Eastern Counties Rugby Union

Eastern Counties U16s - 48 : 17 - NLD U16s

A one minute’s silence was observed prior to the game to remember the tragic events in Paris on Friday the 13th.

The game soon sparked into life with the EC forward pack dominating the set peace and breakdown it took just 5 minutes for the side to open their account. Following some early pressure from the EC forwards the ball was put through the hands for an opening try by Ollie Mann, Fin Creighton converted what was a difficult conversion in the blustery conditions.

The EC Front five of Frank Scott, Archie Davison, Thomas Taylor, Henry Steers and Marshall Sykes were totally dominant in the set peace. The back row operating well around the park with Tom Smith the EC No6 turning ball over regularly at the breakdown, this gave a never ending supply of possession for the backs to launch attack after attack at the NLD defence. Keegan Diggons & Fin Creighton controlled the game well releasing the very skilful EC back division to test the NLD defence with some spectacular running rugby. The second try came on the 12th min by Ollie Mann followed swiftly by a try 5 minutes later by Stephen Snook, on the 20th minute Ollie Mann struck again for his 3rd try of the game converted by Fin Creighton. At 22-0 it looked as if EC were going to run away with game but to NLDs credit they fort back hard putting EC under some pressure and came away with a powerful forwards try before half time.

The half time score EC 24 – 5 NLD

The second half saw EC make multiple substitutions, with forward replacements Jay Waller, Ben Bouckley and Ethan Holwood taking to the field the EC pack continued its dominance and Tom Williams (15) and Tom Poole (9) got straight into the action in the backs. It didn’t take long for EC to get the score card rolling again with Tom William’s scoring almost immediately with just 2 minutes on the clock. NLD struck straight back with a converted try of their own but the rest of the half was to go all EC’s way. Ollie Mann was back on the score sheet again with a well worked backs move this was converted by Charlie Delany.

EC made further substitutions bringing on Klayton Tyrrell and Lames Taylor in the front row and Oliver Maynard on to the wing. The EC backs were mesmeric all afternoon show casing their skills to a very appreciative crowd, amazingly man of the match Ollie Mann ran in a further two scores to bring his tally for the afternoon to an incredible 6 tries, Charlie Delany converted the try on the 60th minute to bring the score to 48 -12 in EC’s favour. NLD hit back with a late try on the 68th minute to make the final score Eastern Counties 48 – NLD 17.

Eastern Counties next fixture is against Leicestershire on the 6th December at Shelford - 1pm OK.

Report from

Chris Capps-Jenner
Eastern Counties U16s manager