News - Under 15's
Match Report
Date: Sunday 18th January 2009: Venue: West Park Leeds RUFC
West Park Leeds RUFC U/15’s v Huddersfield RUFC U/15’s
A minutes silence was observed prior to the game in memory of 16 year old Sam Morrill of Old Brodleians who was tragically killed in a road traffic accident. All those involved in today’s match wish to extend their deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
Huddersfield’s under 15’s suffered a 22-7 defeat away to West Park Leeds and one could be forgiven for thinking that the visitors must have been a clear second best to their hosts but in actuality these were two very evenly matched sides and the final score did not reflect the closeness of the contest. The final score-line certainly flattered West Park.
In the first half the visitors kicked too often - basically handing the ball back to West Park Leeds allowing them to build pressure with the inevitable results. At half time West Park had managed to run in three unconverted tries though it was clear that Huddersfield could get themselves back into this game should they use an intelligent kicking game to gain field position. Unfortunately, Huddersfield failed to use the swirling wind to their advantage in the second half by underutilising the kicking game and consequently they let West Park off the hook. Despite their failure to capitalise on the elements Huddersfield showed what they could do when inside centre Louie Cooper took a quick tap penalty with 17 second half minutes gone – charging towards the West Park line Cooper off loaded to supporting prop Joe Scott who demonstrated great strength to carry the ball the remaining ten metres to the line – and with several defenders in attendance Scott crashed over to ground the ball. Winger Adam Sykes converted and at 15-7 Huddersfield were right back in the game. However, the game was effectively over as a contest 5 minutes later after a questionable try was awarded to the home side. Special mention must also go to rampaging prop Jack Barker and lively second row Danny Keighley for their strong performances and to full back Callum Penson who ran the ball back with great flair.
Despite the final score this was a very close and hard-fought contest with little real difference between the two teams. The two exceptions being Huddersfield’s failure to control field position with a coherent kicking game and the erratic and often baffling decisions made by the match officials seemingly in favour of the home team.
Final Score:
West Park Leeds 22 Huddersfield 7
Huddersfield Scores
Tries: Joe Scott
Goals: Adam Sykes
Match Report
Date: Sunday 11th January 2009
Venue: Lockwood Park
Huddersfield RUFC U/15’s v Leigh RUFC U/15’s
In a game not for purists of open running rugby Huddersfield won a war of attrition against a very competent Leigh outfit. The home side handled the poor weather conditions with a tactical maturity that belied their young age. Huddersfield also demonstrated a great deal of tenacity in defence and it was a combination of all those attributes that won the day for the home team.
In a scrappy opening to the game the honours were very much even, however, Huddersfield seized the initiative when successive penalities were converted by the ever reliable Adam Sykes. On 25 minutes the home side extended their lead after full back Callum ? showed great soccer skills to dribble the ball into the in-goal area to touch down. Sykes added a wonderful touchline conversion to make it 13-0 at half time.
Leigh came much more into the game in the second half, largely as a result of the disruption caused to Huddersfield by a number of substitutions. Within 11 minutes of the restart Leigh had scored two tries and at 13-12 the scales were beginning to tip in favour of the visitors. However, Huddersfield regained sufficient equilibrium to close the game out and another penalty goal from Adam Sykes on 18 minutes was enough to see them home.
Special mention must go to Adam Sykes for his superb display of place kicking and to fullback Callum ? and winger Joe Graham both of whom worked tirelessly in defence and put in a sterling display of tackling.
Final Score:
Huddersfield 16 Leigh 12
Huddersfield Scores
Tries: Callaum ?
Goals: Adam Sykes - 3 Penalties, 1 Conversion
Match Report: 23/11/08
Skipton RUFC U/15’s V Huddersfield RUFC U/15’s
In a very hard fought and entertaining game Huddersfield left the best till last - with seconds to spare and trailing 20-17 the visitors’ quick kick-off following a Skipton try, which caught the Skipton defence napping, was knocked on in the home side’s “22”. From the resulting scrum quick thinking flanker Jamie Weir turned a stationary maul to his advantage by peeling off round the blind-side to dance around the Skipton defence and score the match winning try to great jubilation.
Huddersfield, in customary fashion, started brightly posting their opening try after 7 minutes – after inside centre Louie Cooper picked the ball up from a Skipton breakdown and released outside centre Charlie Buckley who raced away to score in the corner. Skipton levelled some 6 minutes later though the visitors regained the lead on 18 minutes after a lovely passing move along the line saw fullback Adam Sykes draw the covering defence with his delayed pass which gave winger Jack Sparling a clear run to the line. With 10 minutes of the half remaining Skipton levelled again and the rest of the half remained scoreless. And at 10-10 the game was finely poised.
