Sussex RFU Under 20 Squad

Sussex U 20 County Championship - London & SE - Group B   2012

Unfortunately Hertfordshire beat Hampshire so we did not quite make the semi-finals, we finished third in our group one point away from second spot.

A big thank you to all the players who took part, We wish you all success in your rugby career, it has been a pleasure to be involved with you all.

Paul Colley, Rob Lawrence, Billy Toone, Bobby Skelton, Sam Goacher,

Don Lawrence   Manager Sussex U20

Sussex 17 - Hampshire 44
Sussex U20 v Hampshire U20 at Chichester RFC - Sunday 17th January

Sussex U20’s v Hampshire U20’s
On a windy Sunday afternoon at Chichester RFC Sussex U20’s took on their very impressive Hampshire U20’s, last years finalists.
Sussex kicked off into the strong wind, but it was Hants who were soon on the attack stealing a Sussex line out, Elsmere the Hants tight head went on a storming run, quick ball was spread wide and a try looked inevitable, fortunately for Sussex a knock on gave them a chance to clear their lines. From the scrum Marshall attacked blind and a good kick and chase and some big tackles put Hants on the back foot, Leach sustained an injury and had to leave the pitch. Hants regained their composure and a good passage of play saw their full back Hammond score in the corner, the conversion was missed. Hants were soon on the attack again and gained a penalty for not rolling away, the kick to the corner line out, driving maul and a try by the hooker Clarke not given by the referee who was on the spot but by the linesman who was some 20 yards away strange I thought, this was converted by Clements 12-0 to Hants. Sussex got back into the match after some good play Thompson broke the Hants line and a smart offload when tackled put Gillings clear, strong running a good handoff saw him under the posts, Marsh added the extras 12-7 to Hants. Hants kick off saw Darcey taken out in the air but nothing given, Hants continued to attack and good handling saw Tindall score in the corner again the conversion was missed 17-7. Sussex were back on the attack and patient build up saw them close to the Hants line the ball came to Shone who crashed over to make it 17-12 the conversion missed. With seconds left Sussex were again penalised for holding on Clements struck the penalty through the uprights 20-12 as the half time whistle went. The penalty count in the first half was 17 to 4 in favour of Hants a contributing factor in the score. I fear the referee was fairly blinkered.

The second half started with the assistance of the fairly strong wind Sussex had high hopes of clawing back the 8 point deficit -  Burnham replaced Deans in the front row to add some extra pace , a good early kick by Wilson pinned Hants down in their own 22 Sussex drove to the line and Burnham appeared to get the ball down only for the Referee to say ball held up; this was to be the start of a string off decisions to go against the Sussex blues, the resulting scrum was lost and the chance gone.  The blues pressed again but a big knock on from the Hants 9 was missed and as is the way Hampshire broke from deep inside their own 22 to deep into the Sussex half.

Peach came on for seriously groggy Darcey but was immediately sin binned for a late tackle having been on the pitch for only 30 seconds – a harsh call to say the least, with Sussex down 7 in the pack Hants turned the screw and a try by Ovens unconverted saw Hants extend their lead to 25-12. After 70 minutes Hants scored again through Hammond 30-12, this was quickly followed by two more tries by Tindall to give him his hat-trick both were converted by Knight -44-12 to Hants. The final score went to Sussex with Thompson finishing off good work by the pack, the conversion missed the Referee blew his whistle to end the game. 44-17 .    Sussex had remained in the game for 70 minutes but a very good Hants side overpowered them in the end. The score line perhaps a little flattering. Sussex Face Surrey next on February the 5th at Guildford RFC and a good win could see them through to the group semi-finals.

Sussex U20 -  18    -    Hertfordshire U20  -  16
played on Sunday 8th January 2012 at Merchant Taylors School, Northwood

Sussex U20’s started their 2011-12 campaign with a hard fought victory away to a good Hertfordshire side. Preparations were badly thwarted by the weather and only one trial/training game was achieved despite this Sussex quickly gelled together as a unit and got stronger as the game progressed.

Sussex were the first to attack, a good carry by Gue saw them deep into Herts. 22, a long clearance kick by Herts. was gathered by Marsh who set off on a maisey run the ball was quickly shifted along the line to Gillings with a great offload to Cavozzi, coming on a perfect line to crash over 5-0.

