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Juniors U15 Archive |
Gateshead
Fell Sunday March 1st
The first game against Durham School was as the score line indicates a very one-sided game, with most of the points being scored down the wings. However we learnt and in the next game against Hymers we played with more width and made them work for the win, losing this time by only 2 points. With two games under our belts, things were starting to make sense and in the King’s game we played some outstanding rugby to win with a 2 point margin. With Ampleforth we again put all we had learned into practice and in a match that saw some of the best rugby of the day, we were just not strong enough to take the win, losing by one try in the closing mins of the game. By the time the last game against Ashfield, we had it sorted winning by a 7 point margin.
Final winners were Sedbergh (Brown shirts for those of you who were there).
A huge to the team of Sam, Lewis, Joe, Hendo, Brad, Ed, Jack, Michael and Marcus. And special thanks to Robert (Monti) who came down to watch and ended up playing in borrowed boots and someone’s school PE shorts. Big thanks also to the supporters, who seemed to make more noise that any other group….
Sunday had us playing a return fixture against Stockton, I remember it was on a snow covered pitch on a particularly cold day. So the weather on Sunday was a good contrast.
The game kicked off with 14 aside (Stockton had some missing players & City had some injuries. City made a good start, pushing over the line to score the first points. Sadly the conversion was not forthcoming. Durham 5 – Stockton 0 After play resumed, Stockton put up a strong defence and play continued with both sides putting up counter attacks. Eventually the pressure told and tiring City lost concentration, allowing Stockton over the line to score. Again a missed conversion, left the first half score at: Durham 5 – Stockton 5 With the scores level, play resumed. Again Stockton put City under pressure, with some very forceful play, forcing the ball eventually over the city line to go one try up. Again no conversion leaving a 5 point lead. Durham 5 – Stockton 10 The City squad were paying for the exertions of Saturday but eventually the side found some reserves to mount an attack on the Stockton line and run home a third try. This time the kicking gods looked favourably on the attempted and City took a 2 point lead. Durham 12 – Stockton 10 It looked like this sender lead was not going to be enough to hold off a determined Stockton as they kept City under pressure. Until after some ill tempered play by both sides, City made a point by pushing over the Stockton line for 5 more points. As before the kicking gods were on our side and the successful conversion took the closing score to: Durham
19 – Stockton 10 Wednesday
Training @ Club 7:30 – 9:00 “A good weekend of Rugby (but not the England match)!! ” Saturday saw City field a Sevens side in a tournament run by Durham School at Maiden Castle. This was the first time we have ever played Sevens and at the start it had more similarity with a “teen movie”, where the under dogs turn up in borrowed strip etc. than a rugby match. But… once we got the first match under our belts, things seemed to improve. Durham School 24 - DCR 5 Hymers 19 - DCR 17 King’s 12 - DCR 14 Ampleforth 12 - DCR 7 Ashville 15 - DCR 22
The first game against Durham School was as the score line indicates a very one-sided game, with most of the points being scored down the wings. However we learnt and in the next game against Hymers we played with more width and made them work for the win, losing this time by only 2 points. With two games under our belts, things were starting to make sense and in the King’s game we played some outstanding rugby to win with a 2 point margin. With Ampleforth we again put all we had learned into practice and in a match that saw some of the best rugby of the day, we were just not strong enough to take the win, losing by one try in the closing mins of the game. By the time the last game against Ashfield, we had it sorted winning by a 7 point margin.
Final winners were Sedbergh (Brown shirts for those of you who were there) they were just a league apart.
A huge to the team of Sam, Lewis, Joe, Hendo, Brad, Ed, Jack, Michael and Marcus. And special thanks to Robert (Monti) who came down to watch and ended up playing in borrowed boots and someone’s school PE shorts. Big thanks also to the supporters, who seemed to make more noise that any other group…. Sunday had us playing a return fixture against Stockton, who we had beaten late last year. I remember it was on a snow covered pitch on a particularly cold day. So the weather on Sunday was a good contrast – even if some took shelter behind the hedge in the “City Supporters Dugout”. Stockton are in a similar position to us last year, struggling for numbers and so were only able to field 12 players, which was supplemented by JoshD and MarkW (thanks guys)
The game kicked off with 14 aside and City made a good start, pushing over the line to score the first points. Sadly the conversion was not forthcoming. After play resumed, Stockton put up a strong defence play continued with both sides putting up solid defences and counter attacks. Eventually the pressure told and tiring City team lost concentration and allowed Stockton over the line to score. Again a missed conversion, left the first half score at: Durham 5 – Stockton 5
With the scores level, play resumed. Again Stockton put City under pressure, with some very forceful play, forcing the ball eventually over the city line to go one try up. Again no conversion leaving a 5 point lead.
