Shipston U15 Tour to Chichester and Worthing

Shipston U15’s travelled to Chichester and Worthing for their 2016 tour to take part in the Raiders Challenge over the weekend of 8, 9 and 10th April.

After a full day of qualifying matches on the Saturday with some great tries from Edward Turner, Freddie Symons, Henry Hopkins and Alex Sabin, Shipston faced off against Worthing in the bowl final on the Sunday.

In a tight start to the game Shipston broke away on the left and fly half Henry Hopkins raced in under the posts to score. He added the extras for 7-0.

Worthing responded well and had a period of sustained pressure in the Shipston 22, however the defensive wall held up and when scrum half Dom Hoff drove two Worthing forwards back 10 metres Shipston turned over the ball to clear their lines. The clearance kick was knocked on by Worthing on half way and from the resultant scrum quick clean ball fed Hopkins to run through. Outside Centre Marcus Creagh was on his shoulder as the full back made his tackle and a great pass from Hopkins saw Creagh run in under the posts. The extras were added and Shipston led 14-0.

A few minutes later further great defence from Shipston saw a turnover which released Creagh into open field where he returned the compliment to Hopkins who ran in under the posts for his second converted try and a score of 21-0.

Shipston now started to take control of the game and after Worthing cleared from their 22 fullback Shea Leahy collected on the center spot and swept around the defence to the right corner. Just before he touched down a high tackle stopped him but the Referee rightly awarded a penalty try. The extras went over again for 28-0 at half time.

The opening score of the second half saw a wonder try from Creagh. He collected the ball on the Shipston 10 metre line on the right and swept left across the field leaving Worthing players in his wake. A quick pass to Hopkins in the Worthing 22 followed by a pass back saw him touch down near the posts. Hopkins added the extras for 35-0.

Some pressure from Worthing from the resultant kick off saw them score a well deserved try to take the score to 35-5 but Shipston were not done. Some great work in the Worthing 22 by Finlay Walsh released Creagh for his hat-trick try.

Two more tries followed for man of the match Hopkins to take his tally to four for the game, one set up by Creagh once more and one a magical run from his own half to score near the posts on the last play.

Shipston won 54-5 with a great performance of attacking rugby set up by hard work from the pack, who dominated the set piece, and the backs with great support running.

Well done to all the players and parents who showed the true Shipston spirit on a great tour.

The Under 15 Tourers 2016 were: Alex Sabin, Ben Stapleton, Dominic Hoff, Edward Turner (Capt), Finlay Walsh, Freddie Symons, Harry Lewis, Henry Hopkins, Jack Tyler, Leo Fossett, Marcus Creagh, Mole Davies, Morgan Haylor, Patrick Anstey, Shea Leahy.