Shipston U15s win Warwickshire plate!

From the sixteen sides that started this U15 competition only four teams were left standing on finals day. Kenilworth and Silhillians in the Cup and Nuneaton and Shipston in the Plate. We all travelled to Earlsdon RFC for the last leg of the competition.

Our first game against Nuneaton earlier this season was close, and we stole it 21-19. The rematch had much more at stake and the boys seemed fired up and ready to take on the challenge.

From the outset Shipston were on the front foot. Even when Nuneaton could get their hands on the ball Shipston stifled them, and worked their way towards the try line. Nuneaton absorbed the pressure for a full 15 minutes until eventually Shipston with a move straight off the training field shipped the ball out from the breakdown through all the hands in the back line to George Verinder who ended a fantastic team move in the corner. 5-0
Joe Painter decided from the restart that we were heading back to the try line and went off on a marauding run, going head over heels at one point before continuing, definitely one for the spectators! Play moved to the middle of the field and Charlie Dews (who was in fantastic form all afternoon) won the ball, flew forward, was tackled, popped it out to George Verinder, who heard Ilyas on his shoulder, sucked in the opposition to give Ilyas the opening to go over the try line. Fantastic stuff! 10-0
Nuneaton fought back, but they were clutching at straws, kicking the ball away, missing passes, fumbling and missing tackles. They were really feeling the pressure. Shipston’s defence held firm until Nuneaton, in our 22, broke through. Shipston’s panic clearance gave them the ball again and they ran through for their first try, under the posts, which they subsequently converted. 10-7
Shipston came straight back and were awarded a scrum just on the 22, the pack secured the ball, the ball was passed out and went along the line to George V who wasn’t stopping for anything and popped the ball down under the posts, ably converted by George H to make the score at half time 17-7. A real team try.

From the restart there was a nervous moment when the ball went short; not for long however. The pack were managing the scrum well, despite quite a weight disadvantage. Shipston won the scrum, the ball passed out to Alistair who pinned back his ears and finished beautifully to score 22-7.
Shipston soon had the ball again and Sam made good ground, Nuneaton briefly took the ball for Adam to steal it, chip through and with a wicked bounce Ilyas gathered it to pop it over the line. 27-7
Joe Painter was clearly feeling left out and took the ball the full length of the field through at least seven opposition players to score a stunning individual try, they really didn’t know what had hit them! George H converted to make the score 34-7
Play slowed and Nuneaton moved forward, some good defence from Jonno got the ball into Shipston hands and the ball was kicked clear. The Nuneaton full back took it well and looked up to see Charlie Dews bearing down on him, he was tackled and seconds later Charlie had turned the ball over and popped it to Joe who took off down the field, with Ilyas on his shoulder who finished the move off. 39-7
Nuneaton were determined to score and Shipston were struggling to stay on side. Having heard the refs whistle against Shipston three times they backed off and gave Nuneaton space to score under the posts, converted. 39-14.
Play moved back up the field and again the power of moving the ball out was confirmed when from some powerful work by the forwards the ball spun out to Charlie Dews who scored under the posts which George H duly converted.46-14
With fire in their bellies again the forwards won the ball and it was spun all the way out to Sam on the wing for him to finish another classy try. 51-14
Nuneaton came back and in the last play of the game scored to make the final score 51-21.

A great morning’s rugby, demonstrating so many of the skills the boys have been learning and the power of the forwards, despite sizeable opposition. Today the backs excelled, the ball moved through so many hands to make them dominant and the try line inundated. It has been a great season, and the fantastic coaching we have had really shone through today to win Shipston U15s some very well deserved silverware.

The boys made us all proud!

The victorious team:
George Hendy (cap), Joe Painter, George McGinn, Jonno Todd, Harry Fothergill, Devon Perry, Archie Wood, Ilyas Aarfi, Will Flynn, Henry McCarthy, Charlie Dews, Adam Lane, George Verinder, Zac Cooper, Alex Bradley, Max Morris, Jack Deans, Charlie Bygate, Sam Lewis, Arlie Williams, Timmy Briggs, Harrison Costar, Alistair McCallum