HRUFC Under 16 News
Posted 18/04/07
Huddersfield RUFC U16’s v Cleckheaton RUFC U16’s
Both sides had limited numbers due to holiday commitments and so it was agreed to play 13 a side. It was the home team who benefited from the extra space and so it showed as their pace was too much for Cleckheaton.
Huddersfield scored a total of 10 tries with a mixture of individual skills and team efforts. The pick of the bunch however started in their own 22, where they broke out of defence and started a series of passes which must have included every player in the team before eventually it fell to back row Billy Dempsey to finish off the move.
There were hat tricks for winger Rob Heywood and centre Tom van Rooyen, with the other scorers being scrum half Tom Mason, centre Matt Dickinson, and hooker John Birkett. Fly half Chris Brook kicked 5 conversions.
Cleckheaton to their credit never let their heads drop and were rewarded half way through the second half with a consolation try, the conversion attempt unfortunately hitting the upright.
Final Score: Huddersfield 60, Cleckheaton 5
There were fine performances by all the players with the men of the match awards going to Jack Brannan (forwards) and Tom van Rooyen (backs).
Posted 05/04/07
Oldham RUFC U16’s v Huddersfield RUFC U16’s
Huddersfield travelled ‘over the border’ and came away victorious in a terse game where neither side gave any quarter.
Although Huddersfield were notably physically smaller, it was they who showed that technique will overcome size.
The match started well for the home team though and they had the majority of the early skirmishes, however Huddersfield’s defence held firm and following a period where they attacked, Oldham gave away a penalty, suitably dispatched by fly half Chris Brook. Oldham hit back quickly though and following a scrum 5metres out, the ball was fed to their wing who scored an unconverted try.
The remainder of the half belonged to the away side as they pressed forward, and it was following a scrum 10 metres out that the ball was passed to Brook who jinked through the defence to score. He then converted the score as well.
Half time score: Oldham 5 Huddersfield 10
The second half was very evenly contested with neither team penetrating the others’ 22. Huddersfield did vary their tactics and using the wind and low sun, they kicked a lot of high ball onto the Oldham full back. Unfortunately on a number of occasions the home defence managed to touch the ball down before the attacking players made contact.
Full time score: Oldham 5 Huddersfield 10
Huddersfield pack deserve praise for keeping their shape against a much larger pack and special praise to front rowers – hooker John Birkett and props Joe Cheffins and Josh Crosbie. Also flanker James Schofield who stole a number of Oldham line outs. In the backs their were exceptionally good performances by winger Harry Rosser and full back Ross Carey.
However the men of the match awards went to No8 Tom Fleming and fly half Chris Brook.
Posted 28/11/06
Sandal Under 16’s v HRUFC Under 16’s
Huddersfield travelled to Sandal for a match that looked like being a fiercely fought contest as both sides had a lot to prove after being knocked out of the Yorkshire Cup the week before.
Following a period of stalemate with first one side and then the other having possession without scoring, it was Huddersfield who broke the deadlock with a fine break by centre Matt Dickinson who after drawing the defence slipped the ball back inside for winger Arthur O’Toole to score his first try for the club. Chris Brook added the extras. This spurred the home side on and following a line out 5 metres out the ball was collected and driven through the centre of the line to score an unconverted try. In fact defending the line out seemed to be a problem for Huddersfield in the first half as 10 minutes later faced with another 5metre Sandal lineout, the ball was thrown long for their flanker to score unchallenged. This time it was converted. Huddersfield though came straight back at the home team and after pressurising the scrum , causing thir scrum half to throw out a looses pass, flanker James Schofield chased down the fly half and touched the ball down at the base of the posts. Again Brook kicked the conversion.
Half Time Sandal 12 Huddersfield 14
The second half saw Huddersfield take control of the game with first their line-out proving to be stronger than the opposition, it was from a line-out that they scored their next score. The ball was collected and driven from 10 metres out before No 8 Tom Fleming peeled off the score in the corner. Then after Sandal had managed to make inroads into the Huddersfield 22, the ball was turned over and a fast break by first flanker Andrew Schofield passing to Tom van Rooyen before setting up a ruck. Scrum half Tom Mason then dummied the defence to score with Brook again adding the extra points.
