Shipston U15s on form

The sun was out for a great mornings rugby at Loxley Road, Stratford’s home ground, for a three way match, first against Evesham and then the amalgamated Alcester and Stratford side. The boys were there in numbers with two full back lines, it was just as well there was lots of rugby ?

Game 1: Evesham
The first game saw the mighty Shippo take on Evesham who we know are a strong side. The game started at quite a pace with a lovely steal by Jack Deans who set the tone for the afternoon, and his own performance, by charging through the opposition and off loading; a team move ensued, finished off by Joe P going over for the first try of the afternoon. 5-0
The rams were in rampaging form with Charlie Dews going over to make it 10-0. Special mention goes to Alex who ran some beautiful lines in support. The teamwork continued and the boys worked on their set moves. We saw the ball move from one side of the pitch to the other. The next try was run in by Adam, finishing off a team move by Zack and Charlie Dews. 15-0. Joe P was soon off and running again to score the next with some individual flair. 20-0.
A lovely run by Harry took play forward, and a scrum followed. The scrum's sheer power was hard for Evesham to handle and Zack picked up from the back and sprinted over the line to make it 25-0. The work the boys have been doing was in good evidence and Charlie Dews, playing centre, showed super speed to finish off a team move to conclude the half 30-0

The back line saw wholesale change and the boys took a few minutes to settle. Evesham came on for the second half more organised and determined. Soon however the new legs got the ball moving forward and the next score came from Joe flying up the far side of the pitch, popping the ball to Adam who dived over for 35-0.

Maybe it was because they had got so far ahead, but the game started to get a bit messy, some of the set moves didn’t get employed as planned and the ball went loose. Evesham were making Shipston work.

There were some great performances to note, Charlie B's support play was consistently excellent, Harry really got the bit between his teeth and his level of involvement was intense, Henry came on for the second half and set to organising his backs, he was great and always seemed to be one step ahead.

Won. 35-0

Game 2: Alcester
For the first half Zack and Henry swapped sides to support Alcester and made real nuisances of themselves! Well done both.
Alcester played well and spent some time in Shipston’s half. From a scrum virtually on the 22 Adam picked from the back and stormed up the field. The omnipresent George H was in support and took the pass, fed an outrageous dummy to the opposition to make good ground, before offloading to Charlie Dews for the first try of the game. 0-5
The boys were off again and on the back of a set move with some lovely running plays sent Sam over for his first try of the afternoon. 0-10
Then came the try of the afternoon. Harry the marauder decided it was his turn and made good ground, the ball popped up and Declan flew over for his first try. A great score and testament to the excellent positioning he had been deploying all afternoon. 0-15.
Sam was next up and showed his speed with his second of the afternoon. 0-20

The boys were a little inconsistent and the half had seemed scrappy at times, they were loose around the breakdown and needed to tighten up ball protection. However this is a minor criticism and it was lovely to see the ball move so much and the amount of driving over. When they got a move together the boys looked very, very impressive.

For the second half Will and Charlie D swapped sides. Well done both.
This half they looked on it and kept their structure (for you Rob!). Off the back of a wide ball and some dynamic play George V flew in like a tornado to make it 0-25. To round off a very good afternoon Joe P got his hat trick to leave the final score 0-30.

A special mention goes to Pete Deans who refereed all three games. He earned a pint or two, especially at the speed the boys were moving!

Today’s sorry souls are:
Sylvie V for not only failing to equip her son adequately for today’s match, but for admitting to it and requesting retribution.
George V for allowing this to happen.
Joe P for genuine silliness on the pitch, especially comments to ref such as 'Can we do something other than scrum' and wasting effort running in unnecessary tries when they’re not.
Declan for making us wait three years for a try when it is clear he has always been able to and was just avoiding his mum's reaction on the sideline.
Sam I for being the embarrassing mother of the week (giving Lou Dews a week off).
Lou Dews for lots of things but mostly for the HEINOUS crime of mixing her balls.

Recompense will be sought on tour in March, family members will be substitutionally penalised in case of any absence