PUBLISHED 19 September 2019
Saturday 14th September 2019
This past Saturday saw AKS rugby play their block of fixtures vs Stonyhurst College and there were some fantastic performances from our boys. ead on for every match report from each of the games.....
AKS took the field against Stonyhurst and St Marys Hall in the glorious sunshine on Saturday. The day resulted in lost of positive development for players and some fine team performances.
The U12s had their first taste of competitive rugby for AKS with 24 boys representing the school in 3 fifteen minute matches against St Mary’s Hall. All three games were very competitive with AKS losing the first 2 tries to 1; the AKS try being scored by William W with a fine solo effort. The second game AKS won 1 try to 0 with a fine score from Alfie K who showed a fine turn of pace, after some excellent handling from Jake G and Sammy C. In the final game AKS battled well, but after being 1 try, the experienced St Marys Hall team fought back to win 3 tries to 1. However the try AKS did score was the best of the day, with Archie B touching down after some great handling from Robert M and Harley H and good recycling from Tommy M and Harry B, to top of a fine effort from the whole squad.
The U13 matched up against a very strong and well-drilled St Mary’s, the AKS boys fought valiantly and made the opposition work very hard for their points. Commendable individual efforts from Finn R and Stan M performing try saving tackles and the leadership in tough circumstances from Toby C. The team look forward to training this week and taking on Altrincham next Saturday.
A truly outstanding performance by the AKS U14 squad, with every player in the team performing to their best, to gain success against a very good Stonyhurst team. Stonyhurst took the lead in the first half with a well worked try and conversion. Both teams were equally matched with no further scores in the first half. Following some words of encouragement at half time, AKS broke the deadlock with Tom O'H scoring under the posts and Rhys G supplying the 2 extra points. AKS held out many Stonyhurst attacks with some brilliant tackling across the whole team, but notably Cameron M and Max M leading the tackle count. With 13 minutes left on the clock, Tom O'H struck again, with another brilliantly worked try, with Rhys G getting the two extra points. AKS now had to hold out. Stonyhurst's fierce attack, using all the space and their faster men to make any gap open up. AKS defence stood resolute however, and with great team work they were able to see out the game in an emphatic win.
This was a fantastic game of rugby with the players from both sides, being a credit to their respective schools.
Final score 14-7 and MoM - Max M
U15’s lost 32-43 but this felt more like a win than a loss. Facing a big and well drilled Stonyhurst side, AKS went at them from the first whistle and didn’t stop until the last. Defensively they didn’t give an inch, tackling in twos and threes and disrupting the oppositions flow whenever possible. AKS also scored some outstanding tries through the likes of Rhys S-R and Joe H, with Josh E and Dan S pulling the strings. They were allowed to do this through tireless work by the forwards, including William W bullocking runs from the scrums and breakdowns. One to fifteen they played so well for each other and the boys coming of the bench were equally impressive. Thanks to captain Christian S for leading the team so impressively. MOM: Dan S
The 2nd put on a display of genuine effort and commitment against a very strong Stonyhurst team.
The performance of the team was typified by the wholehearted, gritty Man of the Match performance of Harry C.
AKS 1st XV travelled to Stonyhurst, looking to build on the positives of the previous week. AKS started well with strong tackle and jackle from Tristan W and Ben F in the back row, frustrating the Stonyhurst team with turn overs. In attack AKS played well from the lineout and caused the home side to work hard out wide. It was Stonyhurst who broke the deadlock,with a powerful run through the middle and of loads to keep the ball alive. From the kick off a mistake put AKS under pressure again and despite a heroic effort in defence to keep the Stonyhurst team out, the pressure eventually told as the score went to 14-0 and AKS down to 14 men losing Louis M to an ankle injury. With one man less on the field the spaces started to open up in the latter stages of the first half and Stonyhurst took the advantage. In the second half, AKS refused to back down and with strong running from Toby P and Chris B, along with the tireless work rate of Ben F around the pitch, AKS continued to challenge the home side, right up until the final whistle. Stonyhurst ran out worth winners in a fine display of power and pace, but AKS earned the respect of all watching showing what true tenacity looks like.
Stand out performance Chris B both in his ball carrying and try saving tackles.
After the game Mr Holmes reflected " I am immensely proud of the squad today, they are a very young side which is a challenge in itself, but to play with 14 men for a large portion of the game showed the character we have in the squad. We will continue to work hard at training, to develop our game and as this side matures, I have no doubt that they will see success in their results".
AUTHOR: Glen Harding