Saturday 13th March - Under 15 Shrewsbury School 0 - Shrewsbury  12

Five key players missing from our squad so our team would have to rise to this occasion to be a worthy opponent for a Schools team that was bound to be fit and well drilled.   

The first ten minutes saw the Hoops (as the 'crowd' named our lads) playing in their own half, taking on the role of underdogs.  Pressure on us within our own 22, not able to clear the ball.  Wake up Hoops! Confidence then switched, ball handling sharpened and the game began to flow for us. 

Suddenly finding ourselves on the attack, suddenly realising we could score.  Phil Andrews made the break to put us at 5:0.  Game On.  From there on the teams were evenly matched with superb defence all round. 

Tackle of the match goes to Hugo Murray in a "where did he come from" sprint to stop a dead cert try. 

Special mentions for Jack Brown who put in some of his best tackling and running to date. 

George Beesley who fired up our forwards against a pack that had the edge on us.  James Fairgreve for his timely try stopping tackle.  John Houlgate for his driving work in the rucks and mauls.  Robert Smith who came in as prop to play an excellent second half. Charlie Storey who was playing to prove himself and Sam Wycherley who was ever hungry to chase the ball. 

The second half brought our second try.  Tim Andrews found space and put the ball between the posts which his brother confidently converted.  12:0 Game over!  Did someone say they wanted to take on the 'A' team?…

Sunday 29th February - Under 15 Willenhall 10 Shrewsbury 48

A bleak pitch greeted us on this leap year day, as we set for a bonecrunching game. We eventually kicked-off at 11.30 and soon discovered that the referee knew how to play the advantage rule. Shrewsbury set about notching up an early score into double figures by lightning backs Tim Andrews and Hugo Murray.  Willenhall retaliated and the score stood at 12:10 to Shrewsbury.

The Willenhall forwards were a weighty bunch pushing us back in the scrums. Though all credit to the Shrewsbury forwards who drove well in the rucks and mauls. Visiting player Nick Evans was a great asset in the front row. Shrewsbury defence was good under pressure as the opposition forwards were held up on the try line several times. Andy Jordan and George Beesley each charged over the try line to make us 26:10 at half time.

In the second half our opposition were frustrated at our score and their inability to match it. Fitness levels prevailed and at times the kicking T was back on the pitch as soon as it had been taken off. Some super kicking from “Marksman” Williams with four conversions on a windy day.

At 48:10 we were bitten but not defeated with trys from Sam Barnett, a double from Phil Andrews and a second by Hugo all in the second half. Throughout the game there was tremendous hard hitting tackling notably by Sam Wycherley and Jason Freeman. Richard Kelly at scrum-half showed admirable form.  Well done lads, against all odds!

Sunday 22nd February - Under 15-14-16 Bridgnorth 20 Shrewsbury 14

This Sunday coincided with half term and county training so numbers were always going to be problem.  Earlier in the week we were concerned there would not be enough to field a full team but in the end we had spare players!  

On a fresh morning in Bridgnorth a team made up of some u-15s and some u- 14s as well as the odd u-16 took to the pitch. 

The team played well considering many of the players had not played together before. The first half saw some heroic defence on Shrewsbury’s behalf and at half time the side were only two tries down. 

The team took on board all the advice at half time and in the second half the pack began working as a real unit and the tide turned with two fine tries by Phil Andrews and Nick Evans. Both tries were converted by Phil Andrews.

 Right at the end of the game Bridgnorth were able to score fourth try (rather against the run of play). There was some very welcome support who travelled to Bridgnorth to cheer on the Blues – many thanks.

Final Score Bridgnorth 20 Shrewsbury 14

Well done all who played

Sunday 8th February - SHREWSBURY  V  NEWTOWN      U15's       36:17

 Sunday 8^th February saw a tough rematch of two rival clubs.  Shrewsbury knew that this match would be one to win to remember.

Our backs were not going to have any easy running and our forwards must raise the level of their game if we are to have anything to remember. 

