NLD U17

The final match of the NLD U17s 2024 season took place as we travelled to Burton RFC to face Staffordshire U17s. The squad was selected as a matchday 22, playing a 70-minute match.

NLD kicked off on a warm evening, with perfect conditions for rugby and a good-sized crowd. The teams appeared evenly matched, setting the stage for a great game of rugby.

Both sides started strong, trying to assert dominance in the opening minutes. However, it was NLD who had the better play in the first 15 minutes, showcasing excellent free-flowing rugby and well-executed lineouts. Despite pinning Staffordshire in their own half, the final phase denied them the opening points until a lineout on the home 5m led to an infringement. A quickly taken penalty and offload found Len Arlando, who powered over for the try, converted by Wilf Chenery, to give NLD the lead. 0 – 7.

Staffordshire, though stunned by the early pressure, quickly responded. A penalty on the NLD 10m mark followed by five phases saw Staffordshire breach the NLD line for a try and conversion, levelling the score at 7 – 7.

The remainder of the half saw some fantastic play from both sides, with each defending competently, resulting in a 7 – 7 scoreline at halftime.

The second half began at a frenetic pace. The breakthrough came from a well-anticipated turnover by the NLD forwards during a Staffordshire lineout on halfway. This was quickly spread to Coel Gosling, who advanced with pace. A kick over the backline was well-placed, but a favourable bounce allowed Staffordshire to clear. However, Wilf Chenery caught the clearance and sent it back, with NLD in hot pursuit. Spencer Syme-Nicholson arrived early and stripped the Staffordshire fullback, with the loose ball quickly moved forward for a try under the posts, converted by Wilf Chenery, putting NLD back in the lead at 7 – 14.

Staffordshire responded determinedly, piling pressure on the NLD line and diving through the side of a ruck on the try line to score. 12 – 14.

NLD scored next with a well-executed move straight from the training field. A lineout on the 10m mark was quickly spread, finding Coel Gosling, who drew a tackle and offloaded to No. 13 [name], running a great line to score under the posts. Wilf Chenery converted, extending the lead to 12 – 21 as the match entered the final 20 minutes.

Staffordshire was not done and, five minutes later, pressed the NLD line again, scoring a try and conversion to bring the game to 19 – 21 with 10 minutes remaining.

In the final minutes, NLD pinned the home side in their half as they pushed hard to secure the game and came close with two tries held up by the resilient Staffordshire defence. Nevertheless, NLD emerged deserved winners in an entertaining match, thanks to a dominant performance. Kudos to Staffordshire for their spirited competition, making it a fitting finale to the U17s season.

Many thanks to our generous hosts, Burton RFC.

NLD enjoyed their first ‘home’ game of the season, playing at Nottingham Corsairs on a sunny day with a breeze that made kicking challenging. The match format was 3 x 30-minute halves, providing ample game time for the entire squad.

Leicestershire won the toss and elected to kick into the swirling wind at Lady Bay. Both sides appeared evenly matched in the opening minutes, each probing for weaknesses. The first set play fell to NLD with a lineout on the Leicestershire 15m mark. It was well executed, forming a maul. As the maul slowed, the ball was spread wide, finding debutant Henry Allen on the wing for the try, followed by a successful conversion, making it 7-0.

Leicestershire showed determination to get back on terms and surged forward. A quickly taken penalty on the NLD 15m caught NLD off guard, finding space on the wing for a response. 7-5.

NLD were next to score from a well-taken lineout on the halfway line. The backs’ surging runs brought the ball close to the try line, with a final push securing the try, extending the lead to 12-5. Leicestershire tried hard to respond but were losing the battle of the forwards. A lineout on the NLD 10m line was overthrown and fortuitously fell to Leicestershire, who managed to evade soft tackles on the blindside for their second try, bringing the score to 12-10. Another quick penalty caught NLD napping, allowing a run from deep by the Leicestershire centre, who ploughed through the disorganised defence for a deserved try, making it 12-15.

Leicestershire’s confidence was high, and some great play through their backs on halfway found a gap in the doglegged NLD defence, resulting in another try and conversion to end the half at 12-22.

