Under 15s Reports (Most recent at Top)

01/10/06

Swindon v Marlborough U15-1st October 2006

Swindon’s first away match of the season saw the short trip south to Marlborough, which always provides an exciting end to end game with plenty of controversy. Marlborough kicked off and immediately put Swindon under strong pressure and were unfortunate not to capitalise. Gradually Swindon started to break through the Marlborough line particularly from scrums where Swindon excelled. Marlborough gained a scrum in their own half which Swindon turned over and No 8 Alex Courtley drove through several Marlborough tackles to score under the posts, with Adam Stephens converting. The remainder of the first half was evenly contested with Alex scoring a further try following a Swindon scrum, before Marlborough scored shortly before halftime.

Halftime Marlborough 5 Swindon 12

Marlborough started the second half much stronger and scored a second try from a quickly taken penalty which they crucially failed to convert. This spurred on Swindon and they again scored through Alex Courtley from a Swindon scrum just inside the Marlborough half with Adam Stephens again converting. Marlborough to their credit did not give up and the remaining minutes of the game were extremely tense with Marlborough scoring a further try and conversion but with seconds to go missed a penalty kick by a foot giving Swindon a deserved victory.

Fulltime Marlborough 17 Swindon 19

Swindon Team:
Charlie Armstrong, Tom Barron, Ted Cenaj, Alex Courtley, Aaron Cowle, Aaron Dobson, Tom Fletcher, Josh Haines, Liam Lawrence, Stuart Lincoln, Luke Rumble, Jon Sara, Adam Stephens, Chris Thomas, Miles Thorne, Anthony Willis, Jake Wojtowicz.

Despite the torrential rain there was a strong turnout of spectators who were treated to a fine open game of Rugby from both sides. The win, which is Swindon’s 1st of the season can be attributed to 3 things;

1. Strong Defensive display.
2. Domination of the scrum.
3. Accurate kicking.

24/09/06 Swindon v Chippenham U15’s Wiltshire Cup Group Stage

Swindon’s opening Wiltshire Cup game of the season saw the visit to Greenbridge Road of one of the favourites for the tournament, Chippenham. Swindon kicked off but were immediately under pressure from Chippenham who broke the Swindon line scoring under the posts before converting.

From the restart Swindon had a number of piercing runs but Chippenham’s defence held strong, before scoring a further 4 tries on the counter attack which were all accurately converted. With the first half drawing to a close, Swindon forced forward strongly, and following several mauls Captain Josh Haines dived over to score. The remaining minutes of the half were evenly contested with both sides giving their all but making little ground. Half Time Swindon 5 Chippenham 35

The second half opened brightly for Swindon as they began to find their confidence and self belief, stretching Chippenham on several occasions causing them to concede penalties which Swindon failed to capitalize from. As the second half wore on Chippenham’s greater fitness began to tell and tired legs conceded a further 2 tries before a Chippenham break from their own half of the pitch was halted by Alex Courtley. One further try was scored by Chippenham before the final whistle. Full Time Swindon 5 Chippenham 56

This was always going to be a difficult match to start the season and Swindon did well to limit the score. To a man the team battled for everything and this attitude will reap rewards in the coming games.

Swindon Team: Charlie Armstrong, Calum Ayris, Tom Barron, Alex Courtley, Connor Crespin, Aaron Dobson, Tom Fletcher, Josh Haines, Scott Harflett, Stuart Lincoln, Ricky Mills, Luke Rumble, Jon Sara, Adam Stephens, Chris Thomas, Miles Thorne, Jake Wojtowicz.

17/09/06 The Lexus Junior Rugby Festival

Swindon started the 2006/7 season with a visit to Reading for the expanded Lexus Junior Rugby Festival where Swindon’s 4 team pool contained Stonehouse, Havant and Monmouth (Stonehouse forfeited the game due to their non appearance.

Swindon’s opening game was against a fast and penetrating Havant side who managed to dominate the first half with 2 tries (one converted) and a penalty brining the half time score to Swindon 0 Havant 15.

Although Swindon began the second half with greater spirit and determination Havant added a further try and conversion before the game was brought to an early end by an injury to Alex Courtley with the score Swindon 0 Havant 22.

Swindon’s second game against Monmouth proved to be a much closer battle and after weathering some early pressure, Swindon created several openings before a second half attempted Penalty kick by Adam Stephens hit the left hand post and rebounded back into play. Wave after wave of attacks followed and Swindon were cruelly denied at the death by a controversial knock on decision as Stuart Lincoln dived over the line. The final score being Swindon 0 Monmouth 0.

This was a rewarding days Rugby for Swindon who despite fielding several debutants were not outclassed by the opposition. The whole team gave 150% inspired by new captain Josh “Bulldog” Haines.

Squad: Charlie Armstrong, Tom Barron, Alex Courtley, Connor Crespin, Aaron Dobson, Tom Fletcher, John Haines, Scott Harflett, Stuart Lincoln, Scott Regan, Jon Sara, Adam Stephens, Anthony Willis, Jake Wojtowicz.

All the Action and Presentation photographs taken are available for viewing and purchase from DE Photo's website;

Lexus Junior Rugby Festival Photos