Year 7 Boys Rugby Update
Unity College Year 7 boys rugby team took to the road
yesterday evening, travelling to Blackburn rugby club to take part in the
Ribble Valley League friendly tournament. Every member of the team selected filled their place, so with a massive squad of 20 we took on tough opposition.
St. Augustines, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School (QEGS), Clitheroe Grammar
School and, newcomers to the event, Our Ladies.
With the opportunity to get an early game in, Unity College kicked off against
St. Augustines, in our first 15 a side game. In a well fought encounter, St.
Augustines took the lead twice. Each time pegged back with tries from Josef
Whitlam, with a mazey run, and Ben Larnach, respectively. Tough tackling
by both sides, and in a particularly memorable tackle, Oliver Walsh stopped the
St. Augustines prop dead in his tracks. St. Augustines tradition of fielding
excellent rugby sides continues and we look forward to seeing them in the Year
7 Burnley Rugby Championships next Monday.
In the next game it was good to see QEGS back in the fold with, typically, a
formidable side. Ben Larnach showed great resiliance to get straight back up
from a particularly crunching tackle. QEGS took the lead in this game but for
Unity to score two tries with two minutes to play. Although we could have rucked
and challenged for much more possession Unity held firm in defence in this
match despite fierce pressure from the QEGS team in the remainder of the game.
The next match gave full games to new players Sam Wallwork, Jack Wilson, Joseph
Lord, Luke Carroll, and Harry McIver, who had also been thrown in at the deep
end with time in the previous two games. A 10 a side game against Our Ladies
proved to be a useful experience. Unity and Our Ladies matched each other with
some great tackles and needed a little more straight running to make ground.
Harry McIver and Sam Wallwork seemed particularly eager to take up this
challenge and did so on several occasions. Luke Carroll, Joseph Lord and Jack
Wilson were following up with tackles and will be very strong players. With
honours even it was Unity who broke the deadlock, Max Cudworth making some good
ground before Luke Carroll crossed to end the game 5 - 0 to Unity.
In our final game we went back to a full size pitch, this time 13 a side. Our
opponents were Clitheroe Grammar School who again proved both skillful and
strong in the tackle. Ben Larnach scoring his 3rd try with James Catlow
mimicking the strong running and dragging 3 Clitheroe players over the line in
the process of scoring and receiving a bloody lip.
Bobby Beswick and the front row are learning the mysteries of the scrum. Bobby
learning quickly and getting some balls from opposition put-ins. The lineout is
also looking very solid, again Bobby providing the throw ins to our strong
looking forwards. Morgan Williams has moved into the forwards, taking up the
No. 8 position and making good ground on the field.
Utility players Josh Haddock, Luke Westall and specialist 2nd row Danyal Mahmood impressed with each game and scrum half Sam Walsh is now looking more comfortable in one of the most challenging positions.
Owen Ellis drew praise not only from Mr. Williams but the Clitheroe Grammar School teacher who singled him out after he put in some devestating tackle on his players. We did not get to see to much of some players but with the aforementioned Burnley Year 7 Championships next Monday at Burnley Rugby Club (1pm Kick off, 3pm finish) we should get to see the frightening pace of Joel Gonzalez. Oscar Reynolds and Max Cudworth will be guest captains for the Championships.
The team this year has been led from the front by Ben Beck, an absolutely perfect
leader. Strong, resilient, calm and inspiring. I should also mention at this
point, organised - helping Mr. Williams remember vital time and date details
for team sheets! Ben is likely to have broken his finger in the last game
against Clitheroe but thought nothing of wanting to stay on and help the team!
We hope it recovers for next week!
Well done to all those who took part today, everyone stepped up to the plate
and put in really pleasing performances.
Mr Williams