HUDDERSFIELD U19 27 OLD BRODLEIANS U19 12
Huddersfield set up semi final place in Yorkshire cup
BODSWORTH'S BRACE SEALS CUP-TIE VICTORY
In an entertaining and hard fought cup-tie, the home side prevailed thanks to two smartly taken tries by the much improved James Bodsworth who backed up well on several occasions to make his presence felt. He was one of several players on view who had played most of their rugby this year with the second XV and on the evidence of this match the experience was serving them well and augurs well for the future of player development at the club.
It certainly didn’t start out so well for Huddersfield and ‘Brods’ opened up with some fine attacking play well orchestrated by their scrum half Peel. After some prolonged attacks it was no surprise when the visitor’s flanker Worsley went over under the posts for a well deserved try. The home side made light of the poor playing conditions to move into some sustained attacking positions but could not convert their pressure into points after a series of attacking set pieces close to the ‘Brods’ line. Their only reward came from a penalty by Scrimshaw to make the half time score 3-7 to the visitors.
The second half opened with both sides initiating some positive attacking play in conditions more suited to old - fashioned kick and chase. Huddersfield were finally rewarded when Davies broke from a maul on half-way and whilst not having the pace he did have the presence of mind to slow down and await support from the industrious Bodsworth who carried to the try line with several defenders in his wake. With the conversion the home side were ahead for the first time but ‘Brods’ showed commendable spirit and fashioned a try from centre Darcy after some sustained attacking play. Although the conversion was missed that score took the visitors back into the lead and Huddersfield knew they were in a battle to progress to the semi-finals.
A penalty from Scrimshaw took the home side into a one-point lead but they were then reduced to 14 men when Cherwa was harshly yellow carded for dangerous use of the boot. To be fair to the referee, it probably looked far worse than it was and in the context of what had been a clean and robust contest a penalty would have sufficed.
The home side were in need of some re-organisation and inspiration and it came when the newly returned Hirst off loaded in the tackle to the ubiquitous Bodsworth who crashed over under the posts. The conversion took the home side into a crucial 8 points lead as they sought victory. That was assured when in a desperate attempt to play out of their own half ‘Brods’ mid-field backs dropped the ball and Hirst’s pace after the hack on saw him score an opportunist try under the posts for an insurmountable lead before the final whistle.
Both sides are to be congratulated on their endeavours and Huddersfield were well rewarded with a place in the semi-final for the first time. This will be against Middlesbrough on March 25th at Lockwood Park
Posted 15/11/06
Huddersfield RUFC
Academy Match Report
Sunday 12 November 2006
Away to Heath RUFC
Team:
- 1 Phil Dearman 9 Simon Brook
- 2 Lee Joyce 10 Matt Booth
- 3 Jack Rowan 11 Chris Bamford
- 4 Sam Slater 12 Tom Sharrock
- 5 Scott Quarmby 13 Jasper Cox
- 6 Josh Quarmby 14 Greg West
- 7 Tom Wise 15 Tom Morgan
- 8 Nick Rodgers (Capt)
Report:
After 3 defeats so far in the league, the Academy was on a mission to win this game. Restoring some pride back into the team was important to all the lads and it wasn’t going to be easy at Heath who always field a committed organised side with most previous encounters ending in defeat for Huddersfield.
From the starting kick, the Huddersfield squad looked like they meant business, putting immediate pressure on Heath’s defensive line. With uncontested scrums, it gave the Huddersfield forwards the opportunity to use their strength in the maul with a stupendous push for the try line in the first 10 minutes, making at least 50 yards. They were unlucky not to get a try as it caught Heath on the back foot.
Huddersfield had 70% of the possession in the first half and carried the ball well using the extra weight in the forward pack in the rolling maul. Line outs were excellent and Scott Quarmby was outstanding, picking off ball from the Heath line out as well as winning Huddersfield ball. Good interplay by the half backs Simon Brook and Matt Booth made excellent space for the Huddersfield backs to punch through Heath defences with Tom Sharrock in the centre.
