News Archive

Do you have a medical qualification, or know someone at your club who has?

NLD would like to offer medically trained professionals the opportunity to undergo their Immediate Care in Sport Level 2 qualification, fully funded.

Upon successful completion of the course NLD will expect a commitment from you to be available for employment on an ad-hoc, freelance basis to provide medical cover at some of our NLD representative matches, training or NLD festivals.

This is a great opportunity, not only from a professional development aspect, but also to get involved with the NLD representative squads and really support grass roots rugby.

For further information regarding this opportunity, please contact Katherine Wells at the NLD office at [email protected]

If you already have an ICIS Level 2 qualification, and would like to work with NLD, please also get in touch with Katherine at the above email address.

The 2019 NLD Game Development Conference will take place at Samworth Academy on Saturday 15th June.

Paul Westgate and Nikki O’Donnell are confirmed as deliverers, with other exciting names in the pipeline, and the day will include a CMOD in Understanding the Game.

Watch this space for more information soon!!

Squad to play Eastern Counties U17s on Sunday 24 March 2019

Having reduced the provisional U17s Squad to 43 players, a group of players has now been selected to play in the match versus Eastern Counties U17s at Newark RFC on Sunday 24 March 2019.

As was explained to players and parents at last night’s training session, we still have over 40 players, and it would not be productive to take all players forward for this initial game.

At this stage in the process, there will be players who may have already shown enough potential to be included within the final Squad. Similarly, there are other players who need the opportunity in a match situation to endorse their credentials and convince the Coaches that they merit a place going forward.

Player development and experience lies at the heart of NLD philosophy, and we try to provide the players with every opportunity to showcase their ability and demonstrate that they are capable of making the final Squad.

The following players have been selected for the Eastern Counties game:

Charlie BEECHAM

Tom BRIDDON

Isaac BURLEY

Noah CADBY

Oscar CLINK

Ben CROWE

Sam DAY

Jake DUNN

Taran ELMS

Reece FLOWERS-LANE

Liam GAVIN

Ollie GIBBONS

Sam HAWKINS

Luke HARRISON

Ben HART

Liam HIND

Finn HOPE

Jack HOUSTON

Aneirin LEWIS

Josh LIEPER

Max LOVERIDGE

Ben MANDERFIELD

Oli MASON

Joseph MOORE

Joel NAYLOR

William NORTON-LANE

Jack PATRICK

Eddie PIZZEY

Liam SHEERAN

Will SHENNAN

Harrison SHEPPARD

Callum TWEEDIE

James TWEEDIE

Ollie WELSH

Nathaniel WIGLEY

Ciaran WOLVERSON

Players are asked to be at Newark RFC by 13:00.

Kick-off will be at 14:30 and the format will probably be 3 x 25 minute games (tbc).

NLD kit will be provided but players are reminded to bring warm outer clothing and hydration for the periods when they are not involved in the match.

Food will be provided after the game for the players and can also be purchased by spectators/parents as there will be full bar and catering facilities open.

ANY PLAYER WHO IS NOT AVAILABLE OR WHO IS INJURED AND UNABLE TO PLAY SHOULD CONTACT THE SQUAD MANAGER (Lee Slack) AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Lee Slack

After a further session at Newark RFC last night, the NLD U17s provisional Squad has now been reviewed and the following players will be retained at this time:

