On Wednesday the ISRFC Lambs U18s made it two wins from two on their tour of Croatia and Italy as they defeated Regionale Veneto 33-10 at Rovigo RFCs Stadio Mario.
An excellent performance, with a particularly impressive 2nd half, saw them run in five tries with some classic Fast and Free play.
It was Regionale Veneto who made the scoreboard first as they kicked an early penalty to take a 0-3 lead. However, the Lambs always looked dangerous – particularly from turnover – and it was just that which led to the first try as Man of the Match Bradley Hutler (Wisbech Grammar) stole the ball from a breakdown before releasing Elliot Rayment (RHS, Ipswich) down the right wing; Alfie Orchard (Bedford) reliably added the extras to put the Lambs 7-3 up after 10 minutes.
A passionate and physical Regionale Veneto side continued to put pressure on the Lambs, whose huge defensive efforts soaked up. It was then another turnover by Hutler (Wisbech GS) that led to the next score as he released Tyler Tomlinson (Felsted) down the right wing before some quick play allowed the ball to move right to left and try scorer Rayment (RHS, Ipswich) turned provider to Framlingham’s Harry Bureau, who had a lot to do before scoring in the corner. With the extras added the Lambs led 14-3.
Regionale Veneto continued to pressure and eventually it told as after three attempts they went over with a catch and drive from a 5 metre lineout on the stroke of half time, taking the score to 14-10.
After some wise words from captain Alfie Orchard (Bedford) and the impressive Owen Jones (King’s Macclesfield) at half time the Lambs came out with more energy in the second half, helped also by the input of a strong bench.
10 minutes in saw replacement outside centre Oliver Mann (Wisbech Grammar) extend the lead as Hutler (Wisbech GS) picked through the middle of a ruck and went 80m before feeding his school mate on the inside to finish it off under the posts.
It was then replacement scrum half Jack Trundley (Wisbech GS) who created the next score as his break allowed him to feed captain Orchard (Bedford) who was held up just short of the line, quick recycling and two passes left saw Alex Liley (St Peters York) dive over to take the score to 26-10 with 15 minutes to go.
Regionale Veneto never gave in and continued to press the Lambs line, but some stoic defence kept them at bay. With time running out they kept pushing, but it was the Lambs who had the last word and rounded off the game with a powerful try by Will Kay (Stockport Grammar) who went through and over his man to score under the posts and complete the scoring at 33-0.
Commenting on the game, Lambs National Director Alex Laybourne said:
“It was another good performance by the squad in what was a very different game to Croatia U19s. They stepped up physically and worked hard to create front foot and offloading opportunities to play Fast and Free.”
“With two more games to go there is still more to come from this group, and they have identified themselves that they are only scratching the surface of their ability as a team. They are exited for the next game, where we have less than a 48 hour turnaround for the fixture in Florence, where I am sure we will see them take more steps forwards as a group.”
ISRFC Lambs 33-10 Regionale Veneto U18s
Man of the Match – Bradley Hutler (Wisbech Grammar)
ISRFC Lambs XV:
15 Harry Bureau (Framlingham College), 14 Tom Watson (Framlingham College), 13 Elliot Rayment (Royal Hosptial School), 12 Byron Van Uden (Stamford), 11 Darren Ali-Scott (Queen Ethelburga’s), 10 Alfie Orchard (Bedford, captain), 9 Tom Walker (Felsted), 1 Aiden Ali (Cheltenham College, vc), 2 Joe Martin (Portsmouth Grammar), 3 Samuel Wright (Rugby), 4 Owen Jones (King’s Macclesfield), 5 Toby Risebrow (Framlingham College), 6 Harrison Stiles (Framlingham College), 7 Tyler Tomlinson (Felsted), 8 Bradley Hutler (Wisbech Grammar).
Replacements: 16 Ollie Brown (Shiplake College), 17 Tom Eyston (Ampleforth College, vc), 18 John Petty (Trinity, vc), 19 Henry Reed-Purvis (Bradford Grammar), 20 William Kay (Stockport Grammar), 21 Alex Liley (St Peter’s, York), 22 Oliver Mann (Wisbech Grammar), 23 Piers Martin (Felsted), 24 Jack Trundley (Wisbech Grammar).
Tries: Rayment (Royal Hospital School) Bureau (Framlingham College), Mann (Wisbech Grammar), Liley (St Peter’s, York), Kay (Stockport Grammar)
Conversions: Orchard (Bedford) x4
ISRFC Lambs U18 Tour Schedule:
Depart – Friday 30th March
Game 1 – Sunday 1st April – Lambs 99-0 Croatia U19
Game 2 – Wednesday 4th April – v I Dogi Comitato Regionale Veneto U18
Game 3 – Friday 6th April – v Centro Do Formazione F.R Prato & Milano
Game 4 – Tuesday 10th April – v Italy U19 B
Return – Wednesday 11th April
