped to the midfield. Here the error curse struck again with a knock on. Sussex picked the ball up and attacked hard. Middlesex held the attack up just short of the line and from under the posts managed to steal the ball only to knock on again. From the resulting ruck a penalty was awarded for illegal hands and the Sussex kicker duly took the three points on offer. 3 – 0.
The following ten minutes saw Middlesex starting to settle down. The timing in the scrum was better and the width started to appear with both wingers getting their hands on the ball in space. The game patterns were now starting to appear. Sussex now under pressure still kicked cleverly but offered not much else. From such a kick Guy Bentley at 15, on for the temporarily injured Cianan Whelan, fielded and returned well. From the ruck Jack McAlister made a cutting break from scrum half, the ball went down the line to Nathaniel Barling to finish with pace in the left hand corner. 3 – 5.
With Middlesex now in the ascendancy Sussex under pressure were forcing the play. This resulted in an interception by Toby Brown at 12 just outside the Middlesex 22. Ben Lawrence was in support resisting several attempted tackles before off loading to right winger Greg Brayley. Brayley still had work to do but weaved around the final tackle to score in the top right hand corner. 3 – 10. Middlesex were now working very well with the game plan effective and off loads creating space all over the pitch. Sussex however and to their credit were not yet a beaten team. They worked their way up to the Middlesex 22, again forcing the away team to defend. This they did and when Isaac Ajayi stole the ball at a ruck he was off. Again Ben Lawrence was in support running strongly at the heart of the Sussex defence. A pass to the elusive Brayley and the result was another score. 3 – 15 and half time.
The second half got under way and from the Middlesex kick Sussex were put under immediate pressure. Sussex cleared with a kick but this was returned well by Hopkinson who put the ball in space wide right for Barling to chase. Middlesex secured an attacking lineout on the Sussex 22. The ball came off the top and was sent straight to Hopkinson and on to Toby Brown at 12. Brown went clean through the Sussex defence and Cianan Whelan, back on for Bentley, added the extras. 3- 22.
Middlesex were now gaining territory at will with Sussex starting to kick poorly from 10. It was not long before Middlesex secured another attacking line out where Harry Theologitis picked up from the back and went over for another score. 3 – 27. Both sides made changes and the game now took on a different complexion. Middlesex started losing shape and Sussex came back at them with great spirit. With a renewed determination they attacked Middlesex by carrying the ball strongly. The ball was shipped wide left and then back right, the Middlesex defence couldn’t cope and Sussex went over in the top right hand corner. 8 – 27.
Middlesex then camped themselves in the Sussex 22 and on their try line for about 10 minutes. Unfortunately the fact that their game pattern had now deserted them coupled with a determined defence from Sussex meant that Middlesex could not get the score. On the contrary it was Sussex that broke out and ran the length of the pitch to score at the other end. 15 – 27. However, from the kick off Middlesex were straight back into the Sussex 22. A penalty award quickly taken to Hopkinson and then to Jamie Zachariau who handled well to pass to Barling who went over for his second score finishing with pace once more. 15 – 32.
Again from the kick off Middlesex attacked with a weaving break from skipper Alfie Molloy. Having run half the length of the pitch an inside pass found Spencer Myers who went over for the final try. Jack McAlister added the two points to make the final score 15 – 39. So a good result with some good rugby if a little inconsistent throughout the whole game. Some things to work on but a great start with I’m sure more to come and to look forward to. Well done to the boys.
Unfortunately it was not all good news as Cianan Whelan dislocated his shoulder. He will unfortunately be out of the game for rehabilitation for an initial period of 12 weeks. We wish him a full and speedy recovery.
The Middlesex u15 A’s players were; (All played) Tom Smallbone (Pack Leader), Harry Brown, Alex Wood, Alex Barron, Matt Lewis, Isaac Ajayi, Harry Theologitis, Ben Lawrence, Jack McAlister, Ludovic Hopkinson, Nathaniel Barling, Toby Brown, Alfie Molloy (Captain), Gregory Brayley, Cianan Whelan, Nathan Higgins, Thomas Davies-Ahmed, Emeka Cole, Spencer Myers, Jonathan Woodward, Jamie Zachariou, Guy Bentley.