Durham 5 – Stockton 10
At the restart it was evident that some of the City squad were paying for the exertions of Saturday but eventually the side found some reserves to mount an attack on the Stockton line and run home the third home try. This time the kicking gods looked favourably on the attempted and City took a 2 point lead.
Durham 12 – Stockton 10
It looked like this sender lead was not going to be enough to hold off a determined Stockton as they kept City under pressure. Until after some ill tempered play by both sides, City made a point by pushing over the Stockton line for 5 more points. As before the kicking gods were on our side and the successful conversion took the closing score to:
Durham 19 – Stockton 10
Sunday Game. Darlington Mowden Park Darlington
Mowden Park Rugby Football Club
On a very cold and at times snowy Sunday, City took on an Acklem side who stept in when the Ryton fixture fell through. In spite of the inclement weather, there was a good turn out of both players and supporters, who were rewarded by a competitive game from both sides. As
the last snow shower passed and the sky lightened, the game started
with City holding a very determined Acklem side on the home line.
It was almost inevitable that this pressure would result in a
try and Acklem weren't to be denied. However the gusting wind
prevented the conversion. Durham City 0 – Acklam 5 Play restarted and again City were under pressure but able to make progress in the oppositions half. Time and time the ball was carried towards the away line, only to have it lost in the tackle or missed pass. Towards the end of the first half, Acklem capitalised on this and pushed City back to their own line and despite some spirited defence. The away score was forthcoming, again the weather prevented the conversion – taking the score line to: Durham City 0 – Acklam 10 The restart saw the resumption of City pushing in the away half, only to loose the ball and have to fight to regain again. The half ended without further score. Following a short half time (which everybody was thankful for – especially those with chattering teeth on the sidelines) play resumed. This time the tables seemed to be reversed, City pressurised Acklem from the off, moving the ball round with a new found confidence, which quickly rewarded with an excellent try by Robert Montanrarini (Monti). Sadly the wind prevented a good attempt at the conversion by Brad Kelly. Taking the score to: Durham City 5 – Acklam 10 Play moved back into the pattern established in the earlier phases of the game, City trying to move the ball around, but not able to make any real progress into the away half. Acklem kept the pressure up and it was inevitable that a score was coming, which it did when the away side drove over the City line. This time the conversion was forthcoming, moving the score to: Durham City 5 – Acklam 17 Despite some determined play by both sides, the score remained unchanged to the whistle, which brought to a close a very cold but good spirited game. Worthy of special mention: try scorer Robert Montanrarini (Monti), "Man of the Match" Josh Henderson (Hendo) and Josh Davies who had a fantastic game playing for Acklem.
After a delayed start and with a stand-in ref, the match started on a very wet and muddy pitch - but at least the sun came out. From the off it, was very apparent the type of game it was going to be, Sunderland is a very direct, well drilled side, who play a very uncompromising form of rugby. The first 10mins remained scoreless, with City defending with zeal. But it was only a matter of time before Sunderland were able to force themselves over the line to score, however the conditions made the conversion difficult and it was not forthcoming. As play continued it became very much a battle of willpower, Sunderland attacking with passion and City matching them in defence. Eventually though Sunderland was able to score again, but not convert. Taking the score line to City 0 – Sunderland 10. This seemed to signal a change in City's resolve and Sunderland gained a further 10 points before the half time whistle. The
second half started much as the first ended with Sunderland scoring
twice in the first 10 mins. Taking the score line to City 0 –
Sunderland 30. The remainder of the half continued the battle
of resolve, with City stating to put pressure on Sunderland but
without result, until eventually Sunderland scored once more.
Leaving the final score as City 0 – Sunderland 35.
City seemed to take a while to get going on Sunday against West. From the off West seemed the more determined side, with a couple of key players making the City defence work hard. This pressure was rewarded by a try, 6 mins into the game, which converted, gave West a 7 point lead. Durham continued to hold the West attack with some good defensive work, until a missed tackle allowed the opposition to cross the line again. This time the conversion was not forthcoming and West had to settle for 5 points, taking them to 12 point lead. After this City seemed to wake up, they were still under pressure but the play moved more in the West half and after a very impressive run from Lewis down the line. Sam was able to use his considerable power to carry him over the line to score. The conversation successfully taken by Michael, give City their first points and took the score to Durham 7 – West 12. Despite a couple of other attacks by City, the score remained unchanged until half-time. In the second half, City seemed to loose the attacking edge again and it wasn't long before West capitalised on this to score. With a missed conversion, the score was Durham 7 – West 17. Again Durham seemed to change gear and contest more for the ball, making good progress until one of the West players was unfortunately injured and the game had to be stopped. All reports indicate the player is recovering and we wish him well.
