Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union

Under 20's

Report by Barrie Lewis 13.03.07

Gloucestershire U20s play the last of the South West group matches when they play Cornwall at Lydney Sunday 18^th March kick off 2.30pm.

The winners of the group will go on to play in the quarter finals on 1^st April. Gloucestershire would have to score well and send Cornwall home without a win.

The other match in the region is Devon home to Somerset so the group winners could be either of these or Gloucestershire. The County selectors and coaches have had great difficulties this season owing to injuries and non availability which shows with nine changes in this match from their last win when they defeated Devon at Plymouth by the odd point.

Rory Baker (Coney Hill)

Gerraint Webb (Cheltenham North)

James Tomblin (Cleve)

Tom Davies (Stow)

Matt Betty (Hartpury College)

James Correia (Lydney)

Jack Avery (Cheltenham College)

Lee Warren (Bath University)

Tom Bozzard (Hucclecote)

Ben Hunter (Hartpury College)

Dave Bennett (Captain) (Lydney)

Chris Jones (Cinderford)

Matt Hurdle (Gordon League)

Chris McNeil (Cinderford)

John Hennessy (Matson)

Replacements

Nathan Huntley (Cleve)

Ed Tellwright (St Mary’s Old Boys)

Ashley Howells (Matson)

Ben Brinkworth (Stroud)

Richard Wand (Cheltenham College)

John Santer (Chippenham

Judd Martin (Stroud)

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GRFU Under 20s v Warwickshire

The Glos U20s squad had their first friendly of the season before going on in late January into the Under 20s County Championship when they played Warwickshire at Cheltenham North RFC on Sunday 10^th December. The game saw two sides playing some good rugby, well refereed by Matt Barley who is a student at University of Gloucestershire.

Glos U20s were well lead by second row Dave Bennett (Lydney) and it was the Glos forwards that got on top early and provided plenty of ball to the backs. The kicking of half backs Donald Blake (Clifton) and fly half James Correia (Lydney) kept the Glos forwards in their opponents half for long periods. Following an attack by the forwards the ball was moved quickly to the right wing, who out-sprinted his opposition and provided a pass back inside to prop Lee Warren (Bath University) who crossed for Correia to convert.

Warwickshire responded with a simple penalty (7-3) but Correia restored the lead to 7 points with a well struck penalty and followed with another to make the score 13-3 at half time.

Both squads made changes at half-time to give all players a chance. The Gloucestershire pack soon settled down again and their rucks and mauls kept them going forward. The home side increased their lead with a penalty goal kicked by Rory Baker (Coney Hill) 16-3. Following a maul the forwards drove over the line and John Santer (Filton College) touched down (21-3). The conditions were now very muddy with the Gloucestershire pack rolling and mauling again for Richard Wand (Cheltenham) to score (26-3). Tries followed by John Santer and Chris McNeil (Cinderford) to make the final score 36-3. Things look good for Gloucestershire U20s this season, bearing in mind there were still players unavailable for this match.

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20^th September 2006

To: GRFU Clubs, Schools, Colleges, Universities

Dear Colleagues inRugby

REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY AT UNDER 20 FOR SEASON 2006/07

Players must be under 20 on 1^st January 2007 i.e. born 1987 or 1988. Can you please nominate, as you wish, your better players who are capable of paying at county standard, for the forthcoming campaign as soon as possible, but no later than 27^th September 2006.

Players who are still at school but are too old for Under 18 Representative are eligible. Please send your nominations to: Gerald Ward, Team Secretary, "Willowbrae" Gorsley, Ross on Wye, HR9 7SH Tel. No: 01989 720706 E-mail: wgward@hotmail.com.

The team coaches are Paul Morris and Steve Planchard

Programme

Friendly Fixtures

Glos v Warwickshire at Cheltenham North RFC Sunday, 10th December k.o. 2.30pm

Cheshire v Glos at Nantwick RFC Sunday, 14th January 2007 k.o. 2.30pm

Championship Fixtures

Devon v Glos at Plymouth Albion RFC Sunday 21st Jan 2007 k.o. 2.30pm

Somerset v Glos at Weston super Mare RFC Sunday 4th Feb k.o. 2.30pm

Glos v Cornwall at Lydney RFC Sunday 18th March k.o. 2.30pm

Quarter finals Sunday 1st April 2007

Finals 28th April 2007

County Under 17 Development

For information. Please note that in accordance with RFU age grade rugby review, Gloucestershire will not be playing representative rugby, this season, at this age group. There will be a development programme and assessment for these players together with potential Under 18s in the New Year. Dates to follow.

This decision will mean that Under 17 players, will be available for more club and school activity.

It is recognised that due to Under 18s rugby, being 1^st January eligibility, more Under 17s are likely to be selected for Under 18s representative rugby.

Yours sincerely