Sadly a loss for the North Midland U20’s in their match against East Midlands.
North Midlands U20 v East Midlands
Unlike the previous game at Newport the weather was pleasantly dry during the game with a little breeze just to keep the temperature suitable for this Midlands play off against East Midlands. As is tradition we played up the slope in the first half but found it hard going against a well organised side. Some careless handling gave EM an opening that they took to get a converted try. From the restart NM began to function as we had hoped with both backs and forwards carrying strongly. NM created a couple of good openings which were stopped by an unseen (By the officials) deliberate knock on and then a handling error after an amazing run and interchange on our left wing. Eventually our pressure began to take effect and after 17 min we were level with Benji Ritson completing a score that he initiated before some good support work put him in the clear. (7 – 7) Despite a yellow card for a seen deliberate knock on, NM defended vigorously but EM crossed the line once more (7 – 12). Again NM surged and Benji kicked a penalty and NM attempted to see out the half but just in the 40th minute EM crossed again to make it 10 – 19 at half time.
With the slope and slight breeze with us NM pressed hard but it took 20 minutes before we succeeded with Billy Dinning crossing for Benji to convert 17 – 19. After 71 minutes EM kicked a penalty, NM had a try disallowed that almost all thought was good before finally with about 3 min left Benji scored again and converted to give us the lead 24 – 22. EM needed to reclaim possession from the restart and with time running out they did so, giving their 10 the opportunity to drop a goal to regain the lead. (Oh Bother) We did have time to restart but were unable to reclaim the ball so for a 2nd year running we failed to reclaim the Sable Head trophy for the Midlands Champions. Final score 24 – 25. No trip to Twickenham again!
All of the lads who have played this season gave their utmost, were a pleasure to work with and must be congratulated on the quality of the rugby they played. Also congratulations to the Coaching group led by Brett Prior with Dan Lavander and Steve Dolphin assisting.
12 of our lads have been invited to join the Midlands U20 Squad training this Sunday coming. Best wishes to all of them.
Full Match report from recent 2nd win for the North Midlands U20’s:
The U20’s secure a second win in their recent game against Staffordshire 60 / 15 at the weekend. They now move into the Midlands Playoff’s playing East Midlands on 3rd May.
Sadly, Will Longville suffered a serious injury whilst executing another excellent tackle early in the game against Staffordshire this weekend for the North Midlands U20’s squad.
What transpired following this horrendous incident was everything right about the rugby community.
Special mentions must go to the following people:
NLD Referee Dan Cole and his team for their initial management of the situation and communication throughout the situation.
North Mids physio Jodie Loughran & Staffordshire physio Reece Elliot for their control and calmness supporting Will.
Staffordshire RFU and Stafford RFC for their professional handling and organising of urgent medical care
The NHS, Ambulance and Air Ambulance service for their quick and effective support.
We wish Will a successful recovery.
U20’s successful in their opening campaign against Warwickshire full match report below.
Also here’s a link for match photos (Credit Xanderif) for these: https://photos.app.goo.gl/vXu1atxpKRUjbahB9
North Midlands U 20s v Warwickshire
After a lovely spring morning as soon as we kicked off the weather turned into a veritable monsoon. This hardly seemed to impede the team as we played up hill against the wind first half with several smart handling movements in the early exchanges. After 8 minutes we finally kept the ball and enabled Charlie Pugh to cross for a try converted by Benji Ritson. Shortly after some sloppy fielding of the ball allowed Warks to get a try and convert it. Almost immediately North struck again with Jake Reynolds touching down. For some time the game ebbed and flowed in the middle of the pitch but after 30 minutes Benji Hurford-John was put clear to score in the corner. Almost immediately from the KO JR struck again with Benji Ritson adding the conversion. There was just time for Warks to score a second try to make the Half-Time Score NM 24 Warks 14
During the HT interval the deluge abated but despite the better conditions, the slope and the wind it took a while for NM to add to the score when after several forward drives Charlie Spencer drove over. Despite our pressure Warks held out aided by some good defensive kicking from their 10 and 15 and a touch of white line fever by NM but eventually our persistence paid off for Harry Peregrine to score. The game turned into an attack and defend procession but finally in the 80th minute Monty Stott-Slater completed the scoring to make the final score 39 – 14 and a bonus point victory in our first outing.
We now travel up the road to Stafford on April 19th for our second Group Match
Team: Jacob Reynolds, Benji Hurford-John, Charlie Pugh, Ewan Tulloch, Ciaran Dunne, Elliot Dolphin(Capt), Benji Ritson, Jeremy Akena, Oliver Bird, Dan Nicholson, Monty Stott-Slater, Charlie Spencer, Archie Davies, Henry Appleby, Harry Peregrine: Connor Pugh, Will Longville, Josh Thackeray, Harley Meakin, Josh Williams, Naile Byrne, Tom Tilley, Ned Whitworth
Here’s your U20’s squad to face Warwickshire on Sunday 15th March at Newport RFC K/O at 2:30pm
The dates have been published for the County U20’s Men’s fixtures:
We have no details as yet for the U20’s Competition for 2025/2026.
All archived results and squad sheets can be found here: https://northmidsrfu.co.uk/senior-mens-archive-files/
If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact:
John Griffiths
Telephone: 07736 244638
Email: Johngnmrfu@gmail.com