News Archive

NLD have 8 players in the full Midlands squad of 30 to play Nottingham Academy in a trial match at Long Eaton RFC on Sunday 29th April. All are welcome to come and watch.

This follows on from NLD’s under 20 last gasp victory against Devon to reach the final of the county championship. This is to be played at Moseley RFC on Sunday 6th May – kick off at 2.00pm. Put that date in your diary and come and support your CB’s up and coming young stars on their quest to win the county championship final!

Dan Glasse – Academy
Henry Trimmer – NTU
Jack Weedon – Long Eaton
Kane Linklater – Scunthorpe
Dec Neary – Long Eaton
Toby Hutchinson – Academy
Tom Tucker – Long Eaton
Jacob Wright (reserve) – Long Eaton

With a busy Spring well underway and a number of events that have been moved due to the weather please see below an update of the forthcoming NLD events and representative games.

Support for all of the events, in particular the Representative Squads, are very much appreciated!

It is with great sadness that we hear that Martin Wynne-Jones has passed away following a heart attack early last week.

He would have been on course to play in his 40th consecutive year for Nottinghamians RFC. He was a true club man and an absolute gent.

He has left a huge gap for the club that cannot be filled and will be missed by many in the rugby community.

Martin’s funeral will be held on Thursday 10th May 2018 at 11.30am at St Jude’s Church, Mapperley, Nottingham NG3 5HE.

Followed by a short service at the Crematorium on Cat Foot Lane, Gedling, NG4 4QH at 12.30pm.  Refreshments after will be in the Church Hall at St Jude’s

We would respectfully ask that only a representation from groups go to the Crematorium due to logistics and capacity

NO BLACK TIES PLEASE AT MARTIN’S REQUEST

Family flowers only but donations for Project Luangwa (a South African Children’s Charity) supported by Martin and Jane and also to The British Heart Foundation.

Donations gratefully received by collection at the church, Direct to A W Lymn, Funeral Services, St Albans House, 32 High Street, Arnold Nottingham NG5 7DZ

or via this link where messages can also be left.

https://www.funeralzone.co.uk/obituaries/45686

Do you coach a side playing Junior / Colts 15 a side rugby in NLD?

Would they be interested in developing their skills by being coached by one of the Country’s best young coaches?

Russel Earnshaw, coach of England elite U18 side is demonstrating a Coaching session at the NLD Game Development Conference at Samworth Academy on Saturday June 2nd 2018, and we are looking for a group of young players to use during the Coaching session. Russell will adapt his delivery to suit any age range from U14 to u19 although all players must be within the same age group i.e. all U14 or all U17 etc.

It will be a non contact session and players will be required from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

If you think the side you coach could benefit from this session and you will be able to provide at least 14 players then please contact Nicole Brown – [email protected].

The NLD U20 Squad made the long trip to Devon on Sunday (15th April) worthwhile as they secured a dramatic, last moment win in the Semi Final of the Jason Leonard RFU U20 Division 2 County Championship.

After a three tough matches in The Jason Leonard under 20 county championship, the NLD squad headed all the way down to Ivybridge RFC. This was always going to be a tough ask for the NLD squad (mainly players who are playing level 7 and below) against Devon (whose squad featured no less than 9 players who currently play level 5 rugby).

The pitch had been suitably softened up by the amazing wet Devon weather so a free flowing game it wasn’t.

Early tries from both sides in the first half left the half time score 14-12 to NLD who succeeded with both conversions. The NLD back row of Brisco and Brown were dominant and it was Brown and Tucker who scored both tries first half.

Both sides had to work hard on defence and NLD saved the use of our subs by keeping some back for a final flurry which worked. The half time team talk was led by Trimmer who rallied his team and the squad responded, coming out after the break hard and fast although Devon did likewise. 19-19 with 45 minutes gone.

At 49 minutes NLD took the lead with Kane Linklater of Scunthorpe crashing over in the corner. This was closely followed by a try from the Devon 12 – who had been hard to stop all game (26-24 Devon). Aaron Walker of NLD then scampered in for a try on the 69th minute to make it 29-26 NLD. Then – on the 79th minutes the NLD hearts sunk when Devon went over for a converted try (33-29 to Devon.