Match Report Under 15 B’s
Sussex 17 v Middlesex 19
Date: 1st March 2009
Venue: Worthing RFC
Since those distant ‘trials’ back in October a huge amount of time and effort has been invested in and by the U15 squad and aside from some extremely dubious ‘squealing’ when the boys first discovered their new strip laid out for them in the Worthing dressing room, their response to this groundwork has been pleasingly mature and professional…
The last 30 hours of intense preparation proved to be of huge value and the ‘away day’ initiative was a great success with the boys growing even closer together as a squad and allowing preparation to build slowly and in a most meaningful way. The squad readied themselves physically, mentally and emotionally for the task in hand reaching a crescendo at 1 minute to 2 o’clock only for our astute referee to spot that our hosts had failed to ‘flag’ the pitch, and it was left to skipper Richard Purvis to keep the team simmering for a few minutes longer…
Finally the County-season was truly underway and from the kick-off good graft from Ali Banton and a strong right-field attack from Ollie Huband saw us playing decent rugby in the right area of the field, though failing to deal effectively with a chip-through soon saw Sussex in the ‘red zone’. A penalty resulted and we relaxed only to notice, just too late that surprisingly Sussex where the beneficiaries and they crashed over for the first score (7-0). The first half saw a few missed tackles, which cost us heavily in yardage terms, with much good work establishing field position swiftly reversed by a large and strong Sussex outfit. The step up to County-level rugby was becoming all too obvious… mistakes would be punished… Further Sussex pressure saw strong tackling from George Bolster though his defensive application forced him from the field with an injury.
Good driving and clearing from the forwards and a shrewd kick from Jake Hyman was followed up by great work around the fringe by Luke Taylor and took us to the opposition 5m line. Good lineout pressure, particularly from Ollie Sanderson forced a ‘not straight’ and from the resulting scrum the ball went through the hands well and Ollie Huband, having intelligently moved from right wing to flood the centre channel, ignored the considerable overlap outside to dance to the try-line himself (7-7).
More great work from the impressive Luke Taylor secured ball for a fine cross kick that would have been a certain try for Ollie Huband but for the unfortunate bounce that instead saw us under pressure once more. Fortunately, in the dying moments of the half Sussex missed a straight forward shot at goal and as the whistle blew the score remained equal.
Both teams enjoyed good spells early in the second half with Joe Wray stealing a crucial lineout ‘against the head’, but soon afterwards Sussex stole one back and handling well moved the ball all the way left and then back in to score under the posts, conveniently though, another kick went wide (12-7).
Our backrow began to exert some authority with an excellent quick ‘tap and go’ but one of our backs was caught isolated and from the resulting penalty. Sussex again took advantage of a missed tackle to steal ‘cheap yards’ and moved the ball well to the left for another unconverted try (17-7).
The match was slipping away but a strong drive from Ali Banton seemed to reinvigorate the team and from a set lineout move on the left, Ayman Boulos stole great yards down the tramlines getting behind the Sussex defence and the ensuing quick ball allowed a fine cross kick to be fielded by Ollie Huband for a try wide out on the right (17-12).
With 10 minutes to go, fresh legs were sent on in the forwards and after great work from Toby O’Neill, running the ball out of defence, a kick and chase saw the ball bouncing around the Sussex 5m area. Despite tiring legs, Toby chased on to steal a touch down from between three Sussex defenders. Josh Moench was left with a tricky conversion attempt to take us into the lead for the first time. Josh duly obliged (17-19).
The last 5 minutes lasted at least a quarter of an hour for Middlesex players, coaches and vocal supporters alike, but eventually the referee blew for ‘no side’ and the game was ours…
Clearly there remain areas that we need to improve upon, but there are many others on which we can build… and we can all look ahead to the next game from a position of strength. Final words of praise for Richard Purvis who led the side from the front and to Luke Taylor for his man-of-the-match performance on the flank, terrific work-rate Luke, well done…
If I may plagiarise lyrics from the Kings of Leon, on Sunday “The Sex” were on fire…
Remember guys… ‘ice-cool in attack, rabid in defence…”
Nick Lambert
Team & Scorers
Ayman Boulos, Robert Gilroy, Richard Purvis©, Ollie Sanderson, Allister Banton, Joe Wray, Luke Taylor, Jonathan Edwards, Jake Hyman, Josh Moench (2 conversions), Toby O’Neill (1 try), James Deehan, Chester Robinson, Ollie Huband (2 tries), George Bolster, Leo Bentley, James Kent, Benjie Haston, Billy Cole, Nick Catto, Elliott Hurrell, Jack Green
If you have any enquiries regarding this age group please contact - Gordon Brown 07979 531 695 middlesexu15rugby@teleadapt.com or Nicky Fielder at the Middlesex County RFC on admin-middx@therfu.com 020 8896 9050
CLUB MIDDLESEX 2007 - 2008
Results:
Hampshire 5 Middlesex 8
Hamoshire B 37 Middlesex B 12
Sussex 22 Middlesex 10
Sussex B 17 Middlesex B 14
Middlesex 33 Essex 21
Middlesex B 30 Essex B 26
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