U15 Tour to Gloucester and Bristol

Effingham & Leatherhead U15’s annual tour saw us travel west, and take on teams from Bristol while partaking in activities in Gloucester.

 

Setting off early, the lad’s first stop was a match in Bristol against Aretians. Of unknown ability, Aretians turned out to be a good match for the Eagles touring squad. However it was the tourists that broke the deadlock in the first have when following some good inter-play between forwards and backs, skipper for the day, Matt Evans rounded the wanting defence to score an unconverted try to put them 5-0 ahead. It was not until the second half that Aretians clawed their way back and managed to breach the Eagles defence to level the game at 5 – 5. Again this was unconverted. The match was evenly balanced from then on, with both teams enjoying good possession. The highlight however came in the face of despair as Aretians tall number 8 ran from his own half, through several tackles and looked destined to score and steal victory. As the Eagles defence chased after him, it was just a foot race for the line. Fortunately, scrum half Luke Blythe found not only the pace but the strength to haul down the attacker with a great tackle, just short of the line, preventing the inevitable try and securing the draw to the final whistle.

Aretians then played perfect hosts to Eagles and we enjoyed a great meal, good company and a boat race with chocolate…say no more!!!

 

We then went hot-foot to Kingsholm Stadium, home to Guinness Premiership side Gloucester, to watch their EDF Energy Cup clash against Newport/Gwent Dragons. A thrilling game saw the home side win and the U15’s got the chance to see Eagles Old Boy Mark Forster in action on the wing for Gloucester.

 

From there it was back to the Ramada in Gloucester for some dinner, kangaroo court (run by the lads) and a bit of well deserved rest and relaxation in the fabulous countryside surroundings.

 

Sunday morning, following a traditional sportsman’s breakfast of eggs, bacon and all the trimmings, the squad were off to face Bristol Saracens. Again a tough side, particularly in the forwards and were again looking to win against the tourists. Again it was The Eagles who dominated the early phases and George Bayman was awesome in the scrums but the Saracens came back well but the final score was 24 – 15 to the Eagles with tries from Lewis Furlonger x 2, Alex Lincoln x 2 and Ben Young. As always it was the work from the rest of the team that led to the tries and every lad should be proud of their contribution in both games.

 

Again Bristol Saracens were perfect hosts and we enjoyed good food, great company and some great singing!

 

Again it was back to base at the Ramada and the lads were able to enjoy all the facilities on hand including; squash, swimming, sauna, golf driving range, snooker and a gym for the fitness freaks.

 

Monday saw a lazy start to the day for most and again after a healthy fried breakfast and more use of the leisure facilities it was off to Woking for a mass game of golf to round the tour off in style.

 

With thanks to Phil Stephens, our new tour organiser, the lads came home unbeaten and enthusing at a perfectly great tour!!

Tourists include – George Bayman, Charles Lawrence, Samuel Maycock, James, Tod, Ben Young, Jack Whellams, Rob Marsh, Conor Morris, Will McKay, Tim Parsons, Jordan Crozier, Alex Lincoln, Alex Stephens, Ben Lazarevic, Luke Blythe, Jack Gamble, Matt Evans, Lewis Furlonger, Benoit Bush, Joseph Cox and Dan Evans.

 

Effingham & Leatherhead U15's annual tour saw us travel west, and take on teams from Bristol while partaking in activities in Gloucester.

 

Setting off early, the lad's first stop was a match in Bristol against Aretians. Of unknown ability, Aretians turned out to be a good match for the Eagles touring squad. However it was the tourists that broke the deadlock in the first have when following some good inter-play between forwards and backs, skipper for the day, Matt Evans rounded the wanting defence to score an unconverted try to put them 5-0 ahead. It was not until the second half that Aretians clawed their way back and managed to breach the Eagles defence to level the game at 5 - 5. Again this was unconverted. The match was evenly balanced from then on, with both teams enjoying good possession. The highlight however came in the face of despair as Aretians tall number 8 ran from his own half, through several tackles and looked destined to score and steal victory. As the Eagles defence chased after him, it was just a foot race for the line. Fortunately, scrum half Luke Blythe found not only the pace but the strength to haul down the attacker with a great tackle, just short of the line, preventing the inevitable try and securing the draw to the final whistle.

Aretians then played perfect hosts to Eagles and we enjoyed a great meal, good company and a boat race with chocolate...say no more!!!

 

We then went hot-foot to Kingsholm Stadium, home to Guinness Premiership side Gloucester, to watch their EDF Energy Cup clash against Newport/Gwent Dragons. A thrilling game saw the home side win and the U15's got the chance to see Eagles Old Boy Mark Forster in action on the wing for Gloucester.

 

From there it was back to the Ramada in Gloucester for some dinner, kangaroo court (run by the lads) and a bit of well deserved rest and relaxation in the fabulous countryside surroundings.

 

Sunday morning, following a traditional sportsman's breakfast of eggs, bacon and all the trimmings, the squad were off to face Bristol Saracens. Again a tough side, particularly in the forwards and were again looking to win against the tourists. Again it was The Eagles who dominated the early phases and George Bayman was awesome in the scrums but the Saracens came back well but the final score was 24 - 15 to the Eagles with tries from Lewis Furlonger x 2, Alex Lincoln x 2 and Ben Young. As always it was the work from the rest of the team that led to the tries and every lad should be proud of their contribution in both games.

 

Again Bristol Saracens were perfect hosts and we enjoyed good food, great company and some great singing!

 

Again it was back to base at the Ramada and the lads were able to enjoy all the facilities on hand including; squash, swimming, sauna, golf driving range, snooker and a gym for the fitness freaks.

 

Monday saw a lazy start to the day for most and again after a healthy fried breakfast and more use of the leisure facilities it was off to Woking for a mass game of golf to round the tour off in style.

 

With thanks to Phil Stephens, our new tour organiser, the lads came home unbeaten and enthusing at a perfectly great tour!!

Tourists include - George Bayman, Charles Lawrence, Samuel Maycock, James, Tod, Ben Young, Jack Whellams, Rob Marsh, Conor Morris, Will McKay, Tim Parsons, Jordan Crozier, Alex Lincoln, Alex Stephens, Ben Lazarevic, Luke Blythe, Jack Gamble, Matt Evans, Lewis Furlonger, Benoit Bush, Joseph Cox and Dan Evans.