The Lambs held their annual Chairman’s Day on Sunday 16th January at Oundle School’s very impressive facilities after two long years away due to Covid. Three Regions with squads of 26 turned out in beautiful conditions, perfectly suited to Lambs Rugby.
With a competitive day expected, they certainly did not disappoint – each Region taking a win apiece in high quality and quick tempo matches.
In the first game the Eastern Region pipped the North/Midlands by a conversion 17-15, before the Southern Region put in a exceptional performance to beat the Eastern Region 19-12, with plenty of opportunities left out on the pitch. With all to play for in the final game, and the North/Midlands never to be outdone, a game that was neatly poised at 0-0,despite the opportunities, quickly turned with a North/Midlands double in 2 minutes. Joe Barrett (Ampleforth College) scoring, probably, the try of the day after picking a beautiful line off a turnover and cruising 50m to score in the corner. A score apiece following that saw the North/Midlands win 15-5.
Commenting on the day, Lambs Chairman and Founder Chris Terry said: “It was a wonderful day of running rugby that showcased the amazing quality and commitment of the boys involved and reinforced our commitment to offer this opportunity to these players. The passion within the Regions was outstanding and I would like to express my thanks to all the players who have been involved, and of course the staff who have made it happen, for embracing The Lambs ethos on the Chairman’s Day.”
It is a quick turnaround for The Lambs, who will put our their Invitational side to face Irish Exiles on Sunday from the group of players at the Chairman’s Day. As exciting squad has been selected for the game at Oxford Harlequins RFC (3pm KO):
George Jones of Millfield School has been named The Lambs Captain for the 2022 season, having shown exceptional leadership skills throughout the Development Days and standing out in particular on the Chairman’s Day as someone who can embody the Lambs ethos going forwards.
Lambs Director of Rugby Alex Laybourne said: “We are incredibly excited to get going again on Sunday with nearly two years since our last game in Pink! We look forward to the boys being able to go out there and showcase themselves against what is always an excellent Irish Exiles team, and I am delighted that George has accepted the captaincy role for the season.”
“The standard at the Chairman’s Day was incredible and there are some very exciting players who are going to pull on the shirt both this week and in subsequent weeks, and we look forward to giving these players the opportunity to play some fast and free rugby.”
Following this game they then have a week off, before facing Coventry on 6th February at Butts Arena (1pm KO). The Touring squad to Ireland will be announced at the end of January.
For the game against IQ Rugby this Sunday, Millfield’s Jones is assisted by Oundle Jasper Orlebar, who will start at inside centre as vice captain. Alongside him is Berkhamsted’s Joe Pannese, a key figure in their Daily Mail Trophy title winning campaign last term, and his schoolmate Charlie Woodmansee will start at scrum half.
At fly half is Taunton’s Benjamin Chaffey, with Mount Kelly’s Charles Warren on the left wing, Millfield’s Aaron Molner on the right, and West Buckland’s Joe Hill at full back.
Joining Jones in the back row are Oundle’s Archie Bingham at 7 and Paris Mcerlain of Lord Wandsworth College at 8, and it’s and all Trinity second row of Pierce Cummins and Joe Connolley. In the front row Rugby’s Oliver Nilsson is at loosehead, with Royal Hospital School’s Michael van Haren at tighthead, and Henry Kunzig of Shiplake College at hooker.
It’s a six man bench, featuring two Northampton School for Boys players, Jacob Steel and George Cresser, as well as two from Royal Hospital School, Eli Govindasamy and Joel Sheldon, plus Mount Kelly’s Antonio Suarez and Shebbear College’s Connor MacMillan.
Lambs XV v IQ Rugby (Irish Exiles): Sunday, 3pm
15 Joe Hill (West Bucklands), 14 Aaron Molner (Millfield), 13 Joe Pannese (Berkhamsted), 12 Jasper Orlebar (Oundle, vice captain), 11 Charles Warren (Mount Kelly), 10 Benjamin Chaffey (Taunton), 9 Charlie Woodmansee (Berkhamsted), 1 Oliver Nilsson (Rugby), 2 Henry Kunzig (Shiplake College), 3 Michael van Haren (Royal Hospital School), 4 Pierce Cummins (Trinity), 5 Joe Connolley (Trinity), 6 George Jones (Millfield, captain), 7 Archie Bingham (Oundle), 8 Paris Mcerlain (Lord Wandsworth College).
Replacements: 16 Jacob Steel (Northampton School for Boys), 17 George Cresser (Northampton School for Boys), 18 Antonio Suarez (Mount Kelly), 19 Eli Govindasamy (Royal Hospital School), 20 Joel Sheldon (Royal Hospital School), 21 Connor MacMIllan (Shebbear College).
Images by www.charlesorlebarphotography.co.uk