Josh ALTON-SMITH

Max BAGGLEY

Charlie BEECHAM

Tom BRIDDON

Isaac BURLEY

Noah CADBY

Oscar CLINK

Harry CLOUGH

Ben CROWE

Sam DAY

Jake DUNN

Taran ELMS

Reece FLOWERS-LANE

Liam GAVIN

Ollie GIBBONS

Luke HARRISON

Ben HART

Sam HAWKINS

Chris HESLAM

Jack HINKS

Liam HIND

Finn HOPE

Jack HOUSTON

Josh LIEPER

Aneirin LEWIS

Ben MANDERFIELD

Max LOVERIDGE

Oli MASON

Joseph MOORE

Joel NAYLOR

William NORTON-LANE

Jack PATRICK

Eddie PIZZEY

Liam SHEERAN

Will SHENNAN

Harrison SHEPPARD

Dan STOKES

Caius TWEED

James TWEEDIE

Callum TWEEDIE

Ollie WELSH

Nathaniel WIGLEY

Ciaran WOLVERSON

Last night’s session demonstrated the high calibre of players throughout the three counties and, as always, it is disappointing for those players who did not make it through this time. The Coaches were all keen to express how impressed they were with the effort, enthusiasm and skill levels shown last night and encouraged everyone to use the experience to help them improve.

Further opportunities will arise in the future and the players were reminded that they should keep fit and work hard on the core skill elements of the game, as this can only improve their future chances and, more importantly, contribute to an enhanced enjoyment of the game.

A further posting on this web site will announce the Squad selected to play Eastern Counties U17s at Newark RFC on Sunday 24 March 2019.

Lee Slack

Entries for the 2019 NLD Sevens Festivals are now invited.   Please make sure you take the time to read the NLD Sevens rules carefully before submitting your application!

U15                 Sunday 28^th April                              Boston RFC
U16                 Sunday 5^th May                                 Southwell RFC

Please find the entry form here, which you will need to complete and send with a cheque for £35.00 (per team entered), made payable to NLD RFU Ltd and send to:

Katherine Wells
NLD RFU
Northgate Business Centre
38 Northgate
Newark
NG24 1EZ

The closing dates for entries is Monday 15^th April.

Please note that entries will not be accepted after these dates and in the case of withdrawals clubs will not be reimbursed if the closing date has passed.   If you are entering multiple teams then the second team will be placed on a waitlist until the closing date.  On this date we will then accept as many second team entries as possible on a first come first served basis.

We look forward to welcoming you on the day and if, in the meantime, we can be of any assistance please do not hesitate to contact the NLD Office on 01636 640800 or [email protected]

Following the inter-county games in three Super Sunday events, 5 NLD were players were selected to represent the Midlands Squad in the England Trials.

The players selected were:

James Brogden – Newark RFC

Elliott Caunt – Brooksby College/Nott’m Academy

Oliver Chessum – Kesteven RFC

Will Harding-Terry – NewarkRFC

Will Seage – Newark RFC

The Midlands, Captained by Will Harding-Terry, beat the South West in the first game and were narrowly beaten by London & the South East in the second match.

Following those games, the England U18 Squad to play Ireland in Dublin in April was announced and both Oliver Chessum and Will Harding-Terry were included in the selection.

Having worked through from the initial trials, these players represented NLD with distinction and their selection for the Midlands and England Squads demonstrates that they have been recognised as being amongst the very best representative players across the Midlands region, and in Oliver and Will’s case, across England.

Congratulations to all five players and also to their fellow NLD squad members who supported them through the Midlands campaign.

Once again, NLD is proud to have nurtured the players from CB level right through the ranks and on to Midlands and England recognition.

We wish Oliver and Will every success on the Ireland tour in the knowledge that they will enjoy every moment of their International experience.

Lee Slack

North Midlands U20s 25 – 48 NLD U20s

NLD took to the road for their second competitive game in what was expected to be a stern test against a well regarded North Midlands side.

The NLD coaches rotated the squad to ensure players were given the opportunity to represent the county and a chance to impress the onlooking midland selectors.