The second quarter started with two new teams on the field, both vying for dominance. The NLD forwards proved themselves more dominant in scrums and lineouts, but it was Leicestershire that found the opening from a defensive lineout on their 5m line. A storming run towards halfway, followed by an offload to the wing, resulted in the first points of the half as he slipped through some soft tackles, making it 0-5.

NLD’s first try of the half began from a scrum against the head, which Leicestershire scrambled to defend, resulting in a penalty. A poor clearance allowed the NLD backs to storm back, with the forwards in hot pursuit to support. The game was now being played in Leicestershire’s half, with NLD squandering four clear chances. The breakthrough came from a powerful run by Harry Turnbull off the back of a 5m ruck, powering through two tackles for the try and conversion, making it 7-5, and despite the continuous press by NLD the score remained.

The final quarter saw fresh legs as the NLD teams blended to form the final team. Both teams continued to vie for honours, and Leicestershire were again first on the sheet after an error in the NLD defence left gaps in the centres, allowing a run-through and eventual try through four missed tackles, making it 0 – 5.

NLD stormed back, and from a quick penalty on the Leicestershire 5m line, the hooker ??? forced his way through for the try, with the conversion denied by the posts, levelling the score to 5-5.

NLD dominated the next period, trying to pull ahead. The breakthrough came as the Sean Roberts picked and went from the back of the ruck to run through under the posts, and a successful conversion made it 12-5. Leicestershire again came back, exploiting a gap in the centres’ doglegged defence and missed tackles to get close, 12-10.

As NLD pressed, a slack pass allowed Leicestershire to clear their lines. What looked like a certain try was prevented by the determination of the NLD defence, who chased and brought the player down short. A well-executed scrum secured the ball, allowing NLD to clear their lines. However, the drama continued with a miskick sending the ball skywards. Leicestershire were quick to react and finished for the try, with the posts preventing the conversion once more in the final play of the match, making it 12-15.

Overall, it was a good performance from the NLD squad, in a game they had every opportunity to win. However, final 22m finishing and defensive errors proved very costly, despite some excellent tries and a dominating forward pack.

The NLD U17s squad travelled to Wellingborough RFC for their second match of the year, facing a formidable and well-prepared East Midlands U17s squad. With East Midlands fielding four teams and NLD fielding two, the match was set against a challenging backdrop. The game was structured into two 35-minute halves, followed by two 20-minute halves, ensuring all players had the opportunity to contribute through extensive squad rotations.

The match began with NLD winning the toss and kicking off under scorching hot conditions. They showed promise early on with some solid phases of play, but it was East Midlands who struck first. A sharp interception, quickly spread to the wings to exploit a four-man overlap, resulted in the opening try, which was successfully converted.

Despite NLD’s efforts to respond, they struggled to penetrate the East Midlands defensive line. East Midlands doubled their lead following an incident in which an unseen foul disrupted NLD’s scrum half as he lifted the ball from the scrum. Reacting quickly, East Midlands spread the ball wide once again, capitalizing on the overlap for another try and conversion.

NLD found themselves on the back foot as the first half neared its end. East Midlands scored their third try when NLD’s defensive positioning faltered during an intense phase of play. Exploiting space on the wing, East Midlands added another try and conversion, closing a tough first half for NLD with the scoreline reading three unanswered tries and conversions.

The second half started with a flourish from East Midlands. A clearance kick was skilfully caught at halfway and returned down the opposite wing for an impressive try, followed by a conversion. East Midlands extended their dominance with a try stemming from a lapse in NLD’s defence. A lineout maul set up the play, and the ball was popped out to the centre, who burst through a gap unopposed to score under the posts, with the conversion adding to their tally.

East Midlands’ relentless pressure continued with another try originating from a lineout. After a series of well-executed phases, they broke through the NLD line. A standout moment of the match came when the East Midlands loosehead prop received a pass at speed on his 35-meter line, bulldozing through three NLD players to score a remarkable try.