In the first ten minutes each team scored and Shrewsbury converted.  Sam Jones showing his brilliance in running.  However, the home team still did not have the measure of the Newtown pack.  The visitors scored two more trys in the first half leaving us at 7:17 down. 

Somewhere, somehow at half time our self belief came back. The blues wasted no time bringing up the score to 14:17.  Now our forwards were getting stuck in, driving the game. Suddenly it was 19:17 then 24:17 and 29:17.  We had broken them down and they could not put the ball past us.  

Finally a score of  36:17 not just a win but a great victory.  Trys came from Phil Andrews, Sam Jones, Hugo Murray, Jason Freeman and Tim Andrews. Each one hard fought. Three conversions from Mark Williams.  Man of the match award for sheer guts and determination goes to John Houlgate, a great start for this welcome new player. A special mention to Adam Lunt who caught an elbow early on in the game which proved to have broken his nose.

1st February 2004 - Under 12 Shrewsbury 56 Telford 5

Both Shrewbury and Telford turned out full squads in less than perfect weather conditions.  What a wonderful thing a winning Rugby world Cup is!.  Telford's inexperienced squad put up a sterling defence throughout, however Shrewsbury's experience eventually showed with a flourish of well taken tries.  The quality of Shrewsbury's  handling awful conditions was quite exceptional with eight trys being answered by one well taken Telford effort.

An excellent performance by a strong pack gave the opportunity for the faster and stronger backs to exploit the weaknesses of the oswestry side. Good rucking and mauling by the forwards with some wonderful link play ensured the ball was kept in hand despite the poor conditions of the pitch. The three county players Dominic Power, Tomas Edwards and Sam Lewis showed that the extra training with keeping the ball alive in the tackle has clearly paid off. The whole team deserved this win to boost their confidence for the future games.

1st February 2004 - Under 15 Shrewsbury 106 Telford 0

It has to be said Shrewsbury U15’s are having a good season, even a great season! Having worked off the Christmas excesses this squad is now keener and fitter.

Sunday 1^st February saw a recently formed, hopeful Telford team battle against us. Try as they might (excuse me) our visitors could not put the ball down over our try line. Certainly, they came as close as possible without actually scoring. Well held up lads!

With a score of 106 and eleven different try scorers it was great to see different players charging over the try line. Great lines of running and stepping back inside by more than a few of the team. The inexperienced Telford players giving Shrewsbury extra thinking time. Time to put the ball out wide and the advantage was taken without mercy. Individual breaks through the Telford defence were magnificent and brought resounding cheers from masses of home supporters.  Telford for their part played valiantly for the full sixty minutes. It was an honour to play this team who although outclassed kept up their morale and played good rugby until the end.

No special mentions for this match as everyone played to their full potential.

18th January 2004 - Shrewsbury 44 Willenhall 0

A frosty start to the morning as referee and coaches examined the pitch and decided to go for a late kick-off at 11.30.  Fortunately the sunrays prevailed, in no time Shrewsbury notched up a first score with a lightning run from Tim Andrews.  It was quickly apparent that Willenhall could not match the pace of the home team. In the first half Tim scored again and Mark Williams also scored a double, displaying some excellent side-stepping dodges. Finally, Jason Freeman who returns from injury after a month, showed he has not lost his form with a solid break through the opposition to score. Half time 27 : 0

From our expanded squad, especially in the backs we made five substitutions for the second half. Notably, George Beeseley as a prop and pack leader. Never has a player been so fired up and ready for action. This was George’s day, a well earned “Man of the Match” title. Second, Sam Wycherley proved himself  extremely useful in the rucks and mauls and definite pace when he broke away from the opposition. As a winger, Richard Kelly had a superb game in support play and tackling. Tom Gatenby tackled relentlessly and was always in the thick of the game.

Scoring in the second half was again entirely a Shrewsbury domain. Sam Jones had two tremendous sprints for his trys.  Andy Jordan powered through the Willenhall defence with confidence to score.