This affectively closed the game down and apart from a brief skirmish; the last 10 minutes saw a fairly uneventful end to the game.
Full Time Sandal 12 Huddersfield 26
This was a much better performance than the week before by all of the team and special mention should be made of forwards John Birkett, Joe Cheffins and Josh Crosby for bossing the scrums and Jack Brannan and Elliot Moores for their tireless work in the loose. All of the backs had a good game with apart from those involved above saw full back Ross Carey have a very steady game while winger Harry Rosser made a superb try saving tackle.
Man of the match awards went to James Schofield (forwards) and Tom van Rooyen (backs)
Posted 22/11/06
HULL IONIANS U16’S v HUDDERSFIELD U16’S
YORKSHIRE CUP 2nd ROUND
SUNDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2006
Huddersfield faced a stiff test in the 2nd round of the Yorkshire Cup when they were drawn away at Hull Ionians as they are one of the strongest teams in the county. The prospect wasn’t helped by Huddersfield only having 15 fit players through a mixture of absences and injuries.
However, Huddersfield downfall came about through a series of individual mistakes when in the first half a number of missed tackles and a charged down clearance saw the home side run in 5 tries , with 2 of them being converted.
Half Time Hull – 29 Huddersfield -0
Even though it was an uphill task, credit must be given to the away side who never let their heads drop; Even after again the home side ran in 3 more tries (2 of them converted), the final moments of the match went to Huddersfield when following a series of phases, the ball was spun out to the backs and outside centre Matt Dickinson drew the defence and raced through a gap to score. Chris Brook added the conversion.
Final Score Hull – 46 Huddersfield -7
The scoreline flattered the victors as in truth the game was much more evenly matched and there were many fine performers, with Josh Crosby, John Birkett and Tom Fleming shining for the forwards and Tom Mason, and Ross Carey for the backs. The men of the match trophies went to Joe Cheffins for the forwards and Matt Dickinson for the backs.
Posted 14/11/06
Baildon U16’s v Huddersfield U16’s
Huddersfield travelled to a very windswept Baildon, where despite the poor conditions they came away with a well deserved victory.
However, it was the home side that opened the scoring, when following a line out 5 metres out the ball was thrown to the back of the line, where it was collected to score an unconverted try.
Huddersfield hit back fairly quickly with scrum half Tom Mason collecting the ball from the back of a scrum and breaking through the defence to score, with fly half Chris Brook adding the extra points. Then followed one of the tries of the match, as Huddersfield piled on the pressure and after slowing the play up on a number of phases the backs switched quickly and with the ball passing through every pair of hands before reaching winger Rob Heywood who eluded the tacklers to score. Unfortunately here the wind played a part and Brook’s conversion attempt hit an upright. Huddersfield did not let up with the pressure and once again just before half time, the ball was quickly moved from one side of the field to the other where this time winger Harry Rosser battled over the try line, once again Brook hit the upright with his conversion attempt.
Half time score Baildon 5, Huddersfield 17
The second half continued in the same vane as the first with a number of Huddersfield attacks just falling short or being stopped with foul play. Eventually however, following the award of another penalty 5 metres out a quick tap from Mason allowed 2nd row Elliott Moores to power over the try line in the corner. This was closely followed by a piece of individual magic by Mason, as making a break and then kicking on, he collected the ball to score, with once again Brook adding the extra points. Then 5 minutes from the end of the match, Huddersfield scored a copy book try from the first half, with the backs using quick hands to release Heywood again, who taking on the defence ran outside them to score, Brook adding the extras again.
Final score Baildon 5 Huddersfield 36
There were many fine performances with props Josh Crosbie and Joe Cheffins along with James schofield showing good handling in the line outs. In the backs centre Matt Dickinson’s handling was faultless. However the man of the match awards went to hooker John Birkett for the forwards for his good all round display as well as his controlled line out throwing in difficult conditions. For the backs the award went to Rob Heywood.
Posted 09/11/06
Keighley U16’s v Huddersfield U16’s
Huddersfield and their hosts combined to provide a thrilling and exciting game for the neutrals (but a nightmare for the coaches) as they fought out a 61 point game.