NLD’s best chance came late in the second half. A strong run supported by several teammates nearly resulted in a try, but the ball was held up at the line.

In the third 20-minute period, East Midlands introduced a fresh side, maintaining their momentum. A quick lineout caught NLD’s defence off guard, leading to another try and conversion. Missed tackles, rapid offloads, and excellent support play allowed East Midlands to score once more as the quarter concluded.

In the final quarter, NLD displayed resilience and produced their best performance of the match. They created multiple scoring opportunities but fell short of completing the final phases. Despite their efforts, the scoreboard remained unaltered.

This challenging match served as a valuable learning experience for the new NLD squad, underscoring the importance of cohesion and teamwork.

The NLD U17s squad embarked on their first of four games, facing off against Warwickshire U17s at Berkswell and Balsall RFC amidst scorching sunshine, marking the year’s inaugural heatwave. The training match adhered to a format of two 35-minute halves, succeeded by two 20-minute halves, facilitating comprehensive squad rotation.

NLD secured the toss and opted to play downhill on the traditionally undulating Warwickshire pitch. The NLD players initiated the game with vigour, swiftly asserting dominance in the forwards. Despite Warwickshire’s initial offensive push, the first significant opportunity arose for NLD when they intercepted a pass on their 22-yard line as Warwickshire pressed forward. This led to a breakaway run by the NLD winger, halted just yards shy of the try line. Subsequently, a robust scrum laid the foundation for NLD to spread the ball wide, enabling their fullback to dart over the line for the opening try, making it 0 – 1.

A dynamic attacking lineout on Warwickshire’s 5-metre line saw NLD form a maul, driving relentlessly towards the try line, with NLD’s no. 4 ultimately grounding the ball for a quintessential forwards try, extending the lead to 0 – 2.

Throughout the remainder of the first half, NLD maintained Warwickshire on the back foot, limiting their forays into NLD’s territory, concluding the initial quarter with NLD leading 0 – 2.

The second quarter commenced with Warwickshire enjoying the downhill advantage, determined to narrow the deficit. Despite the intensified pressure, NLD’s defensive line remained resolute, with their forwards continuing to dominate the scrums. Warwickshire managed to capitalise on a fortuitous kick, securing their first points of the match on the left flank, bringing the score to 1 – 0.

Warwickshire swiftly capitalised on their momentum, exploiting a four-man overlap on the left to notch their second try, edging ahead 2 – 0.

NLD’s most promising opportunity of the quarter stemmed from a well-executed lineout and maul deep in Warwickshire’s territory, sadly Warwickshire had learned from their previous encounters and declined to engage.

The third quarter saw Warwickshire commence with renewed energy, earning a penalty on NLD’s 5-meter line and capitalising swiftly with a quick tap, catching NLD off guard for their opening try, 1-0.

NLD responded promptly, launching a determined offensive that was narrowly denied due to a foot in touch. However, they rallied, winning the ensuing lineout and executing a powerful push from the forwards to level the score at 1 – 1.

Warwickshire retaliated, executing a well-coordinated try against the slope with a 4 man overlap, quickly followed up from a lineout skilfully taken from NLD, Warwickshire recycled and took advantage of a dogleg NLD defence to power through for the try from 22m, to end the third quarter 3 – 1.

Entering the final quarter with NLD facing the uphill battle once more, Warwickshire again capitalised on a quick tap and the slope advantage to score, despite NLD’s spirited start and a try held up by an NLD prop, resulting in a 1 – 0 lead. Warwickshire’s second came amongst controversy with a grubber kicked through the NLD defence, with the crowd thinking the runner was in an offside position, nevertheless the try was given for a 2 try cushion. However, to their utmost credit the NLD players continued to push uphill and eventually bore fruit, culminating in a try that halved the deficit at 2 – 1.

In summary, it was a promising start for the NLD squad, showcasing dominance in the forward play and many glimpses of potential. The influence of the slope was evident in the game’s dynamics and scoring patterns, with Warwickshire ultimately emerging victorious with a narrow margin, concluding the match 8– 5, In a thrilling game of Rugby, many thanks to our hosts and the match officials.