Due to lack of numbers on the Stockton part, the game kicked off with 13 men a piece. From the whistle City were on the attack and it wasn't long before this pressure was rewarded with an impressive try tight in the corner from JoeT. But despite a valiant effort, City were unsuccessful at converting the try. At the restart, Stockton went on the offensive and in ther face of some impressive defending, managed to force their way across the City line, however they to unable to convert the try, the scores were Durham 5 – Stockton 5. City not put off by the try against them, immediately counter attacked, giving LewisW an opportunity to use his speed and power to crash over the line for another try in the corner. Again City made an excellent attempt on goal only to narrowly miss the 2 points. Stockton, although struggling to move the ball around, undoubtedly had a weight advantage in most areas of the field and used it to their benefit to score again. Which with the missed conversion levelled the scores again at Durham 10 – Stockton 10. In the latter stages of the first half City started to play a more dominant form of rugby, forcing Stockton to leave an opening for AndrewM (Mecca)to run one home under the posts. With an easy conversion for the 2 extra points Durham took a 7 point lead. Almost on half-time City were again successful at crossing the Stockton line when LewisW forced his way over, leaving an impossible kick. At the end of the first half the score line was Durham 25 – Stockton 10 Second half got off to a good start with another City try, as MichaelF got his name on the score sheet; it was not the day for kicking and despite City's best efforts the 2 extra points were not forthcoming. Even through they were behind, Stockton did not give up and used their weight advantage to put City under a lot of pressure, showing up some City defensive weakness's and a Stockton try. It was an awful day for kicking and the addition to the Stockton score line remained 5 points. But here was still fight left in City's game and RobertM (Monti) made a very impressive run up the wing to place the ball over the Stockton line in the corner, leaving another virtually impossible conversion and the score line Durham 32 – Stockton 15 Not to be out done Stockton got the last score of the game leaving a final score line of Durham 23 – Stockton 20. Man
of the Match was Andrew Metcaffe (Mecca) for his performance in
a number of positions Sunday
16th November Durham City 53 Yarm 7 Following last week's victory, the team were on a high going in to the match with Yarm, you could see it the dressing room and more importantly, see it on the pitch. This
new found confidence was vindicated, when from the Yarm kick-off
Lewis Willson ran the almost length of the pitch to score. After
the restart it became more and more evident that City was the
dominant side, with Yarm only occasionally making progress against
us. City continued to rack up points, with Robert Montanrarini
(Monty) showing a good turn of speed down the wing to score two
impressive tries. Half-time Score Durham City 24 Yarm 7 The second half started much as the first had ended, with a confident City in control and continuing their scoring ways. With an impressive further 5 tries, one by Monty taking his total for the game to 3, two by Michael Foster, one more for Lewis making his total 2 and not to be left out one by Alex Swart. And as if to reinforce the victory, Patrick Claber converted with a very impressive kick from the side-lines to bring the final score to. Final Score Durham City 53 Yarm 7 It worth saying that Yarm were under strength and had four of our players playing for them, but that said it was a really good performance by City. A big thanks to the guys who played for Yarm, I know some of you were unhappy about playing against your mates. But the Yarm coach was very impressed by your performances and commitment so again a huge thanks. Man
of the match Joe Thompson for his defensive work. Sunday 9th November Durham City U15 19 vs Horden U15 14 Following a strong start by Horden, crossing the Durham line in the first five minutes of the game, all was set for another lacklustre City performance. But as the half progressed City's defence strengthened, with considerable passages of play in the oppositions half. When Horden scored again following a loss of concentration by City, it looked as if Durham were going to falter. But no, city continued to defend and grow in confidence, eventually getting on the score sheet towards the end of the first half, when Michael Foster forced his way over the line. Taking the score to Durham City 7 Hordon 14 The second half started as the first had ended, with Durham playing with renewed confidence. This was highlighted when following the Hordon kick off Sam Geldard, ran almost the length of the field to score. Horden showed a considerable resolve and attacked with passion and determination, but City's defence was strong and held off prolonged periods of pressure. Durham took the lead, in the middle of the second half, when Lewis Wilson used his undoubted speed and power to cross the Horden line, giving City a 5 point lead. In the last 10 minutes of the game, Horden were almost camped on the city line in an effort to score but City put up what must have been their the best defensive performance of all time, to hold Hordon off and record the first victory of the season. Man of the match Sam Geldard Final
