A clinical edge saw the RFU Midlands U18s beat the LAMBS on Sunday afternoon. On a wet and windy day and a heavy pitch, both teams looked to play decision-making rugby. The LAMBS created space around the park right from the off, but the last pass didn’t stick often enough.
A back and forth game saw and early try for the Midlands, before a spell of three tries in seven minutes at the end of the first half brought the game to life. The LAMBS, at 0-14 down, finally saw their passes stick and Ben Oliphant-Thomson (Blundell’s) made a centre field break before feeding Number 8 and Man of the Match Sam Hudson (St Peter’s, York) who crashed over before converting his own try. However, the momentum was quickly snatched away with a late Midlands try, taking the half time score to 7–19.
The second half saw the impressive George Hitchcock (Felsted) continue to make breaks, but the clinical edge wasn’t there as the LAMBS couldn’t execute the chances made. On the other side, the RFU Midlands U18s were clinical, scoring a turnover try at the beginning of the second half before putting away two late tries to add a gloss to the scoreline in what was a well-balanced game played in a good spirit throughout. Final score 7–38.
National Director Alex Laybourne said after the game:
“We played well in stages and showed that we can play a good brand of ‘Fast and Free’ rugby. It was a heavy pitch and a windy day, which pressured the players skill set as they continued to try and play a positive brand of rugby; so credit must go to them for that. There are many positives to take into next Saturday against Crawshays, and it was also fantastic to welcome nine new faces this week.”
Full Time: ISRFC Lambs 7-38 RFU Midlands Counties U18
| ISRFC Lambs U18 XV | ||
| Pos | Name (Appearances) | School |
| 1 | Edward Linkogel (1) | Woodhouse Grove |
| 2 | Oliver Short (c) (2) | Wisbech Grammar School |
| 3 | Ben Oliphant-Thomson (1) | Blundell’s |
| 4 | Harry Johnson (2) | Ashville College |
| 5 | Eddie Goss (1) | Wellingborough |
| 6 | George Cassell (2) | Bloxham |
| 7 | Charlie Wilder (1) | Blundell’s |
| 8 | Sam Hudson (2) | St Peter’s, York |
| 9 | Charles Guthrie (2) | Yarm |
| 10 | George Hitchcock (2) | Felsted |
| 11 | Alfred Nordgren (1) | Woodhouse Grove |
| 12 | Will Vaughan (2) | Pangbourne College |
| 13 | Isaac Rayworth (1) | Plymouth College |
| 14 | Callum Corbett (2) | Stamford |
| 15 | Mason Knowles (1) | Woodhouse Grove |
| Replacements | ||
| 16 | Ben Parker (2) | RGS Newcastle |
| 17 | Cory Nelsen (1) | Caterham |
| 18 | Daniel Ali (1) | Cheltenham College |
| 19 | Alec Hampden-Smith (2) | Mount Kelly |
| 20 | Henry Wills (2) | Stamford |
| 21 | Louis Fraser (1) | Woodhouse Grove |
| 22 | James Costin-Pratt (2) | Pangbourne College |
| 23 | Toby Buckland (1) | Royal Hospital School |
| 24 | Will Hughes (2) | Berkhamsted |