The initial score came from the visitors side as they progressed a rolling maul, 5 metres out to with 2nd Row Elliott Moores breaking off to score an unconverted try. The visitors soon hit lack however and a lack of concentration at a Keighley penalty saw them score unopposed in the corner.
However Huddersfield then hit back and following a scrum 15 metres out, scrum half Tom Mason broke off to score with Chris Brook converting from out wide. Then Huddersfield scored probably the try of the match with the ball moving from one side of the field to the other and most if not all players being involved before winger Rob Heywood scored in the corner. The next try again came from Huddersfield as firstly Tom Mason made a break before releasing Chris Brook who in turn passed to flanker Billy Dempsey to score. Huddersfield appeared to have the game in the bag at this stage and that may have contributed to another lapse in concentration that let the home side once again score almost unopposed for a converted try.
This did spark Huddersfield back into the game and straight from the restart the ball was collected by flanker James Schofield who raced down the wing to score.
Half Time Score: Keighley 17 Huddersfield 27
The second half started but unfortunately Huddersfield didn’t and for a 25 minute period that saw, not only the home team score 2 tries (I converted) to take the lead, but also 2 injuries to Huddersfield players with Prop Josh Crosbie (split ear) and winger Lewis Wroe (facial injury). This had the effect of disrupting Huddersfield’s flow, but to their credit they regrouped and stuck to their task. This resulted in a period of intense pressure that eventually paid off when following a penalty (scrum), Tom Mason dummied his way into the corner to score the winning try.
Final Score: Keighley 29 Huddersfield 32
There were a few strong contenders for the man of the match awards, but the winners for flanker Billy Dempsey (forwards) and Fly Half Chris Brook (backs).
Posted 06/11/06
Ilkley U16’s v Huddersfield U16’s
Sunday 29 October 2006
Huddersfield were looking forward to this game as they had knocked their hosts out of the Yorkshire Cup 3 weeks before. However they were not taking their hosts lightly and this proved to be the case.
In a match where Huddersfield were lacking and their Ilkley were fired up, there was only going to be one winner.
The match started fairly evenly until a handling error by the Huddersfield backs saw an interception for a converted try; this was closely followed by Ilkley pushing forward a rolling maul before peeling off the score another converted try.
In essence Huddersfield did little to show they wanted the game although to be fair, Huddersfield pack were working hard and in the main were matching their opposition. In fact Huddersfield won the majority of line-out ball. It was the backs department that were not firing on all cylinders and it wasn’t until the dying minutes of the match that Huddersfield scored. It did prove to be good try however, with the move starting with a backs break out of their half, then followed a series of phases before the ball came out to flanker Billy Dempsey to evade the defenders and wriggle his way over the line.
Rob Heywood kicked the conversion
Final Score – Ilkley 26, Huddersfield 7
Huddersfield Under 16’s show strong representation in District Match.
Last night saw the inter district match between West Yorkshire and Central Yorkshire (played at Halifax RUFC).
The game was a very even affair although the final score line flattered Central. The final result was West Yorkshire 15, Central Yorkshire 25.
Huddersfield Under 16’s had a strong representation in the match with no less than 7 players being selected to play. They were as follows-
Elliott Moores (Prop)
Jack Brannan (2nd Row)
Billy Dempsey (Flanker)
Tom Mason (Scrum Half)
Chris Brook (Fly Half)
Matt Dickinson (Centre)
Rob Heywood (Wing)
All players played a huge part in a very entertaining match with the skill levels on show being to a very high standard.
Posted 18/10/06
HUDDERSFIELD RUFC UNDER 16’S V OLD BRODLEIANS UNDER 16’S (AWAY)
Josh Crosby receiving the ball in the line out
Sunday saw the first match of the season between these two rival local teams. As always the match proved to be a spectacle to watch.
The home team started the brighter and in fact went ahead with a well worked try 10 minutes into the contest. They then went further ahead 5 minutes later when returning a Huddersfield drop out the winger evaded a number of players to score under the posts for a converted try.