Great credit must be given to Willenhall who, although outskilled, played determined rugby to the very last. Several times they had Shrewsbury on their back foot but just could not manage to clinch a try. Final score 44:0

30^th November 2003   Shrewsbury 49 Oswestry 10 

Shrewsbury U15’s notched up another victory against a strong visiting team with a decisive win. Initially the game was dominated by Oswestry. The home team were constantly on their back foot defending again and again within ten metres of their try line. At last Oswestry broke through to score their only try of the first half.

This was the wake up call for Shrewsbury as they began to move the ball out wide and retaliated. Shrewsbury scored three more tries before half time giving a 20 : 5 lead. Try scorers were James Fairgreve, Jason Freeman and Phil Andrews. 

With a squad of 21 Shrewsbury made numerous substitutions for the second half. The home team kept the ball going at pace on attack and tackled well in defence conceding only one more try but scoring another four tries, three conversions and a drop goal to boot! Try scorers Sam Jones with an ace run, Hugo Murray and Mark Williams. 

For the effort put in by the Oswestry team, they deserved a higher score. Superior tackling and fitness levels shown by Shrewsbury came up trumps. New players in the squad commended for their play were Sam Barnett and Sam Wycherley.

Under 16 and 17 Beaten by Sporting Oswestry
30 th November. Shrewsbury under 16s and 17s 5 - Oswestry 20

A scratch 16 and17 side put up a brave performance against some powerful opposition. Sportingly, Oswestry lent Shrewsbury a good number 8 that meant an even contest followed.

In the first half Oswestry went into the lead with a penalty followed up with a couple of well-worked tries.

Shrewsbury dug deep in the second half. There were a number of powerful driving runs from the forwards that took Oswestry by surprise. Eventually Shrews winger Jack MacMillan scored a good break away try. Following a steady scrum, Oswestry broke through the normally watertight back-row to score a fine try. The game ended 20 – 5 in Oswestry’s favour.

Shrewsbury tackled well through out the game, and there were some fine individual performances. If Shrewsbury were to play and train together regularly, they could become a good team.

Under 15 Crash to first defeat of season
26th October 2003 - Silhillians 55 Shrewsbury 7

The cracks that were appearing in the pack at Newtown were ruthlessly exposed by a strong and intelligent Solihull team.
Special thanks should be made to Sam Lewis and Dom Power who showed that they are more than capable of stepping up an age grade. Hugo Murray demonstrated what a dangerous player he is, by scoring Shrews only try of the game. Mark Williams converted.

I have taken the liberty of including the Silhillians match report, as I think it illustrates how they beat us so convincingly.

Shrewsbury came with high hopes having beaten Evesham 58-6 in the preliminary round but ran aground against the overwhelming strength of the Sils pack. Sils forwards allowed them limited possession and territory so that Shrewsbury were unable to get their excellent back line running except on rare occasions. When they did they always looked dangerous.

The match started at a pulsating rate. Sils pushed into Shrewsbury territory forcing them to concede a penalty after three minutes and ten metres out. A planned penalty move saw Tom Grant score the first try that was well converted by Robert Whitehouse. Five minutes later Rob Whitehouse hoisted a high kick to the left corner that was picked off by Andy Thompson at outside centre who touched down in the corner for a unconverted try. Sils kept the pressure on playing their normal good defensive and rucking game. During a long forward drive down field Shrewsbury found themselves with a scrum 5-metres out and a Sils put-in. David Ellis at No.8 picked up and drove over the line for the third try that went unconverted. After the restart Sils again put Shrewsbury under sustained pressure, constantly driving forward and recycling the ball. Just outside the 22-metres Cal Smith, having an exceptional game at scrum-half, played a quick ball from the base of a ruck back to Rob Whitehouse who slotted a drop goal. After the restart Shrewsbuty conceded a free kick that Rob Whitehouse took quickly to score an unconverted try. To round off the half another long drive put Sils near the try line and David Mundy, playing out of position at openside flanker, took his chance for a try almost under the posts that Rob Whitehouse converted.