Huddersfield took further charge in the second half when number 8 Edward Black
Stole the ball at a Skipton line-out, close to their own line, to crash over in the corner. Fullback Adam Sykes added the extras to make it 17-10 to the visitors. Skipton closed the gap with another unconverted try - following a good passing move halfway through the half. With less than 3 minutes remaining Skipton appeared to have grabbed the winner with a try in the corner - after repeated phases got them close to the Huddersfield line. However, Skipton’s celebrations proved to be premature as Huddersfield rushed to re-start the game with seconds to spare – and up stepped Jamie Weir to settle the game!
Huddersfield’s tigerish tackling and determination to win ultimately made the difference between two very evenly matched teams.
Final Score: Skipton 20 pts Huddersfield 22 pts
Huddersfield
Tries: Charlie Buckley, Jack Sparling, Edward Black, Jamie Weir
Goals: Adam Sykes (1)
Match Report: 09/11/08
Huddersfield RUFC U/15’s V Sheffield RUFC U/15’s
In a match played in atrocious conditions – featuring torrential rain and gale force winds - both sides managed to play some surprisingly good rugby but it was the home sides’ failure to exert any meaningful pressure by conceding field position to the visitors that ultimately cost them the game. The horrendous conditions meant that playing the percentages was the name of the game and playing the vast majority of the game in your own ‘22’ was only going to result in one thing – defeat – however well the home side played with ball in hand.
Huddersfield started brightly posting their opening try after 6 minutes – after inside centre Louie Cooper somehow managed to squeeze in at the corner. Miraculously fullback Adam Sykes added the extras from out wide and Huddersfield were off to a flyer. Sheffield then began to exert a strangle hold on field position and spent virtually the remainder of the half camped in the Huddersfield ‘22’. Despite all the pressure Huddersfield defended bravely and managed to keep the visitors out and at half time they held a slender 7-0 lead.
The second half began as the first half ended – with Sheffield camped in Huddersfield territory – and after 5 minutes of the half Sheffield went in at the corner after a period of sustained pressure. The conversion was missed and Huddersfield maintained their lead. Number 8 Edward Black extended the home sides’ advantage with a try - very much against the run of play - on 19 minutes which was immediately followed by a try to the visitors to make it 12-10 to Huddersfield. With 5 minutes remaining Sheffield capitalised on their territorial dominance with a converted try and the game was over for Huddersfield.
Huddersfield handled the conditions very well in terms of their running, passing and tackling but they did not recognise that tactics must change for such inclement weather – namely by playing the game downfield and capitalising on your opponents’ errors through exerting pressure.
Final Score: Huddersfield 12 pts Sheffield 17 pts
Huddersfield
Tries: Louie Cooper, Edward Black
Goals: Adam Sykes
Match Reports
Date: Wednesday 10th September 2008
Venue: Lockwood Park
Huddersfield RUFC U/15’s v Hemsworth RUFC U/15’s
Huddersfield began their season with an emphatic victory over Hemsworth. The home side were simply too hot to handle and put in a performance which belied the fact that this was the first time this team had played together for several months. The home side looked lively, committed and displayed a fluency which was at times irresistible. Hemsworth could not cope with the skills of the Lockwood Park side eventually going down 32-12.
Final Score:
Huddersfield 32 Hemsworth 12
Huddersfield Scores
Tries:
Goals:
Date: Sunday 14th September 2008
Venue: Old Brodleians RUFC
Old Brodleians RUFC U/15’s v Huddersfield RUFC U/15’s
In a complete contrast to their opening game Huddersfield’s under 15’s suffered a heavy defeat at Brods in a hesitant and stuttering performance. What a difference four days makes - the visitors appeared to be sluggish and disjointed - though playing 40 minutes of a 60 minute game up the considerable slope certainly did not help their cause.
Huddersfield did display some of their undoubted talents but only in patches – the highlight came during their downhill stint after a lovely chip into the corner from inside centre Louie Cooper was beautifully accepted by winger Callum ? to score out wide.
Otherwise this is one that Huddersfield would be best advised to put behind them.
Final Score:
Old Brodleians 41 Huddersfield 5
Huddersfield Scores
Tries: Callum ? (No14)
Goals:
|
