Successful Tour for U16s

Southwell (0) 5
Yarnbury (14) 28
Tries: Jamie McDonnell (2), Jacob Rawson (2)
Cons: Maxwell Lee (4)

2 tries either side of half time gave Yarnbury what looks like a convincing win, but Southwell played well and possibly deserved the score line to be slightly tighter. The game could have ended differently, but was stopped early due to some off the ball incidents on the field.

Yarnbury started strongly and applied pressure through having the best of the territory in the opening minutes. Within the first couple of minutes Yarnbury thought they had got over the line but were penalised, giving Southwell the ball. Soon after this Yarnbury breached the Southwell 22 again and were awarded a line out when the home side kicked clear to just outside the 22. Pick and drives got the ball closer to the line, but eventually the ball could go to the backs and Jamie McDonnell could score in the corner. Maxwell Lee kicked the difficult conversion, which gave Yarnbury a 7 point lead 12 minutes in. 8 minutes later Yarnbury had a second score, after they kicked clear from their 22 and the home side’s fullback knocked on, on half way. Joe Pilling burst from the base of the scrum giving the travellers forward momentum. He was then tackled but the ball could be played to the backs, where Jamie McDonnell beat the first defender before stepping the last man and running away into the corner. Maxwell Lee kicked another conversion, doubling Yarnbury’s lead. Southwell had a couple of chances in the Yarnbury 22, but the away side’s defence held strong, and no further scores were made. Half time Southwell 0-14 Yarnbury.

Southwell scored first in the second half, 5 minutes in, following a relentless paced opening. Their forwards and larger backs pummelled the defensive line getting over the gain line each time. Eventually the Yarnbury defence was sucked in and although Jamie Baker could make a fantastic tap tackle, the ball was popped into the air and their centre could run in to score in the corner. The conversion was missed, and so Yarnbury remained 2 scores in front; 5-14. It only took 4 minutes though, before Yarnbury scored again, following pick and drives and a 10 meter break from Maxwell Lee. Matt Schofield, who had shown some fantastic handling so far in the match, now opted for the boot and chipped over the defensive line, their oncoming full back knocked on, allowing Jamie McDonnell to kick through, he was then tackled without the ball. A back tracking defender managed to kick it along the grown to try and clear but it hit Jacob Rawson and rolled into the in goal area, allowing the flying winger to dive over and score. A further conversion was kicked; 5-21. Yarnbury opted to play a game of territory after this, which was very effective as they made a turnover halfway between the Southwell 22 and half way. Maxwell Lee, could then chip over the defensive line and as the ball bounced back onto Yarnbury’s side, Jamie McDonnell could grasp the ball before passing to Jacob Rawson, who scored his second in the corner. Maxwell Lee finished the game with his 100% kicking record intact, and the game was ended soon after. Full time Southwell 5-28 Yarnbury.

Man of the Match: Matt Schofield – showed some superb handling making his debut at 10 and kicked brilliantly also combining well in the new half back pairing.

Yarnbury: Keenan Dixon-Dyer, Jamie Baker, Jamie McDonnell, Alex Koppany, Jacob Rawson, Matt Schofield, Maxwell Lee, Dan Mitchell, James Longhawn, Luke Woodend (capt), Jack Brownridge, Ruairi Daly, Jimmy Strover, Joe Birchall, Joe Pilling

Replacements: Saman Azari, Sam Brown, Leo Mercer, Edward Green, Josh Dunn