Herts. came back strongly and Sussex were forced to give away penalties in trying to defend, from one of these a kick to the corner, line out and two quick phases and the Herts. no 7 crossed the line wide out 5-5, the conversion missed. Herts. continued to attack ,again poor discipline by Sussex gave Herts. an easy penalty in front of the posts, which they duly took 5-8. Sussex came more into the game but after some fine handling from a ruck Sussex took the wrong option and went blind instead of open where they had a big overlap. Sussex’s turn to defend a big tackle by Thompson turn over ball and Sussex were back on the attack, good work by Shone was continued on the ball came out to Wilson on the wing his kick forward bounced awkwardly and enabled him to gather and run in for the score 10-8.we then had a period of play in the middle of the pitch with neither side making too much headway. Herts.  had the final say of the half, a knock on by Sussex gave Herts. a scrum on just outside the 22, from this the ball went quickly wide and their number 10 looping round scored in the corner, again the conversion was missed the ref blew for half time 10-13.

Dean came on for Goacher at half time. Sussex started the second half brightly and after only two minutes were back in front, the best move of the match saw Thompson Wilson and Marsh link together with some perfectly timed passes interlinking before Marsh was put away to score 15-13. Sussex began to turn the screw with the pack starting to dominate with Pellett, Gue, Dean, Cavozzi and Peach putting Herts. under enormous pressure, resulting in a penalty in front of the posts unfortunately the kick hit the post and the danger was cleared.Jack Walker came on at scrum half with Elliot Marshall going to 10, replacing Kirkpatrick who at 18 years of age had put in a good performance. The tempo was upped by Sussex but a few mistakes and some stout Herts. defence kept the scoreline the same.More changes saw Uta on for Peach Woodworth for Dean Lasis for Wood who had made  massive tackles all day Hyde for Gue, and Ethan Walker for Harte. Still Sussex dominated possession but failed to score. As happens in these situations Herts. turned over ball in their own 22 and decided to run it, a great break by the flyhalf saw him over the halfway line and deep into the Sussex half, good covering by Marsh stopped him and his offload went straight to Shone covering back. Sussex could not clear their lines though and Herts. attacked down the right a penalty ensued for handling on the ground, an infringement Sussex were guilty of far too often, The Herts. 10 stepped up and slotted the kick through the posts to give them the lead 15-16 with 4 minutes left on the clock. Sussex restart was spot on and their forwards turned over ball, with some good pick and goes Sussex were in the Herts 22 and from one of these a penalty was awarded to Sussex for not rolling away. With their regular kicker off the field it was left to Marsh to step up and calmly put the ball through the two uprights capping an excellent performance by him 18-16. Sussex saw out the last 2 minutes and a well deserved victory had been achieved. The whole team played well especially the back row of Gillings Darcey and Shone all a constant thorn in Herts. side. The tackling was superb throughout with Gue Thompson and Wood to the fore.

Finally a mention for the coaches who in a short time had put together a good team who played for each other, and I am sure there is plenty more to come. With Hampshire who beat Surrey 32-25 next at Chichester RFC on 22nd January next up, come along and give the lads some support.

Team: Pellett Gue Goacher Cavozzi Peach Gillings(Capt) Darcey Shone Marshall Kirkpatrick Harte Thompson Wood Wilson Marsh rep: Hyde Dean Woodworth Uta Walker.J walker.E lasis. 

Sussex U20 Team to play Surrey
Jamie Burnham	Heath
Billy Filmer	Brighton
Tom Watkins	Heathfield
Lewis Gleave	East Grinstead
Dylan Eames	Heathfield
Aiden Mahoney	Hastings
Mike Uta	Burgess Hill
Rhys Gillings	Chichester
Andy Gray	Chichester
Ben Darcy	Esher
Nick Pass	Crowborough
Keiron Martin	Uckfield
Matt Walsh	Heath
Stuart Pearman - Capt	Worthing
Arun Thompson	Horsham
Jake Henry	Heath
Mark Grace	Chichester
Alex Marsh	Hove
Will Mitchell	Chichester
Declan French	Heath
Dave Barber	Worthing
Elliot Marshall	Esher

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Sussex U20  0  -  19  Essex U20