Cheshire U17s 14 – 7 Lancashire U17 Development Squad
Sunday 24th April
Chester RUFC
The Lancashire U17 Development Squad was unable to build on the promise of last week’s first half performance against Yorkshire and succumbed to a narrow defeat at Chester RUFC.
The purpose of the County games at this level is to build a squad of players capable of being recognised for North Division selection at U18 level in the autumn. The coaches and management team are less interested in the results of these games, although a win of course is always nice, but are keener to see the development of players, many of whom will be playing County rugby for the first time.
At half time, with the score 0-0, and chances to score at a premium, Coach Dan Orwin reflected on the number of missed tackles, turnovers lost and unforced errors by Lancashire which, if continued, would make any game difficult to win.
After 58 minutes Henry Pearson capitalised on a Cheshire unforced error within the Lancashire 22 to race the length of the field and score a try, converted by Ciaran Johnson, to take the lead. However, the pattern of the first half continued and minutes later Cheshire had taken a 14-7 lead when further unforced errors by Lancashire allowed their opponents to take the advantage.
To their credit, despite Lancashire playing below par, the red-rose team did then camp in their opponents 22 to try and force the score that would allow the chance to even the game. The gilt-edged opportunity duly arrived when a two-on-one was created in the left wing channel but, with the story of a disappointing afternoon continuing, the chance was spurned.
The squad will reflect on sticking to the game-plan, doing the basics well and with precision, and better game management before next weeks’ encounter with Staffordshire.
Team
1 Declan Norrington, Preston Grasshoppers RUFC
2 Josh Belt, Myerscough College & Kirkby Lonsdale RUFC
3 Lewis Ellison, AKS Lytham
4 Jack Granby, Runshaw College & Tarleton RUFC
5 Joe Hunt, Myerscough College
6 Kai Smith, Ormskirk VI Form College & Ormskirk RUFC
7 Jack McCutcheon, Myerscough College
8 Morgan Sword, Ermysted’s Grammar School & Preston Grasshoppers RUFC
9 Alex Meredith, Audenshaw School & Ashton under Lyne RUFC
10 Ciaran Johnson, Blackpool Sixth Form College & Fylde RUFC
11 Matthew Bargh, Lancaster Royal Grammar School
12 Matthew Gallagher, Kirkham Grammar School & Sale FC
13 Sam Stott, Lancaster Royal Grammar School & Vale of Lune RUFC
14 Joshua Rawlinson, Merchant Taylors, Crosby & Preston Grasshoppers RUFC
15 George Lilleywhite, Bolton School & Bolton RUFC
Bench
16 Alex Lewis-Booth, Kirkham Grammar School & Stockport RUFC
17 Connor Johnson, Myerscough College & Blackburn RUFC
18 Thomas Shorrock, Merchant Taylors, Crosby & Waterloo RUFC
19 Jay Bairstow, Blackpool Sixth Form College & Fylde RUFC
20 Callum Bolton, Myerscough College & Ashton under Lyne RUFC
21 Rhys Llewellyn, Myerscough College & Blackburn RUFC
22 Henry Pearson, Kirkham Grammar School & Fylde RUFC
23 Adam Woosey, Myerscough College & Ormskirk RUFC