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Focus on the talented U15s who are lacking numbers

Focus on the talented U15s who are lacking numbers

Natalie Davidson16 Oct 2014 - 19:30
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TWO defeats against two of Hampshire’s strongest clubs have given Ian Farrell’s talented U15s side a testing start to the new campaign

The biggest problem, says Ian, is the size of the squad.

‘A squad of 22 players are permitted in the Hampshire competitions, (15 players and 7 subs).

‘We travel with just 18 players but this week could only muster 15 boys for the trip resulting in no subs.

‘This is hard when the opposition are brining on fresh legs during the game.

‘We are always on the lookout for more members and would welcome any Year 10 pupils who fancy trying rugby and becoming members of a very successful and friendly team.’

Last season, as the RBSI Guernsey U14s, the squad conceded just one match coming second to Jersey in the Sussex leagues.

They then finished their season by claiming victory in their Siam Cup game.

This season as U15s, Guernsey moved from Sussex to play in the Hampshire competitions and have been placed in Division One along with the top four teams in Hampshire: Trojans, Winchester, Havant and New Milton.

Ahead of that move development officer Steve Melbourne has spent time during the closed season bringing together the Academy youth squad coaches and Jordan Reynolds, the GRFC 1st team coach, with the idea of aligning some of the coaching methods.

Training using these new methods is going well although achieving this in a structured game, where communication is key, is proving interesting for the U15’s.

The first game for the RBSI Guernsey U15’s in the Hampshire Competitions was against Trojans, probably the top team in Hampshire.

The game started poorly with Guernsey going down two tries in the first ten minutes which is becoming a bit of a pattern this season.

Guernsey won the second half but could not pull back the deficit and the game ended Trojans 43, Guernsey 12.

Then, last weekend, the side were edged out against a strong New Milton side.

The match started with New Milton kicking to Guernsey but Guernsey were on the back foot from the start.

Despite some strong running from back row John Le Noury, Guernsey found themselves 17 points down after just 10 minutes, mainly due to poor defence.

With Dan Moore going off injured this left Guernsey with 14 players.

Having got into their stride Guernsey proved strong moving forward, and after a few strong phases of play from the forwards, scrum half Ben Holland spun the ball out to the backs.

Some smooth hands led the ball to Will Mason, who then created some space with his strong running.

A skilful offload to winger Toby Meller and a strong run put the number 11 away in the corner.

Leon Collenette added the extra points.

Shortly after the re-start, a dropped ball was pounced on by Guernsey.

The ball was passed to the full-back, Mason, who went on a storming break and travelled over the line for another five points.

The second half was a mirror image start of the first with Guernsey conceding every try through poor defensive play and New Milton broke away from the Guernsey boys with a couple of opportunistic tries.

Despite being a few tries down the forward pack grew in confidence and put up a strong fight.

After 10 minutes of deadlock, Guernsey put the pressure on, and against strong opposition both Toby Glass and Mason crossed the white wash with determination.

Guernsey continued with this good spell of play and after strong rucking from the pack the ball fell to Collenette who with great skill, chipped the ball on and gathered to score Guernsey’s fifth and final try.

Overall the Guernsey squad were pleased with their performance but there is still a lot to work on, defensively and in attack.

Squad: Cameron Mitchel-Bell, Michael Borman, Leon Collenette, Ruben Falla, Ethan Farrell, Benjamin Holland, Toby Glass, Alex Kilminster, John Le Noury, William Mason, Toby Meller, Daniel Moore, Morgan Sales, Charles Taylor, and Thomas Teasdale.

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