Grimsby RUFC U17s 19 Ilkeston RUFC U17s 14

The match held at Sleaford rugby club was a very close affair in terrible conditions with both teams making handling errors in the driving rain. Grimsby opened the score in the opening minutes when a penalty for offside was slotted over by fly half Lewis Dyson. A second long range penalty from centre Lewis Rothenburg for hands in the ruck doubled the blues lead before Ilkeston took the lead following a try in the corner when Grimsby were caught with an overlap. The conversion gave Ilkeston a 7-6 lead at half time. In the second half Grimsby came close to scoring before Ilkeston managed to score another converted try. With Grimsby trailing they continued to press with Ilkeston defending franticly. The Grimsby forwards led by prop Richard Watson and hooker Conor Simcock made good ground with powerful drives which eventually led to a Grimsby try from No.8 Ash Rendall-Tyrrell who snatched the ball from a maul and dived low to score. Rothenburg added the conversion to narrow the gap to one point. Both teams continued to attack but the blues defended well with full back Rob Bell outstanding. Grimsby continued their aggressive rucking and forced Ilkeston into conceding penalties, two of which were easily converted by Rothenburg to give Grimsby a well-deserved 19-14 victory. Grimsby now face Bakewell in the final at Sleaford on 28th April.
Team: Watson, Simcock, Roberts, Tasker, Sutherland, Fleming, Cowper, Rendall-Tyrrell; Gant, Dyson, Rothenburg, Treacher, Picking, Landymore, Bell. Subs: Munro, Rogers, Hooley, Clark.