The squad comprised:

Taylor, William (Paviors RFC)

Tweedie, Finla  (Newark RFC)

Bloomfield, Josh (NTU)

Peachy, James   (NTU)

Aikman, Rob  (Notts Uni)

Barnes, Joe  (Worksop College)

Kellaway, Hugo (Notts Uni)

Spendlove, Will (Notts Uni)

Collingwood, Tommy (NTU)

Lamb, Dan (NTU)

Harris, George   (West Bridgford RFC)

Morley, Jonny  (Belper RFC)

Purcell, Xander (West Bridgford RFC)

Perkins, Olly  (Notts Uni)

Ellison, Will  (Newark RFC)

Butcher, Jordan (Spalding RFC)

Hicklin, Jake (West Bridgford RFC)

Pomfret, George (Lincoln RFC)

Watt, Logan  (Newark RFC)

Beech, Josh (Melbourne RFC)

Helliwell, Will (Melton Mowbray RFC)

Heale, James  (Sutton Bonnington Uni)

Dowdy, Tom (Lincoln RFC)

It was a strong start from NLD, as the visitors dominated the early exchanges interspersed with a couple of penalties for both sides that were duly converted for a score of 3 – 3.

The first try of the match was scored following excellent vision from stand-off Barnes who executed a cross field kick that was chased, caught and offloaded by Taylor to Aikman. From the restart NLD maintained possession and pressure, and it wasn’t long before a second try was scored as NLD moved the ball through several phases before sweeping it back across the the face of the pitch where the scoring roles were reversed – this time seeing Taylor finish the movement. 3 – 15 (converted by Kellaway).

As NLD began to grow in confidence so did their play. Xander Purcell was the next on the scoresheet as the lively backrow held his space wide and collected a miss pass to dot down in the corner.

10 minutes later is was Barnes who spotted space in behind the opposition line, a chip kick and collect saw him burst through the line for a fine individual effort, converted by Kellaway. 3 – 27

With the last play of the first half NLD again executed well as they kept up pressure in the North Midlands 22. This time it was the turn of the magnificent Bloomfield who collected a midfield pass and provided the spectators with a real treat as he showed the ball out wide before dummying back inside and under the posts.

Half Time: 3 – 34

NLD were expecting a backlash post half time, following a dominant display. Sure enough the second half belonged to North Midlands as they applied their own pressure and scored an early try taking the score to 10 – 34.

NLD utilised their bench and a response was soon observed as a Penalty Try was awarded following excellent work by the forwards. As opposed to kicking on NLD sat back and allowed the North Midland stock dominate the middle part of the second half and had no response to three quick tries scored through some powerful play and narrowing the scoreline to 25 – 41.

With the final ten minutes to play further changes were made and NLD upped the tempo of the game. This time the final score belonged to them as an excellent set piece saw the ball brought through a defensive gap for Barnes to cut back and score wide right – converting his own try and leaving the final score at 25 – 48.

This was a proud day for NLD. Having been promoted from Division B into the A league and facing renowned tough opponents, they played with real confidence and freedom and secured top spot in their group. They were true to themselves and their commitment, hunger and desire to do well was obvious for all to see.

Well done to all those involved.

Sunday 24^th Feb played at Leicester Forest RFC – Match report by Adrian Taylor

What a great day for our final match of the season, down the M1 in fog, which cleared to give clear blue skies.

Playing on Leicester Forest’s all-weather pitch, the two teams produced probably the match of the season. At no point in the game were they separated by more than one score, in a game that ebbed and flowed each way.

Leics scored first from a well taken line out 5m out driving over the line. 7-0

Ethan Heath-Drury soon equalised gathering a ball chipped through in attack. 7-7

A good line out platform again proved key for Leics who launched their backs from it, with their winger scoring in the corner. 12-7

NLD then broke in open play with backs and forwards combining to set up a ruck near the Leics try line and the NLD 9, Harry Clough sniped off the ruck to score 12-14

NLD were unlucky not score when the pack drove towards the Leics line and touch down but the Assistant referee spotted a forward pass in the build up.

Leics again used their line out to good effect and, peeling off the back of a well set up maul, they scored once more. 17-14

Just before half-time Leics gave away a penalty almost in front of their posts and Tom Wigglesworth dually slotted in over to equalise. 17-17 at the Half.

