Effingham and Leatherhead U15 v Richmond B U15

Eagles 33 – 12 Richmond B

Juniors U15 • League • Sun 25th Apr 10, 10:00AM

 

Sunday 25th April 2010
Effingham and Leatherhead U15 v Richmond B U15
Eagles 33 Richmond B 12

Eagles welcomed Richmond's B side to KGV for this crucial final league fixture of the season and got back to winning ways against a tough well drilled opposition who were unlucky to meet a virtually full strength Eagles team playing committed rugby. As defeat meaning possible relegation for both teams the stakes were high.

On a superb day for rugby the away team started well & pressed hard early on towards the Eagles line but were denied by last minute tackles on three occasions.  The first half was a very evenly matched affair and played at a high pace and with the two sets of forwards to the fore. The score remained blank until a few minutes from the break when the Eagles forwards who had been gradually putting their usual driving rugby together well, surged over under the posts from Tom Calverley. Evan Newton converted the extras to make it 7-0 at the break.

The second half as expected was a far more open affair with space becoming available for running rugby. Only a few minutes in Newton intercepted a long pass by his opposite number in midfield to race through from half way to score under the posts. He successfully converted. By now Effingham's superior back row was starting to boss the game and in quick time captain George Goodliff & No.8 Sean Byrne both notched up tries. This galvanised Richmond who got a try back, just reward for their continued hard work.  Eagles then scores their most outrageous try when Tom Calverley caught the ball from the restart and fed Goodliff who scored. Newton again converted from a difficult angle. There was still time for the away team to notch another unconverted try before the excellent referee closed proceedings at 33-12 to the home team.

The hugely satisfying result based upon fully committed rugby from both teams left Eagles mid table and safe but Richmond B waiting on other results to see if they would avoid the drop. Now the Eagles boys can relax for the summer and look forward to some well earned rest. Well done boys.

Eagles Squad: Bedford, Lawrenson, Angus, Valente, Cassidy, Newton, Ball, Altomare, Bradshaw, McCarthy, Smyth, Cooper, Goodliff, Broomfield, Dickinson, Tolley, Byrne, Munnings, Blunt, Gilroy, Calverely, Coppellotti.

Scorers: Tries Calverley, Goodliff (2), Byrne, Newton, Conv Newton (4)

MOM: the entire Ollie Cassidy

 

Report by Dickinson. Photographs by Q Bradshaw