|
Huddersfield Rugby Union Lockwood Park Huddersfield HD4 6EN T. 01484 469801 F. 01484 469880 E. info@huddersfieldrugby.com |
BUMPER SEASON FOR HUDDERSFIELD RUFC ACADEMY!
Huddersfield Rugby Union Academy Squad has had a bumper season so far during 2007/08. With a winning streak in the league, the U19s have only lost one of their league fixtures this year and are continuing to do well in the Yorkshire Cup and most recently the National Cup Competition.
This is not so bad for a team made up mainly of U18s and regularly supported by U17s. It only serves to demonstrate that the coaching strategy for development of in-house talent is working well at Huddersfield with a number of young players winning District and County honours. Last Season’s Young Player of the Year, Ben Harris is now a regular in the first team, having represented Yorkshire in County games. Danny Ramsden captained the Yorkshire U18 County side and continues to be a lynchpin of the pack for the Academy squad.
Other players who have been invited to play for the First Team include Tom Morgan (out at present due to injury) and Olly Scrimshaw who is building back up after a number of weeks out following a major hit during a first team game before Christmas. Second XV caps have been won by Tom Smith and Sam Slater and one player to watch is newcomer to Lockwood Park Greg Johnson; another Yorkshire Representative playing at Inside Centre.
With other outstanding performances this season from Fran Entressengle and Nick Rodgers, the team is building on success to date. There are a number of U17 players who have played for the Senior Academy this season and made a fantastic contribution to the league and cup success. Two notable players include Yorkshire representative Billy Dempsey, who earned his stripes with the Academy in the early part of the season and along with Tom Van Rooyen (District representative) both have slotted into position with ease. Billy has recently been invited to tour New Zealand with the Yorkshire U18 squad.
Saturday sees the team travel to Nuneaton RUFC in the fifth round of the National Cup. The U19s have not gone this far in the national competition before, but having made light work of Aldwinians in the 3rd round winning 40-0 and then facing tough competition from North East opponents Horden in the last round, the team are determined to go further.
Great credit goes to Coaches Bill Duncombe, Paul Harris, Jim Brook and Bob Heppleston for the team’s achievements this year, who have trained both Junior and Senior Academy squads together. The Yorkshire Division 3 leaders will be touring to Dublin at Easter: let’s hope they take the luck of the Irish with them to Nuneaton this weekend!