Under 16s
U16's Season 2011/2
Sunday 29th January 2012
HW 17:20 A&C (League)
Tries: Marote, Hemmings, Thomas
Con: Greenstreet
Pen: Greenstreet
Hard-fought win sets up League decider for A&C
In arguably the biggest game of the season so far, two giants of Bucks rugby met in a pulsating encounter that would only be won by 3 points.
After an inspiring pre-match team talk by captain Lever, the boys were raring to go against Wycombe, who themselves were looking to bounce back after a defeat against Buckingham. The game started promisingly for Amersham, as Deane broke through the Wycombe line but was cut down by some ruthless tackling, unfortunately leading to injury.
The deadlock was finally broken after winger Marote touched down in the corner after some solid forward play. An opportunistic try was scored several minutes later, when Hemmings capitalised on a Wycombe fumble to add 5 more points, the conversion easily kicked by a confident Greenstreet. The game soon turned into a battle of the forwards, as both sides looked to dominate in both the rucks and mauls.
The second half seemed to be Amersham’s for the taking after Thomas scored with a mesmerising, bat-like dance through the outstretched arms of the Wycombe back line. However, perhaps missing the infectious enthusiasm of Adam “The Step” Allright, Amersham let Wycombe back into the game, with 2 tries conceded in quick succession, taking the score up to 17-10. A coolly-taken penalty from Fizzle Kick Greenstreet which described the flight of an Ernie Els 6 iron was enough to win the game for Amersham, even after a last minute Wycombe try.
Wycombe were great hosts and the game was played with real passion and spirit and true to the values of this great game.
Mike Thomas
Sunday 22nd January 2012
A&C 24:24 Luton (F)
Tries: John, Free, Wood, Thomas
Con: John 2
4 consecutive weeks without a match for some so we were raring to go. Wednesdays of Gruelling fitness and preparation. 112 protein shakes consumed in total. 14 gallons of testosterone 'saved up'. Rugday was due like an oversized baby in a undersized womb..
The valiant soldiers of our story gathered in a changing room, some soldiers slightly more awake than some who thought Fifa was more appropriate preparation than endless press ups and raw egg snorting.
Eventually, the boys stumbled out to the railway pitch, or 'mount everest with posts' and started to warm up.
The warm up was loud, the boys were ready to hold, hold, IMpress. Punbelivable.
Although the starting line up had never played together before, confidence was pulsating through their rugveins.
The soldiers started strongly, scoring rapidly on the LEFT WING after a matter of minutes. Recent december signing Philip 'yella top' John eventually put egg-to-grass and then successfully converted. Bravo n ting.
Egos were lifted, confidence was boosted and Sir Greenstreet III put on what we all call 'Clive's happy face'. A face that has the power to guide any team through a battle.
The next try was yet again scored by the mighty a+c in their heroic conquest. An outstanding leg drive by Tom 'freetom' Free eventually gave him the try that he was no doubt dreaming about for months. Yella top converts. Tekkers.
After consistant battling from Henry 'bosh' Wood, he secured his try after successfully 'boshing' most of the opposition.
Then, after a little conferring with our (down with the trumpets) coach, Sir Cutter, it was decided that 'nooooo!! 3 tries not enough!!'. It was decided after much discussion that Mikey 'the better step' Thomas should score this try. He did just that.
So anyway, 2nd half, few subs made, they scored 4 tries using the second half conditions to their advantage.The Luton boys were v happy with their second half performance scoring in the dying seconds to make it 24-24 with a chance to snatch victory with the conversion. Alas the kick was pulled wide so honours were shared.
What is important is that the soldiers gave their all out there and it was apparently sick to watch. Fizzy Bubbly all round.
Adam "The Step" Allright
Sunday 15th January 2012
A&C 26: 0 Beaconsfield (League)
Tries: Marote, Greenstreet 2, Westgarth
Pens: Greenstreet 2
A&C march on...
The U16 crowd were treated to an excellent team performance as Beaconsfield were slowly but comprehensively well beaten. From the early exchanges it was clear that the Amersham front five had the upper hand at scrummage and lineout. The back row battle was keenly contested at every breakdown. As the match worn on Carey at No8 made much ground ably supported by Owen and Deane. In the first half our backs took a little time to settle in attack but by half time the scene had been set. Despite much pressure we were only ahead by a Greenstreet penalty and an excellent back move finished off by Marote in the corner. At half time the score was 8-0 and Beaconsfield were still very much in the match.
Beaconsfield were despatched with a 10 minute display of complete rugby at the start of the second half. Forwards and backs linked during a series of phases with “hard yards” through the forwards followed by slick hands in the backs to see Greenstreet cross the line near the corner flag. The next try followed a similar pattern but this time it was finished off by a characteristic “bullocking” drive to the line by Giles Westgarth. The pack was building up steam and direct running by Lever and Martin had Beaconsfield defending for most of the half. Three more points were kicked by Greenstreet to keep the pressure on. The score was now 21-0. The Beaconsfield pack were now struggling and substitutions forced the need for uncontested scrums.
