2024 / 2025 SEASON

North Midlands U20’s V East Midlands Sunday 25th May squad line up:

North Midlands at East Midlands Under 20s

NM put up a dogged show in the Midlands Play off at Bedford Athletic on Sunday but were unable to progress to the Semi-final of this year’s Jason Leonard Competition against last season’s winners.

Despite starting positively and taking the game to EM we fell behind on their first visit to our half with a penalty. This was repeated after a further 10 minutes before we almost immediately replied with a penalty by Benji Ritson. After 10 minutes of midfield efforts we slipped behind to a converted try and a penalty. Despite lots of pressure and territorial command NM could not make any response until half-time. (16 – 3)

Turning round to play with the wind NM struck early with a penalty by Benji in the first minute and a second after 10 min to make the score 16 – 9. Unfortunately we were unable to clear the restart and this led to an EM try after some pressure in our 22 (21 – 9) We replied quickly with a well worked try for Full Back Ben Hurford-John. (21 – 14) with NM looking favourites. Again we got stuck in our own territory and conceded a penalty. From the Kick off EM missed to catch the ball even after it bounced and Ellis Deans-Smith pounced for a bizarre run-in try (24 – 19)

With the final whistle approaching NM threw caution to the wind in an attempt to grab the win but errors occurred and from one of them EM got a final try and conversion and then a penalty. Despite running to the end we could not get the points that would have taken us to Lancashire for the Semi-Final.  Final score (34 – 19)

The lads who have played for NM this season produced our best results since Covid and have all committed to the training and matches. Nearly all of the lads who were in any of the match squads will be still eligible for next season. This should give us the confidence to expect to make even more progress.

Congratulations to the Players and the Coaching team led by Brett Prior

North Midlands U20’s v Staffordshire

On a blazing hot Sunday NM at Bridgnorth RFC NM took on Staffs in their final Jason Leonard Group Game with the winners progressing to the Midlands Final.

During the first 15 min both sides probed the opposition with the best scoring opportunity coming when Skipper Alex Powell made a superb break only for the move to break down when a try looked almost sure. With more To and Fro North Midlands broke the deadlock with a promising backs movement for Ben Hurford-John to score in the left corner. Benji Ritson converted. North began to dominate the game and followed up with a second try from Ellis Deans-Smith who was able to touch down close to the posts with Benji again converting (14 – 0) Any thoughts of having done the hard work were immediately foiled from the KO with an obstruction penalty. Kick into the corner; catch and drive line out and a try for the Staffs Tight Head converted by the Fly half. (14 – 7) From the restart we attacked strongly and got a “break down” penalty for Benji to add the points (17 – 7) Once again our failure to control the restart kick enabled Staffs to gain territory and after some good defence close to the line they battered through for a try by Lock Bedson again converted. Half time (17 – 14)

With replacements at Half-Time adding experience (Iolo Bubb) and bulk (Ben Lewis) NM started strongly with Ben H-J getting in near the right corner. (22 – 14) Daylight between the sides was appearing but back came Staffs with a try by Centre Dono again converted (22 – 21) It was back to nip and tuck with both sides making good recovery tackles but no further scores for 15 minutes. With a hot weather water break after 60 minutes Captain Powell was replaced by Malachai Stuffins who had himself just been subbed off as Hooker. His own replacement Conor Pugh completed a strong NM period of attack to score with Lewis Simpson converting (29 – 21) This was added to by a penalty by Simpson (32 -21) to nearly put the game to bed before Staffs ran everything from all quarters and threatened to beat us to the post. They got close with an unconverted try but made handling errors for NM to regain the ball at a scrum and finish the game worthy winners (32 – 26)

Congratulations to all of the Squad for their determined efforts on a boiling hot day. Their reward is a trip to Bedford to take on East Midlands with the winners taking on the Nort Champions for a place in the final at Twickenham

NM Squad: Newport unless otherwise stated Billy Dinning, Ben Hurford-John, Lewis Simpson(Moseley Oak) Charlie Pugh, Ellis Deans-Smith, Elliot Dolphin, Benji Ritson (Bridgnorth) Jacob Tomkinson(Bridgnorth), Malachai Stuffins(Hereford), Moses Tshiangala(DK), Josh Thackeray, Archie Davies(Luctonians), Charlie Spencer(Moseley Oak), Alex Powell(Luctonians), Tom Smith(Whitchurch) Conor Pugh, Joe Watts(Luctonians), Ben Lewis(Ledbury), Billy List(Bridgnorth), Toby Egerton, Iolo Bubb(Ledbury), Rhys Lewis(Luctonians) and Jack Farrell(Camp Hill)

North Midlands Under 20s v Warwickshire

NM began their Jason Leonard Cup Competition with a stunning victory over Warwickshire at Broadstreet RFC on Sunday

Playing against the wind North Midlands pressed early on but a lack of accuracy saved our opponents for a few minutesbefore Elliot Dolphin (10) completed a sweeping attck to score near the posts for Benji Ritson(9) to convert. This was followed bty a secotry by Billy Dinning(15)  Converted by Benji. Some slooppy defence and unneeded penalties gave Warwiks a fooyhold from which thir heavy pack drove the lineout to score and convert.

North Mids hit back strongly but could not get across the line until after 20 minutes Ben Lewis(5) drove over again Beji converted. This was quickly followed by a try from Ben Hurford-John. Again Warks used a Driving lineout to score but NM began to up the pace with a further try by Skipper Alex Powell (7) and Benji to convert. 12 – 33 at Half-Time

It took 10 minutes for the score to change when Henry Williams(13) scythed though with Benji addind the conversion again. Almost straight from the restart NM faffed about and let Warks score again before Billy Dinning finished a splendid team try again added to by Benji.4

This was folled rapidly by a second try for Ben H-J coverted by replacement LewisSimpson(22) and another from Jack Farrell(“£) and a trhird in 5 minutes by Cono Pugh(16) and Lewis converted. With the result all but decided we again relaxed and let our opponents in for a fourth try before we just had time for an 11^th try by Tom Pick (19)

Under 20 Jason Leonard Midlands Division Pool C

26 April 25 Warwickshire (Away)

10 May 25 Staffordshire (Home)

24 May 25 Divisional Final (Away)

John Griffiths

Telephone: 07736 244638

Email: Johngnmrfu@gmail.com

Head Coach – Brett Prior – bpriorcoach@gmail.com

Please see the Rules & Regulations for the competition which are current for this season (24/25) – County Championship Regulations 2023-24 – FINAL CLEAN (Post Council)