However this only served to kick start Huddersfield, who decided the best way forward was to play ’keep ball’. This resulted in a rolling maul that started 30 metres out before Flanker Tom Fleming peeled off on the blind side to score in the corner.
Then just a few minutes before half time, following a quick tap penalty, the ball was fed down the line to the wing where Harry Rosser scored for his third try in two games.
Half Time score: Old Brodleians 12, Huddersfield 10
Harry Rosser scoring his third try in 2 games.
The second half was a strongly contested one with a number of penalty’s being awarded for misconduct by both sides. However, Huddersfield managed to be the better disciplined and this proved crucial.
Again following a rolling maul, Scrum Half Tom Mason peeled off the back and after dummying a defender went over the try line. Chris Brook kicked the conversion.Then followed a number of chances at both ends before Old Brodleians once again took the lead when the right winger went unchecked to score under the posts for a converted try. Then Huddersfield once again struck back with a well worked backs move from a scrum saw the ball fed to winger Lewis Wroe who scored in the corner.
The game became even more fiercely contested and during a period of sustained pressure from the home side, Tom Mason intercepted a pass to 60 yards for his second try of the game.
Final Score: Old Brodleians 19, Huddersfield 27
There were good performances throughout with one of the main differences being the Huddersfield line-outs. Forwards Josh Crosby, Jack Brannan and Josh Morris had outstanding games with centres Matt Dickinson and Tom van Rooyen along with Mason being the pick of the backs.
Posted 10/10/06
Ilkley U16’s v Huddersfield U16’s
Yorkshire Cup 1st Round – Sunday 8 October 2006
This match presented a huge challenge for Huddersfield as not only were they playing away against a fancied Ilkley side, but to make matters worst it was the team’s first full match of the season.
The game opened with the home side having the majority of the possession and Huddersfield were left chasing the game. In fact the opening 10 minutes showed that the away side were ‘rusty’, this was proved a quarter of an hour into the game, when following a well worked backs move, Ilkley cut through the defence to score a converted try under the posts.
This only proved to spur Huddersfield on and the rest of the half saw the away side with the majority of possession and the home side defending valiantly. The score was helped in the home sides favour with a number of handling errors from the Huddersfield players when in scoring positions. In fact, just before the break, following a forced infringement by the Ilkley defence, Chris Brook took the option of the kick at goal to ensure that all the pressure was at least rewarded with some points on the board.
Half time – Ilkley- 7 Huddersfield- 3
The second half started as the first half had ended with Huddersfield having the majority of the ball and once again it appeared that they did not want to score as once again the final pass was put to ground with the try line begging. However this was soon to be amended as following a quick tap penalty 20 metres out the ball was fed through the line to winger Harry Rosser who darted over the line and managed to ground the ball while the defence attempted to hold him up. The conversion attempt was missed. This was now to become the pattern of the game and Huddersfield really took the game to the home side and were once again rewarded 10 minutes later when following a strong run by Joe Quinn a ruck was formed and the ball was once again fed straight to the wing for Rosser to score in the corner again for another unconverted try.
The last 10 minutes was more of an even competition with Ilkley throwing everything at the Huddersfield defence, fortunately with no avail.
Full time – Ilkley – 7 Huddersfield- 13
This was a very good team performance, especially in light of the match being the first of the season, but players who especially caught the eye were flankers Billy Dempsey and James Schofield for the forwards with scrum half Tom Mason bossing the game for the backs.
Posted 03/03/06
West Yorkshire Under 15s v Durham Under 15’s
Huddersfield quartet of Joe Quinn, Jack Brannan, Tom Mason & Chris Brook all featured strongly when West Yorkshire played an inter county festival v Durham.
In the first match, West Yorkshire beat Durham ‘B’ side 22:0 with both Quinn (captain) and Brannan featuring for the forwards and Mason and Brook for the backs. Brook scoring a try and kicking a conversion.
In the second match, West Yorkshire beat Durham’A’ side 10:7 in a much closer affair. This proved to be more of a forwards encounter and with Brannan and Quinn in the line out, Yorkshire secured most of their line out ball. Mason and Brook came on in the second half to also bolster the backs and ensure the ‘county double’ was achieved.
