Under 17s just lose Divisional Title

The under 17s narrowly lost 15-12 to Bristol in a superb game of rugby for the South West Divisional title at Newbury yesterday. Bristol, unbeaten this season and linked to the professional club, had a big well-drilled pack and starved us of ball for most of the first half. They scored two tries, one from a lineout drive,and led 15-0 at the break. In the second half our boys delivered probably their best ever performance as a squad. The forwards tore into the opposition and secured some good ball for the backs to terrorise Bristol. Two early tries were scored by Tom Shiel, one he converted and the game looked there to be stolen. Agonisingly, two try scoring passes just went to ground and a late penalty attempt missed by inches. Bristol never looked like scoring in the second half and their pack just kept the ball tight as long aS they could. Time finally run out, much to their relief and very much to our frustration. The players did the club proud yesterday and were able to walk off the pitch with their heads held high. Tom Smalley led his team superbly and Matt Craggs led the pack by example. However, every player played to their very best and can be proud of their performance.

Squad: Rice,Jackson,Kenyon,Maw,Shiel,Shevlane,Smalley,Reus,Sendell,H-Krell,Szwagrzak,Vialls,Telford,Imbriano,Rogers,Thornton,Shipp,
Craggs,Smith,Biggins,Saunders.