Beaconsfield were limited to a few break outs but never really threatened to score. Defence was excellent particularly Spargo, Jenkins and Hemmings who let nothing through in the midfield. Following a number of substitutions there was time for one more try. Forwards and backs combined again to put Greenstreet clear for another race to the line wide out - 26-0.
This was a thoughtful, powerful and disciplined performance. The whole squad are to be congratulated.
KH
Sunday Dec 11th 2011
A&C 64:3 Aylesbury (League)
Tries: Owen, Spargo 2, Westgarth, Martin, Jenkins, Deane, Preston, Carey, Greenstreet
Cons: Greenstreet 7
A&C put the record straight
On the back of last week's thrilling Cup victory at Buckingham , A&C turned their attention towards the League encounter with Aylesbury, with a point to prove, after the single defeat of the season to date inflicted by a "strong" Aylesbury "B"team, and were able to welcome back the RGS trio of Owen, Hemmings and Spargo
Ahead of the game, skipper Lever delivered another of his increasingly legendary, motivational speeches, exhorting the boys to send Aylesbury back to their mothers (or something like that...), suitably inspired, A&C immediately took control demonstrating the strength of our pack with Owen, breaking off a ruck and diving over to give Chiltern an early lead.
Next it was the turn of the backs to show great handling, elusive footwork and pace as Spargo ran in two tries from distance.
Before half time Westgarth and Martin showed strength and determination for further tries and then Jenkins made amends for earlier missing a golden opportunity to finish what could have been the try of the game following great build-up and offloads, when Greenstreet returned an Aylesbury clearance at pace to set up the try for Jenkins.
At half time the lead was 40 points with Aylesbury having just a single penalty as reward for their endeavours.
The second half continued in the same vein and with greater precision further tries could have come sooner than those added by Deane, Preston and Carey, before Greenstreet finished the scoring with a great team try created by further excellent, quick handling
A great performance from A&C, dominant from first whistle to last, leaves us undefeated in the League and well placed to push on after the Xmas break in League and Cup
Well done lads - let's keep it going....
Ben Marote
Sunday Dec 4th 2011
Buckingham 12:13 A&C (Bucks Cup QF)
Tries: Thomas, Marote
Pen: Greenstreet
Almost Groundhog Day....
According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter-like weather will soon end. If it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow, and the winter weather will continue for six more weeks. In modern parlance is has also come to mean that a situation that happens repeatedly in exactly the same way.
Moreover it was Albert Einstein(1879 - 1955) who offered the definition of insanity as "to do the same thing over and over again and expect a different result".
Was Einstein right? Was it to be a Groundhog Day when A&C met Buckingham for a place in the Bucks Cup semi final? Under slate grey skies no shadows were cast so maybe things would be different. We have lost the past 3 encounters to Buckingham after controlling the game in terms of territory and possession, only to allow our lead to slip away in the final moments. Surely history was not going to repeat itself for a 4th time was it?
And so it was that we were up 8:nil at half time with a penalty from Fizzler Greenstreet and a fantastic try out wide by Mike Thomas after going through the phases neatly. We competed well at the breakdown, our line out functioned well, we created some good opportunities midfield and out wide. We were in control. Then there was a break in the clouds, the sun made a brief appearance. The groundhog appeared, saw his shadow and it seemed to all that history would indeed repeat itself. Bucks came out firing on all 12 cylinders. Mr Lund was in fine form and scored twice in close succession. Hang on a second, all of a sudden we are 12-8 down with 7 minutes to play. Crikey.
The Shiplake due of Deano and Carey cranked up a gear, Westgarth and Lever found new reserves of grunt and we found ourselves gathering momentum. After a fine passage of play Jenkins cut out most of the backline to find Marote on the wing ready to use that recently found weapon...the hand-off. Nice try by Ben to put a margin of one between us and them. Fizzler missed the tricky conversion. All we had to do was hold on to the ball for 4 minutes and deny Bucks the same type of victory over us that they have become used to. We held on...just. No more groundhogs or Einstien, we're through to the semis.
Jake Cutter
Sunday Nov 27th 2011
A&C 32:24 Wasps
Tries: Allright, Marote 2, Martin, Free
Cons: Greenstreet 2
Pen: Greenstreet
Amersham & Chiltern hold firm
There once was a team called Amersham and Chiltern, this is the epic tale behind their latest unbelievable victory against a team called Wasps.
It was a bright and windy Sunday morning, 25 boys woke up with a smile on their face, as they knew that today was the day. Oh yes, it was Rugday.
Boots were fresh, hair mildly washed and spirits were high. The boys met on the foetus pitch (or the 'veterans' pitch as some call it).
