BOYS’ SPORTS REPORTS 12/08/14

1st XV V George Watsons College WON 41 – 29

In a high scoring match on Buskholme the 1st XV got their first win of the season scoring six tries to the oppositions four in what was a very entertaining game. 

Sedbergh started well with what will be remembered as possibly one of the tries of the season as Richard Addison finished a brilliant 90m score with key contributions from Harry Halsall and Charlie Moorby. Sedbergh went on to score a further three tries in the first half, two coming from very well organised and executed driving mauls.

It became very clear late in the first half and during the entire second half that George Watsons would not simply lay down and let Sedbergh take a comfortable victory. The Scottish side gave everything in a gritty performance which saw them come back to tie the scores at 24 all with 15 minutes to go. In the final period Sedbergh sprang into life as they kept their composure scoring 17 unanswered points including two good tries to Johnny McPhillips and Jonny Keh which secured the victory for the home side.

Tries: Addison, Davies, Halsall, Orritt, McPhillips, Keh
McPhillips 4 conversions & a penalty

SM

3rd XV V Morecombe College WON 54 – 8

Having left Morecambe College in good time on a beautiful day the bus duly arrived at Morecambe High School. Our oppos met us and the boys moved quickly to the changing rooms.

Predictably the Morecambe XV was big and heavy, looking as though they had done little in pre-season. They came at us with tenacity and good individual skills and we did well not to get into an arm wrestle with them. We used the ball well and put width on it when we could. It was a genuinely hot day and the boys were tested.

Robinson was again exceptional in both attack and defence. Adams and Koudiao both added to set piece and loose play. Ballard was very good but needs to talk more to let people know how hard he has worked to get in position, he won good ball on the floor and ran great support lines.

Man of the Match was Radcliffe- having worked hard on his pass this week he is starting to look like he might have the makings of a very good scrum half. Lavery kicked beautifully from the ground but possibly too frequently from hand. 

Doody needs to be more confident and must practice passing from his left hand, Lewin came on and scored from 80metres and made a superb last ditch tackle. Cunha- Vas caused problems all day for their defence but must keep control of the ball.

A good game against a very physical side. 
Tries: Robinsonx2, Cunha-Vasx2, Holt, Lewin,Croft, Adams, 
Cons: 1, 1,1,1,1, 

3rd XV V QES Kirkby Lonsdale Won 40 – 0 

Lovely day on Busk 2 with a team that were bolstered by boys kindly lent to me by GUN, as he suggested they needed the time to really practice. QES arrived with a depleted squad after their fixture with LRGS midweek, however they were genuinely well drilled and put together some very tidy passages of play which tested our defence.

Tom Robinson was rested for the game and Josef Westgarth led the team very well- a different type of leader he leads from the front, underneath and in the middle of everything although his tactical awareness may need to develop his heart is evident.

The team were in the right frame of mind as we reflected at the start of the match on MAFRs 30 year’s involvement with the club and what we stood for. It was a good way to start.

Although we had to work hard “up front,” our rucking was good and we won enough quality ball to let our backs use the width of the pitch. Lavery found his men and Thompson was difficult for the QES boys. Blackhall was a little lateral and we have spoken about the fact that at any level in the school he will need to run straight.

Savage scored three very quickly and set up a further two which were discounted for forward passes. Scrivens was a menace and worked hard through the game, he has a good work rate but is hampered by not being fit enough, he could do with having a word with Koffi who was similar last year but today was a different man- he was excellent, powerful and fit.

Jones was also very good and hit every ruck he could with the intention of moving it and as a result we did counter ruck well. An injury at the end of the first half, which led to an ambulance being called, disrupted the game. I think the lad will be OK.

We moved to Riverside to finish the game but I was asked to finish the game early which did make sense. MAFR will be pleased to hear that only one yellow card was issued to Josef Westgarth but that this was done for persistent infringement (to even things up a bit). Josef was confused as he did not know what the offense of being “cynical,” actually constituted.

Gatehead 1st XV on Wednesday will be tough- can’t wait.
Tries: Savagex 3, Lavery, Radcliffe, Smith
Cons: Lavery x5
CH

4th XV V Morecombe College WON 48 – 31

A1 V George Watsons College WON 15 – 12 

This can be best described as an ugly win and A1 will have to improve an awful lot if they are to challenge the better sides on the circuit later in the term.

George Watsons were a very competitive outfit and particularly effective on the floor where the turned over a lot of ball. In the first half we struggled to string any phases together at all and didn’t have the opportunity to move the ball wide. The Watsons pack dominated proceedings and they scored twice from close range to turn around 12-0 up at half-time.

We managed to soak up pressure at the start if the second half and when we eventually stated to win some ball the backs started to threaten. 
Tries from Stewart and Richardson brought us back to 12-12 before chamberlain kicked a Kate penalty to seal a win that we possibly didn’t deserve.

CPM

A2 V QES Kirkby Lonsdale WON 46 – 5 

The final score was Sedbergh A2 46 -QES 5 with Sedbergh running in eight tries to one. 
QES could only provide ten players so five of our subs willingly volunteered to play for them and put in creditable performances. The game was played in good spirit with both teams running the ball whenever possible. QES to their credit never gave up and fought hard to the end. 

JO

B1 V George Watsons WON 26 – 10

B1 faced an uncompromising and determined George Watsons side who made Sedbergh work the whole game to overcome them. Early errors and repeated penalties stopped Sedbergh from dominating the first half and the score line remained at 0-0 for 20 minutes. In the second half Sedbergh increased their tempo of play and began to play with more conviction and direction. Tries soon followed and the game finished 26-10. 

Tries: Papworth, Mullins, Farrar, Turner
Conversions: Hodge (3)

CJS