Was that the game over?  Not for the NLD Squad. They managed to win the ball from the restart and after last play was called at 80 minutes and two penalties awarded to NLD from which they opted for scrums, in the 83rd minute NLD’s skipper Henry Trimmer crashed over for the winning try under the posts, converted by Harrison Wells.

In a pulsating fixture that really did go down to the wire huge credit to the entire squad who were a credit to themselves, their clubs and NLD with their demeanor on and off the pitch.

The squad now face Lancashire RFU in the final on Sunday 6th May at Moseley RFC, kick off 2pm.

The squad:

Henry Trimmer Nottingham Trent Uni
Jack Weedon Long Eaton/Notts Academy
Kane Linklater Scunthorpe
Jacob Wright Long Eaton
Joe Mcmenamin Long Eaton
Natty Brisco West Bridgford
Luke Brown West Bridgford
Tom Tucker Long Eaton
Jamie Murray Nottingham Uni
Harrison Wells Nottingham Trent University
Josh Arimoro Nottingham Uni
Josh Bloomfield Nottingham Trent University
James Peachey Nottingham Trent University
Jake Keeton Lincoln RFC
Aaron Walker Long Eaton
Ben Jesson Nottingham University
Chris Rudkin Melbourne RFC
Dec Neary Long Eaton
Tommie Collingwood Nottingham Trent University
Jonnie Doyle Derby RFC
Will Harding-Terry Newark RFC
Alex Harrison Newark RFC

Score 36-33

Tries scored by Luke Brown, Tom Tucker, Henry Trimmer (2), Kane Linklater, Aaron Walker
Conversions – 3 by Harrison Wells

Enjoy the winning moment by clicking here!

Please see below details of the provisional schedule for the NLD U15/16 Finals at Derby RFC on Sunday 29^th April.

As you can see there are a couple of Semi Finals to be played this weekend so we will have the full line up for you on Monday.

U15 Cup                                  11.30am KO (AGP)
Derby v Paviors

U15 Shield                               11am KO (Grass)
Melbourne v Sleaford

U16 Cup                                  1.30pm (AGP)
Mansfield / Kesteven v Nottingham Corsairs / Derby

U16 Shield                               1pm (Grass)
Ashbourne v Scunthorpe

Both of the Cup Finals are taking place on the brand new AGP at the club.  Please note the below guidelines on footwear and pass this on throughout your team.

Astro trainers, flat-soled trainers and blades are not permitted.  Boots should have screw-in metal / moulded studs suitable for the appropriate sport.  All footwear should be clean.

Match Cards:

Please complete and return your match cards to Carol by Monday 23^rd April 2018.  Note that you can still make minor adjustments to your squad up until the morning of the final but these changes may not be reflected in the match day programme.

Photography:

If you do not have permission for any of your players to have their photograph taken then this should be confirmed in writing to me by Monday 23^rd April 2018 so that we are able to make the necessary arrangements on the day.

Gate:

As usual there will be a £3 entry fee per adult, to include a programme, on the day.  please make sure that everyone travelling with your team is aware of this and that absolutely no abuse of officials will be tolerated.

Coaches:

If you plan to travel by coach then please confirm this as soon as possible, along with an ETA, and by next Wednesday 25^th April so that we are able to ensure appropriate room is left.

Sunday 15th April saw the inaugural running of the NLD Colts Cluster Festival which was supported by the School of Architecture, Design & the Built Environment at Nottingham Trent University.

Clubs from throughout Nottinghamshire & Lincolnshire took to Mellish RFC for a day full of exceptional rugby that really showcased the RFU’s Core Values of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline & Sportsmanship.

Teams worked together throughout the day to ensure full 15 a side matches could be played and every team that attended really bought into the spirit of the event.

NLD President Chris Johnson who refereed on the day said; ‘What a fantastic day to see over 150 Colts players really enjoying the game.  It was also great to see a number of the NLD Young Match Officials stepping up and refereeing on the day, the whole event was a brilliant advert for rugby.  Our thanks to the School of Architecture, Design & the Built Environment at Nottingham Trent University for their support of the day’.

The NLD U14 Finals take place this Sunday 22nd April at Chesterfield RFC.  A full copy of the schedule is available below and the changing room allocation can be viewed here.

