Rugby Lions Under 15’s at the Kenilworth 10 – a – side Tournament (April 2010)

As we approach the end of another arduous season Rugby’s Under 15’s can reflect on another successful campaign having played 17, Won 12, Drawn 1 and Lost 4 and last Saturday, in blazing sunshine, 18 intrepid Under 15’s competed at the annual Kenilworth 10 – a – side tournament to produce a series of great performances and successfully defend the age group trophy that they have now won for three consecutive seasons.

Game 1: Rugby Lions 25 pts      v       Kenilworth 10 pts

Lions v Kenilworth at this level is always competitive and this match was no different.  Both teams were committed to fast expansive rugby but Lions simply had too much for the plucky hosts.  Jackson Hughes revelled in the wide open spaces to show what a great finisher he is and run in 4 excellent tries whils Lewis Dodds completed the scoring following a trademark mazy run peppered with a number of outrageous sidesteps.

Game 2: Rugby Lions 15 pts      v       Blackburn 5 pts

Next up were Blackburn bristling with huge forwards and fast backs but Lions matched them every inch of the way in this hard fought affair and eventually took control towards the end of the second half to win a tough, bruising encounter.  Lions, by now were on top form and purring along at top speed – at times they were irresistable as James Scott cruised in from the half way line to finish off the try of the tournament starting from their own line and Ben Warman and Zac Baldwin scored fine individual tries to finally finish off a spirited Blackburn. 

Game 3: Rugby Lions 20 pts      v       Hinckley 5 pts

Lions had to play the next two games back to back and fatigue/injuries were beginning to mount but with other results going their way Lions knew that a win against Hinckley would all but secure the trophy they craved.  Hinckley looked good in earlier matches but Rugby were again immaculate and the whole squad focused on the task in hand to dispatch Hinckley with fast ball spun away from the breakdown and quick elusive runners well supported wide out.  Lions captain Zac Baldwin led the team with distinction to score first followed by a try from James Scott and a brace from Jackson Hughes.

Game 4: Rugby Lions 5 pts       v       Stoke Old Boys 15 pts

Battered, bruised and without a rest, Rugby stayed on the pitch to welcome Stoke Old Boys and the only slight wobble in an otherwise brilliant day unsued.  Stoke excelled themselves as they sensed Lions struggle to raise their game and in spite of heroic defense Lions conceded two well worked tries in the first half.  Lions bought on fresh legs at half time but Stoke continued to confound and scored again following a long kick downfield.  Lions at last exerted a measure of control as James Saunders ran three quarters of the pitch to be caught just short but following some fine interplay James Scott scored on the follow up.

Squad:  Kyle Webster, Rich Bannister, James Scott, Tom Swindell, Jackson  Hughes, Zac Baldwin (capt), Grant Northcott, Robert Chan, Harry Parsons, Ben Hyslop, Lewis Dodds, Alex Andersen-Doig, Ben Warman (vice capt), Daniel Martin, James Saunders, Josh Clarke, Ryan Masters, Ben Bramley.

What a great day!  Lions pocketed the trophy and walked off to prepare for their hotly anticipated end of season tour and Monday night’s last match of the season at home to Nuneaton – what a finale that promises to be.