| County youngsters to the fore for the L&SE U20s |
| Tuesday, 18 May 2010 | |
 A LATE penalty goal by Hampshire fly half Chris Lewis gave the London &
South East Division Under 20s a 28-26 win over the Midlands U20s in their annual
fixture at Cambridge University's Grange Road ground on Sunday (May 16).
Lewis, who also plays for Bath University, coolly converted the 40-metre kick which followed soon after a try by Middlesex and Saracens Amateurs wing Robbie Martey had reduced London's arrears from 26-20 to one point. The London Divisional side is chosen from players competing in the London & South East and Army County Championship competition. Martey was one of three Middlesex representatives alongside Sam Katz, who came back from playing in New Zealand to take part in this match, and Charlie Doyle from Ruislip who was captain of the Middlesex side which reached the U20 quarter finals. London got off to a fantastic start as the forwards took early control which forced two penalties kicked by Lewis. After 16 minutes the Midlands scored a well worked forwards try by No.8 Gareth Taylor (Coalville and Leicestershire) converted by Hinckley and Leicestershire fly half Guy Swadling. The London Division again showed some running flair in the backs, and Greg Sullivan (Worthing Raiders and Hampshire) linked up with his county No.8 Joe Atkinson from Petersfield for a try converted by Lewis and a 13-7 lead at half time. The Midlands were soon in the ascendancy in the second half and their forward power was beginning to show. With some dynamic drives and quick off loads they were rewarded with a try by Bedford Blues and East Midlands scrum half Daryl Veenendaal which Swadling to give his side the lead, 14-13. After 65 minutes Cambridge University wing Rob Stevens went over from a long way to make it 19-13 but the lead was to change three more times. London centres Katz and Sonny Gay from Southend and Essex posed many threats to the Midlands defence and In the last 10 minutes the London pack produced enough ball to put Martey away for an outstanding try, converted from wide out by Lewis. Midlands responded with a second try by Stevens converted by Swadling to be 26-20 in front. With 75 minutes gone and after seven phases of play the ball found its way into the hands of the flying Martey to score and in the dying minutes London settled a match of much skill and excitement with Lewis's clinching penalty. ANOTHER REPORT ON THIS GAME ....
The Midlands Division U20s, played their Annual fixture against London U20s
at Grange Road Cambridge on Sunday 16 May 2010. The London Divisional side is
chosen from players competing in the London, South East & Army, U20s County
Championship Competition.
Played in a glorious setting on a sun drenched pitch London got off to a
fantastic start as the forwards took early control which forced 2 penalties
which were struck with deadly accuracy through the trusty boots of fly half
Chris Lewis of Hampshire. On the 16 minute the Midlands scored a well worked
forward try which was converted. At, 7 - 6 down the London Division again showed
some running flair, with a back line eager to run at every opportunity, Greg
Sullivan (Hampshire) linked up with No 8 Joe Atkinson (Hampshire) who scored
their first try which was converted by Chris Lewis. With a missed penalty kick
by each side the half time score was 13 - 7 in the favour of London
Division.
With a crowd of over 350 people they were being treated to some great end
of season running rugby. The second half started and Midlands were soon in the
ascendancy and their forward power was beginning to show. With some dynamic
drives and quick off loads they were rewarded with a power driving try, which
was duly converted with the score again changing hands to 14 - 13 in favour of
the Midlands. On the 65 minute the Midlands pack again breached a porous defence
scoring an unconverted try, and with the score at 19 - 13, London had much to
do.
The London pack soon won some good ball and their back line again showed
what could be done. London centres, captain Sam Katz (Captain
Middlesex and Sonny Gay (Essex) posed many threats to the Midlands
defence and In the last 10 minutes the London pack produced enough ball to put
away wing three quarter Robbie Marty (Middlesex) with an outstanding try, which
was converted from out wide by Chris Lewis. With the score line again changing
20 - 19 in favour of Middlesex, this last ten minutes turned into a tense
thriller. Midlands responded back with a converted try and at 26 - 20, the
Midlands supporters thought the trophy was theirs.
On the 75 minute after some 7 phases of play the ball found its way into
the hands of the flying Middlesex wing Robbie Marty of Saracens (Middlesex) to
put the score at 26 - 25 in favour of the Midlands. In the dying minutes London
threw every last potion of energy into a game which showed much skill and
excitement and were rewarded with a penalty some 40 meters out. Much
responsibility was put on the young shoulders of Chris Lewis who confidently
walked up placed the ball and stroked the contact with pure accuracy as the ball
sailed through the uprights giving London Division the final winning score of 28
- 26.
London Division Coaches Mike Marchant and Neil Collins, were very proud of
the way the players from the various London & South East Counties came
together to play such attrractive open rugby.
London & South East U20: Will Alkin (Kent); Greg Sullivan (Hampshire), Sam Katz (Middlesex, capt), Sonny Gay (Essex), Robbie Martey (Middlesex); Chris Lewis (Hampshire), Andy Garner (Surrey); Dan Sargent (Hampshire), Bill Sandison (Kent), Tom Bristow (Surrey), Will King (Essex), Chris Spedding (Kent), Andy Gray (Sussex), Alex Tomkins (Kent), Joe Atkinson (Hampshire). Replacements: James Catton (Surrey), Charlie Doyle (Middlesex), Jack Taggart (Hampshire), Oli Edwards (Surrey), Sam Eydman (Kent), George Ryle (Sussex), Rudy Sanwell (Surrey). |