The breakthrough came later on in the second half when full back Tom Morgan displayed quick thinking and a great turn of speed to fox the Heath back line, running in a well deserved try for Huddersfield. Hooker Lee Joyce made it 7 points with a straight conversion. Heath pushed on however and as Huddersfield relaxed, looked dangerously close to scoring with some good handling. A brilliant run across the pitch by skipper Nick Rodgers saved a certain try with a great cover tackle. This was the only chance in the first half that Heath came close to scoring.
Heath were no push over though, with strong runners in their back line and almost scored. With some errors creeping into play Huddersfield gave away a penalty just into the Heath half. Opting for a kick at goal, Heath took 3 points with a tremendous kick from 40 yards.
The second half took on a different aspect as both teams looked tired, but nonetheless determined. With end to end play, the teams looked well matched, but still Heath couldn’t score. The Huddersfield lads dug deep and defended well.
Even though conscious of the need to avoid injury, with no available subs on the day, the Academy lads showed no mercy on Heath with some great tackling and fearlessness in the ruck, getting turnover ball time and time again. Matt Booth displayed great courage in defence but took a knock to the head half way through the second half which resulted in him leaving the field.
With only 14 players on and no subs, the Academy stuck at it with resolute determination to win the game. Tom Wise grubbed away for the ball time and again and won possession for Huddersfield at the ruck. Time was ticking away for Heath who needed a try but with the Hudds lads in this mood it just didn’t come. When the final whistle blew, the cheers could be heard all the way up the by-pass to Huddersfield. A well deserved win as a result of a great all round team performance. I hope the England team were watching….
Dawn Scott
Academy Manager
Posted 24/10/06
Huddersfield RUFC Academy
Away game v Yarnbury RUFC 22 October 2006
MATCH REPORT
Team Sheet:
15 Marcus Hornby 1 Phil Dearman
14 Chris Bamford 2 Lee Joyce
13 Adam Ryder 3 Sam Slater
12 M Shoaib “Shu” Ali 4 Scott Quarmby
11 Alex Brook 5 Jack Rowan
10 Matt Booth 6 Josh Quarmby
9 Simon Brook 7 Danny Care
- Nick Rodgers (Capt)
Subs:
16 Peter Howgill 17 Henry Perry
18 Olly Scrimshaw 18 Chris LeRoy
Result Yarnbury win 17-0
A poor start to the game saw Huddersfield Academy go down to an early try from Yarnbury within the first 5 minutes; the kicker unable to convert for a full 7 points.
Despite some desperate defending by the pack, Huddersfield were unable to contain the home team’s enthusiasm and gave away a scrum on the 5-yard line, which resulted in another 5 points for Yarnbury, again not converted.
Huddersfield Academy’s current injury situation had forced a draft in of 8 U17 players, making up most of the back line all of which showed great determination despite the organised opposition. Some strong tackling by “Shu” Ali kept out a fast moving Yarnbury team who piled on the pressure for Huddersfield. Marcus Hornby displayed a cool head at full back to and managed to make good ground to help Huddersfield press forward.
A dubious decision saw a further try awarded to Yarnbury scored off a Huddersfield lineout with the Yarnbury scrum half on the other side of the lineout before the ball was caught! Third time lucky for the kicker saw Huddersfield down 17-0 at half time.
All the Subs were brought on in the second half, which provided some fresh impetus for the Academy. Nick Rodgers put in a gritty performance and helped present some great opportunities for the backs that started to make life difficult for the home team. In particular some brilliant support play by Olly Scrimshaw and Alex Brook almost gave Huddersfield their first try early in the second half.
Lineouts were to be Huddersfield’s downfall overall, despite winning a number of penalties, they were unable to provide enough ball to the backs to get into a scoring position. In spite of taking the game to Yarnbury in the second half, playing mostly in their half of the field, Huddersfield ended the game with no points and two players having been binned. As the song goes - things can only get better!