Half-time arrived with the score Sils 32 Shrewsbury 0. With the game almost in the bag, Sils brought most of their bench on to start the second half.

Sils started the second half very strongly but Shrewsbury were not daunted until a potentially good move down their backline saw an interception by Tom Grant for his second try of the match. Rob Whitehouse kept up his good kicking performance with a conversion. However, Shrewsbury then quickly showed that they were not finished by running the ball out of their own 22-metres for a spectacular try under the Sils posts. This gave them an easy conversion. Having seen the speed and ability of the Shrewsbury backs Sils went back to possession rugby that had kept them in control. From the next drive the ball was spun wide to the right. Andrew Farmer, on the right wing, took it on and executed a superb reverse pass to Greg Taylor who scored in the right corner for an unconverted try. Sils then kept driving forward with rucks and mauls. In the next drive Laurence White made a storming 15-metre run but was brought down just short of the line but made the ball available to David Ellis who dived over to score his second unconverted try. David Mundy rounded off the match with a second try. Again it was the result of sustained pressure and gave Rob Whitehouse a simple conversion.

Sils now look forward the second round of the North Midlands Cup on 14 December 2003.

Under 15s Gain Decisive Victory
19th October 2003 - Newtown 19 Shrewsbury 48

Shrewsbury U15’s gained a decisive victory over Newtown on Sunday with a 48:19 final score. Six Shrewsbury tries in the first half gave a score of 36:5. Phil Andrews the first to score was quickly followed by his brother Tim who went on to score a hatrick. Sam Jones scored his try from a magnificent run and Mark Williams gained the first of his three tries in the first half with good running from depth.

After half-time Newtown came back at Shrewsbury with a tighter game using the strength of their forwards to better effect and pulled back with two converted tries. Swift running from Mark gave us a penalty try that was converted by scrum-half Jamie Thomas. Forwards, James Fairgreve and Adam Lunt both showed great determination in their play against the heavier home pack. While Jason Freeman and George Beesley played superb throughout with excellent tackling and support play. Well done lads!

Under 12s Unlucky 
12th October  2003 - Whitchurch 37 Shrewsbury 26

Shrewsbury's U12 team continued the excellent improvement that yielded many promising results last season with a hard fought defeat at Whitchurch. 
Although losing 37 - 26, the team showed great potential with Grant Churchill and Paul Bonser looking a potent half-back pairing.  Excellent debuts where made by Chris Hayes and Edward Roberts.  Shrewsbury's trys where scored by Paul Bonser, Henry Maybury, Josh Nolan and Ben Spenser-Jones with Craig Parry hitting three conversions.
 

Under 15s Progress to next round

Under 14s have a GREAT START TO THE SEASON

Shrewsbury Rugby Club Under 14's made a great start to their 2003/04 season when they travelled into Mid Wales to compete in the Llanidloes 10-a-side Junior Festival.
A squad of twelve took part in the 10-a-side game for the first time and with Welsh rules dictating uncontested scrums, team coaches Tim Harris and Simon Lewis felt the squad would be at a disadvantage. Their fears proved to be unfounded.

The first game against the home side Llanidloes was won by Shrewsbury 31 - 0 with tries from Richard Timmins, Tomos Edwards (2), Dominic Power and Alex Taylor. Next up came Builth Wells but they went the same way as the previous opposition losing 31 - 7 with tries from Angus Tennison-Collins, Tomos Edwards, Richard Timmins and Sam Lewis.

This put Shrewsbury into the final against Aberystwyth. The Welsh side were similarly unbeaten and so a hard fought final was in prospect. Shrewsbury tackled well and competed hard but the Aberystwyth team was too much for them and they lost 25 - 0.

As a start to the season, it was the best the team could have asked for and both coaches were very pleased with all the lads and the effort they put in.