Emerging player and king of modesty, Adam Allright, turned up slightly late as he had been up all night revising backs moves.
After much discussion, talk of that all-important first hit and naughty words; the first team put on their shirts and marched out, displaying their maroon and white with pride.
After a few minutes, Chiltern decided that it would be responsible to let Wasps score a try (to let them get a little happiness). Ed 'lloydy' Lloyd did well to gain ball in hand, but was unfortunately taken down and injured. All the best for Lloydy's speedy recovery.
Fortunately, however, help was at hand in the form of Adam 'the Step'
Allright.
Adam came on and gave his all, two minutes later, an outstanding pass was received by 'the Step' from Harry 'Greenboy' Preston.The step ran onto the ball at blistering pace (close to that of Usain Gallagher's pace). Adam ran and stepped inside the Wasps winger and then carried himself through oncoming tackles to lose his try-ginity and score maybe the best try of all time. Maybe.
Ryan 'Fizzle kick' Greenstreet then proceeded toconvert the momentous try, with an absolute belter. Take a bow, son.
Ben 'limelight-stealer' Marote then scored a cracker of a try down the right flank. The try was close to conversion, as Fizzle kick was playing crossbar challenge with himself.
Due to our new-found domination, Chiltern saw it asonly fair to let the Wasp people score another try.
After some incredible battling in the forwards, Fizzle Kick kicked a swell penalty and gave A+C the lead once again.
Naturally, an incredible battle emerged between the two sets of forwards. Wasps took advantage of their weight and strength to power through our forwards and score a try and convert it.
Luckily, Ben Marote rejoined the game with another trybefore half time to which Ryan could not convert due to excessive wind (do not misinterpret). The Wasps fly half was very accurate also but he also experienced wind problems as he failed to convert the third Wasps try.
After bare strength n ting, John Martin forced his way over the try line.
Although he experienced a fairly solid game, Ben Marote experienced the conditions when he knocked the ball on, over the try line; denying him the hatrick. Chin up, son.
With just a minute or so to go Tom ‘nowaflanker’ Free charged through the Wasps back line to get his first try for a while, for A+C.
Sound.
The final score lay at 32-24 to Chilts. A great result to lead us in to an important phase of the season. Top notch tekkers, boys.
Adam Allright
Sunday Nov 13th 2011
Chinnor 8:40 A&C (F)
Tries: Preston, Cutter 2, Westgarth, Fisher, Marote
Con: Greenstreet 4, Jackson
Amersham & Chiltern on a roll
The match was made up of three twenty minute thirds, we dominated every third. We started the game at a slow pace, and after conceding a penalty to Chinnor which they converted, that was changed by a superb try by Harry Preston in the opening minutes, converted by Ryan Greenstreet. It was then followed shortly by another try by Jake Cutter, again converted by Ryan Greenstreet.
We started the next third with a great flare and positive energy, this resulted in a penalty against Chinnor, which was tapped and a try was scored by Giles Westgarth powering over the line, converted by Ewan Jackson. We seemed to get on the wrong side of the ref for a short period as we were on the back foot, on our try line. This resulted in poor communication and decision making that allowed Chinnor to score their only try.
After a brief team talk we settled our minds and focused on the job at hand. This showed as we score three tries (Max Fisher, Jake Cutter, Ben Marote) two converted by Ryan Greenstreet. The final score was a win for Amersham and Chiltern 8-40.
I feel that we have dramatically improved in all areas of our game, especially our rucking where we have sometimes struggled this season. Best performance of the season so far.
Aidan Lever, captain u16
Sunday Oct 9th 2011
Milton Keynes 22:31 A&C (F)
Amersham & Chiltern make it 3 in a row
Milton Keynes have improved since last year and gave us a really good match. The rugby was competitive and free-flowing; really enjoyable to watch.
It was good to see the Shiplake trio of Carey, Deane and Jenkins working well together. Some good strong finishing by Westgarth and some creativity from Buckman. Pallet stood out for his defence in the forwards and Fisher in the backs. It was good to see Dunkleman play his first match in an A&C shirt too.
TC
Sunday Sept 25th 2011
Marlow 8 : 18 Amersham & Chiltern (League)
Tries: Greenstreet, Fisher
Con: Greenstreet
Pens: Greenstreet
Amersham & Chiltern emerge victorious in "feisty" encounter
A good start to our competitive season with an away victory against Marlow. Well done to the playing squad with some standout performances (Carey at 8 and Preston at 12 in particular). Tackling was generally very good which was pleasing.
It was a physical battle, and one we should have made easier for ourselves. Tries scored by Greenstreet and Fisher were hard earned, but rewarding. Other points all came from Greenstreet's boot. We didn't help ourselves by getting on the wrong side of the ref, Chris Preston has kindly agreed to give us a ref's view on game management!
TC