The second half saw the NLD pack begin to dominate in the scrum and the Leics 9 going backwards managed to dig the ball out to again launch their backs who scored 24-17

Finally NLD got their line out drive fully working and from a 5m lineout following a high tackle that saw Tom Davies halted just short of scoring himself, Liam Cooling peeled over to score 24-24

With less than 10 mins to go, Leics kicked ahead into space, but Jack Taylor at full-back ran round to gather the ball, rather than finding the safety of touch he set off beating the Leics winger, before grubber kicking ahead, Harry Clough just got a toe on the ball before Leics could gather it and with Jack tackled off the ball it was left to Tom Davies to score a well deserved try next to the posts. 24-31.

With the clock running down Leics attacked off another line out and tried to gruuber kick through the NLD back line, but the ball richocheted off an NLD leg and just as they thought another chase was on to score, the Ref blew for a knock on in midfield by NLD.

Leics kept up the pressure and from their first scrappy lineout of the game managed to scrabble the ball first up the blind side before going open, and an excellent pass out of back of a hand saw the Leics winger in space. With only one man to beat he scored under the posts and Leics converted the try 31-31.

Bringing a great season to a close we wish the players all the best in the future and thank you to the parents for getting them to training and matches.

The second trial/training evening for this year’s U16s & U17s took place last night at Newark and, following the session, the Coaching & Management Team met to discuss the first reduction in numbers prior to the next get together.

As Squad Manager Lee Slack explained to the players and parents present, the programme is designed to operate with a squad of around 35 players in order to ensure those players with the right potential are offered sufficient game time to achieve a grading in the Midlands games next season.

It is always an agonising discussion following these sessions, however, it is not possible to take everyone forward.

Everyone who has participated in the programme so far should feel rightly proud of their achievement.

The programme will now move ahead with a further two training/trials sessions together with two warm up games. The dates for these events will be:

Monday 18 March – Preparation training/trials session for Eastern Counties game

Venue: Newark RFC

Time: 18:00 registration for 18:30 start

Sunday 24 March – NLD U17s v Eastern Counties U17s

Venue: Newark RFC

Kick-off: 14:30

Monday 15 April – Preparation training/trials session for Leicestershire game

Venue: Newark RFC

Time: 18:00 registration for 18:30 start

Wednesday 24 April – NLD U17s v Leicestershire U17s

Venue: Newark RFC

Kick-off: 19:30

Following each session, there will be an announcement on this web site as the squad is further reduced towards the final number.

From this point, the programme intensifies and the competition within the squad is increased. Players will be expected to demonstrate enhanced levels of skills and decision making as the Coaches look to identify those players who will represent NLD in the Midlands campaign next season.

The following players are invited to the forthcoming session on Monday 18 March 2019:

JOSH ALTON-SMITH

MAX BAGGALEY

EUAN BAGSHAW

CHARLIE BEECHAM

TOM BRIDDON

ISAAC BURLEY

NOAH CADBY

CHRIS CHESLAM

OSCAR CLINK

HARRY CLOUGH

BEN CROWE

SAM DAY

TOM DUNCOMB

JAKE DUNN

TARAN ELMS

REECE FLOWERS-LANE

LIAM GAVIN

BEN HART

SAM HAWKINS

LIAM HIND

JACK HINKS

FINN HOPE

JACK HOUSTON

JOSH LIEPER

ANEIRIN LEWIS

OLIVER LOWE

MAX LOVERIDGE

BEN MANDERFIELD

JOSEPH MOORE

JOEL NAYLOR

WILLIAM  NORTON-LANE

JACK PATRICK

EDDIE PIZZEY

LIAM SHEERAN

WILL SHENNAN

HARRISON SHEPARD

WILL SPENCER

DANIEL STOKES

KAIE TURNER

CAIUS TWEED

JAMES TWEEDIE

CALLUM TWEEDIE

OLLIE WELSH

CIARAN WOLVERSON

BRAEDON YOUNGS

As usual, if any player is unable to make a session, please advise Lee Slack as soon as possible ([email protected])

Lee Slack

All Level 9 & Level 10 clubs are asked to read and action this letter from the Midlands Division Organising Committee.

Responses need to be emailed to [email protected] by 31st March 2019. Please copy in Dave Miller on [email protected] when responding.