Score Durham City 19 - Hordon 14 Sunday
November 9th 2008 The second half started as the first had ended, with Durham playing with renewed confidence. This was highlighted when following the Hordon kick off Sam Geldard, ran almost the length of the field to score. Horden showed a considerable resolve and attacked with passion and determination, but City's defence was strong and held off prolonged periods of pressure. Durham took the lead, in the middle of the second half, when Lewis Wilson used his undoubted speed and power to cross the Hordon line, giving City a 5 point lead. In the last 10 minutes of the game, Horden were almost camped on the city line in an effort to score but City put up what must have been their the best defensive performance of all time, to hold Hordon off and record the first victory of the season. Man of the match Sam Geldard Final
Score Durham City 19 - Hordon 14 Sunday 26th October Durham
City 22 vs Blaydon 50
In
the second half Durham again started to get their game together
with Lewis crossing the Blaydon line a further two times making
his Bringing the final score to Durham 22 Blaydon 50 Man
of the Match: Lewis Wilson Sunday 19th October Durham 5 Billingham 55 A
better motivated Durham side took to the pitch against a strong
Billingham on Sunday.. In
a game that became increasingly bad tempered Durham continued
to put up a strong defence and Billingham continued to take advantage
of City's mistakes. But despite the mounting score line against
them, City showed a huge amount of heart and determination, which
was rewarded by a controversial try by Harvey Howard. Sadly despite
Billingham being down a man (yellow card), Durham were not able
to build on this as Billingham scored shortly afterwards and the
game was stopped on points difference. Of individual note was Joe Thompson who was awarded man of the match for him commitment and determination. Thanks also to our newest player Adam Huitson who had a great first game for us. Sunday 12th October Durham City U15 vs Westoe U15 Durham 0 – Westoe 50 Not having a game last week, the hope was that an invigorated and rested Durham side would take to the field against Westoe. But the match started with an early try by Westoe, which seemed to show them the way through the Durham line and set the pattern for the rest of the game. Durham was on the back foot right throughout the game and despite some short periods of play where they were competitive, never managed to get over the Westoe line. There were some spirited individual performances but even these were not sufficient to lift the Durham game. Sunday 28th of September West Hartlepool 47 - Durham 5 A good solid performance that did not reflected the overall score line. Durham made a good start in the first half, tackling with enthusiasm and skill to hold a very strong West side at bay. But it was inevitable under such pressure that mistakes would happen and that West would be quick to capitalise on them. Despite such pressure Durham did manage to across the West line. When in the first half Lewis Wilson one of our new players made a very impressive run and broke through the west defence to score. The second half got off to a poor start for Durham, when the focus present in the first half was lost and they paid for it in the score line. However the they pulled themselves through and finished the half much in the same form as they played the first. Sunday 21st Of September Durham City U 15 0 - Northern U15 49 Not even the sun could help Durham City Under 15's get their season off to a winning start against a strong Northern Under 15 side. With a score line of Northern 49 – Durham City 0, it would appear to have been a very one sided game. However for good portions of the game, City put up a spirited defence with a number of the newer players making their presence felt and even on occasions threatened the opposition's line. But Northern were just too strong and broke through the City line 6 times by the end of the first half. In the second half, in spite of being 42 points down, City still tried to make some headway but to no avail and with the 7th Northern try the match was ended. Given this was the first match of the season and that the side had a welcome number of new players on the field, many of whom were new to Rugby Union, it was not the result that mattered - it was the heart showed by the team through out the game, which gives us hope for the future.
Sunday 9th November Durham
City 19 vs Horden 14 Sunday
November 9th 2008 Durham
City 22 vs Blaydon 50
Sunday 19th October Durham
5 Billingham 55 Sunday 12th October Durham City U15 vs Westoe U15 Durham
0 – Westoe 50 Sunday 28th of September West Hartlepool 47 - Durham 5
Sunday 21st Of September Durham City U 15 0 - Northern U15 49
County Honours Congratulations to James White and Alex Swart, who both earned County Colours on Sunday against Northumberland, James also got his name on the score sheet with an excellent try. Congratulations also go to Josh Tucker who was in action with the County League side on Saturday.
Tour Shirts I need all shirt money in on Wednesday, so if you want one please bring you money and size to training.
Tour The itinerary will be out soon – promise…. I still need paint ball deposits for all the players who are planning to have a go – by Sunday please.
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Tel: 0191 386 1172 |