Junior rugby round-up

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GIRLS’ UNDER-18s Devonport Services…27 Cornwall Invitation XV…0

SERVICES played some superb open, expansive rugby to win an exciting, lively and keenly fought contest against a Cornwall Invitation XV.

An early score from full-back Daisy Fahey set the tone for the evening as the Cornish side struggled to match the stronger Services team.

Prop Michaella Roberts rampaged through the defence to add a second score before Lizzie Crocker cut through for a try converted by Mia Lawrence.

Scrum-half Chloe Waterfield was busy around the breakdown and made sniping runs all evening and linked well with improving stand-off Shelby Lee.

Captain Ruby Lee added a fourth try soon after half-time as Services’ forwards dominated, with Lauren Jewell starring in the line-out.

Bronwen Williams, Tegan Smith, Taylor Gill, Morgan Bradley all worked ferociously and never took a step back.

The three-quarters tackled tirelessly and attacked at every opportunity. Georgia Scrase-Vallance, Thea Crosby all shone, while wing Taylor Gallagher went close on several occasions.

Roberts rounded off the game’s scoring with her second and Services’ fifth try.

BOYS’ RUGBY – UNDER-14s DEVON CUP Stonehouse Sharks…8 Barnstaple…7

SHARKS came from behind in the last few minutes to beat a powerful Barum side thanks to two late tries from Lewis Andrews.

For the first 15 minutes, both teams pounded each other, probing and pushing for each other’s weaknesses. Then an unfortunate bounce of the ball in the blustery and slippery conditions gifted Barnstaple a try underneath the posts.

Strong tackling kept Barum at bay and Andrews nearly pinched a try after a powerful run.

Stonehouse came out firing after the break, with great work from number eight Jerome Clench, second-row Tom Hind, centre Toby Moss, among others, leading to a try for full-back Harry Groves.

Groves stretched over the line despite attention from several Barum players, but Andrews’ conversion attempt bounced off the post.

After riding a Barnstaple onslaught, Sharks could have scored a second try, but for some bad decision-making and dropped passes.

But the resolute Sharks stuck to their guns and smashed Barnstaple back into their own 22 where home pressure eventually told.

From a penalty wide on the left, Andrews, with the last kick of the game, slotted his kick through the posts to snatch a victory.

Honiton…8 Plymstock Albion Oaks…50

OAKS hit the half-century mark in a great victory on their travels away to Honiton.

But the Honiton forwards gave Oaks a run for their money in the scrum and at the breakdown, especially in the first half.

The hosts claimed a great try from a rolling maul in Oaks’ 22 in the 10th minute and added a penalty in the 20th minute.

But from then on it was Oaks all the way. Centre Regan Spencer scored three tries and wingers Tom Gould added two apiece.

Stand in number 10 Alex Chapman was also on the scoresheet.

UNDER-11s Tavistock…10 Devonport Services…30

STRENGTH in depth proved key as Services registered a 20-point victory in west Devon.

Services started strongly and after some damaging runs, soon mauled and rucked their way deep into Tavistock territory.

Josh Hemmings was first to strike for Services as the forwards battered their way through, and he soon added a second after intercepting a loose Tavvy pass.

Tavistock started to find their feet as the game went from end to end, but a try was denied when Services’ man of the match Owen Busfield was on hand to force Seamus McCoy into touch. That left the score 10-0 to Services at half-time.

After the break, Niall Gill went over twice for Services following a strong drive in the scrum and good rucking and mauling to make the score 20-0.

Services added try number five when Matt Richards stole the ball from a Tavvy maul.

But in the final quarter of the game, Tavvy finally opened their account with two tries.

Services responded, though, with Gill completing his hat-trick after supporting Lloyd Wolaniec, who had slipped down the blind-side following a visiting scrum.

Stonehouse Sharks…25 Plymstock Oaks…5

SHARKS’ superior defence laid the platform for a 20-point margin victory over Oaks.

The first try went to Tom Woodward who got the ball from a ruck and had a free run to the line. The next came when the forwards dug deep and pushed through to give man of the match Aaron Duffield his first. Sharks’ third try of the first half went to Harrison Truswell following a scrum.

Oaks pulled one back before the half-time whistle, but much of the second period was dominated by Sharks.

Good passing by Toby Lean, Bailey Howe and Henry Jamieson and inspired runs from Finley Nicol kept moving the ball forward.

Duffield was able to throw himself over a ruck for a second try and the final touch down saw Tom Woodward rewarded following a number of good runs.

IVYBRIDGE secured a 7-7 draw and a 28-0 victory in their two matches against Saltash.

UNDER-10s Stonehouse Sharks…3 Plymstock Oaks..2 (score in tries)

SHARKS ended their wait for victory with a hard-fought success against Oaks.

First half tries came from Ethan Murray, Jacob Gaskin and James Ferriman gave Sharks a 3-0 lead at the break.

But Oaks refused to give up and crossed the line twice in the second period to give Sharks a fright.

Stonehouse Sharks…3 Plymstock Oaks…4 (Score in tries)

OAKS denied Sharks a second victory in a game where the score fluctuated between the sides.

The score was 2-2 at the break, with Murray and Gaskin going over for Sharks.

After the turnaround, Oaks scored again before Gaskin replied for Sharks. But Oaks then grabbed the decisive score of the game.

Article source: http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/ucd-offers-60-point-top-up-to-attract-elite-athletes-1.1663571

Junior rugby round-up