Pitch 1

11.30am
U14 Plate Playoff Final
Ashbourne v Nottingham Corsairs

1pm
U14 Bowl Final
Glossop v Sleaford

2.30pm
U14 Cup Final
Keyworth v Newark

Pitch 2

11am
U14 Cup Playoff Final
Derby v West Bridgford

12.30pm
U14 Shield Final
Kesteven v Market Rasen

2pm
U14 Plate Final
Mansfield v Melbourne

As usual there will be a £3 per adult entry charge for all adults to the Finals Day, please make sure you circulate this information throughout anyone who may travel, abuse of officials on the day will absolutely not be tolerated.  This goes towards the running of the Junior Competitions within NLD.

The 2018 Wellington Festival has drawn to close after a day of action-packed rugby involving English rugby’s 14 regional academies.

The week-long programme, held annually at Wellington College, Berkshire, aims to develop both academy players and coaches on and off the field in a variety of areas and featured a number of NLD U16 & Leicester Tigers Academy players.

On the field, the academy teams trained and played against each other in a number of matches, challenged with law variations which encourage ball in play, skilful rugby. Off the field, players were also given education and guidance in nutrition, anti-doping and professional sports pressures.

Wellington Festival is the largest academy festival in English rugby and is seen as a key experience in a players’ development and transitional experience.

Leicester Tigers Junior Academy Manager Jamie Taylor commented; ‘The Wellington festival is the culmination of the U16 regional player pathway and to be selected as part of a thirty player group at this level is a tremendous achievement. The players here have all entered the pathway at different stages via schools and clubs across NLD and have represented them with the highest standards.’

As well as game days on Tuesday and Saturday, players had the opportunity to meet head of England Sevens Simon Amor, as well as watch a sevens exhibition match. Referee Wayne Barnes also gave the players a presentation on officiating on Monday, while Thursday was National Coaching Day.

Players were immersed in skill zones and masterclasses throughout the week. Central to this was CARDS (creativity, awareness, resilience, decision making and self-organisation) – the pathway priority skills for helping develop the next generation of England Rugby players both on and off the pitch.

14 Premiership Rugby Academies: Bath Rugby, Bristol Rugby, Exeter Chiefs, Gloucester Rugby, Harlequins, Leicester Tigers, London Irish, Newcastle Falcons, Northampton Saints, Sale Sharks, Saracens, Wasps, Worcester Warriors, Yorkshire Carnegie.

Back Row Left to right:

Josh Lugsden (Scunthorpe), Jack Wright (Boston GS & Spalding), Emeka Illione (Nottingham Corsairs, Nottingham HS), Bobby Singer (Carres GS & Kesteven), Will Bailey (Nottingham Corsairs), Harry Edmunds

Front row

Ollie Smith (Mansfield), Sam Edwards (Ashbourne), Joey Evison (Stamford School)

Two NLD clubs were in action in the National Semi Final matches at the weekend.

After winning the Area 4 Midlands title a couple of weeks ago, Newark U18 Girls were through to the National Semi Final (North) which was  against Castleford and Worcester.

The girls faced a 3 way game and Newark drew the first and third game, which was an advantage.

First game was v Castlesford. A highly contested first 5 minutes saw Castleford break out of defence to score. Determined to fight back, Newark girls scored twice shortly after. Second half was tense as both teams worked overtime to stop any attack. Eventually Newark scored again. 19-5 to Newark.

After a short break, the girls faced Worcester in a “winner takes all” game.

Newark girls, scored and converted twice in the first half. Worcester sustaining strong attack and defence came back to score twice in the second half but missing the second conversion. The final ten minutes were very tense with sustained Worcester pressure but the Newark girls held out and won 14-12.

A huge achievement for Newark u18s  to go through to the National Final, in only the second season of fielding an u18s team.

The girls now face Pulborough on 29th April, 12:45 ko at Ealing in the National Final as a curtain raiser to the Women’s Tyrell’s 15s Final – Saracens v Harlequins.

Mansfield U15’s played 2 keenly contested games against Old Crossleyans & Leek, whilst they weren’t successful in progressing into the final they take away the experience of playing in these games which will stand them in good stead in the coming seasons. Well done to all of the players, coaches & club.

Top: Newark U18 Girls Below: Mansfield U15 Girls