Lord Williams’s U18s Rugby team reach National Quarter Final

HE last 16 tie of the U18 Natwest Schools Rugby Knockout saw Lord Williams’s School team travel down to Dorset to take on Bournemouth Grammar School.

With a blinding low sun and a slope on the pitch ensured that this was going to be a game of where use of the elements and conditions were pivotal. Lord Williams’s kicked off with the slope and win at their backs and were instantly able to pressure the Bournemouth defence.

Forward dominance and a lot of committed defence saw Lord Williams’s turn the ball over in several important areas of the field. The consistent pressure supported with the astute tactical kicking from Sam Nicholls at Fly Half saw Lord Williams’s camped in Bournemouth’s half. A well composed backs move on seven minutes saw the pace of Alex MacDonald round the centre and fullback to finish neatly in the corner, this was converted by Nicholls.

From kick off, several phases of disciplined forward play saw Lord Williams’s immediately apply pressure to Bournemouth again. From a line out display that took control of the game away from the home team, Charlie Wooster was able to secure a platform that allowed Dan Pearce to crash over the line after a period of disciplined and sustained attack to make it 12-0.

Bournemouth came back at Lord Williams’s with a determined and physical approach in the tight. However strong counter attacking from the Lord Williams’s three quarters and discipline at the breakdown ensured the penalty count was low and pressure was relieved from some Bournemouth attacks. On 28 minutes, another well-constructed move in the backs game MacDonald space to score his second in the corner to make it 17-0.

From kick off, the forwards built a strong platform through the middle of Bournemouth’s committed defence which saw several patient phases rewarded with number 8 Will Kent break off the back of a ruck and dive over the line, Nicholls converted. 24-0.

In the second half with the slope and conditions in their favour, Bournemouth laid siege to the Lord Williams’s 22 for 14 minutes. A succession of determined defence and disciplined tight play restricted Bournemouth from scoring for a long time, this was to prove vital in the outcome of the game. On 49 minutes, finally Bournemouth’s dominance saw them go over in the corner which was converted to make it 24-7.

Within this determined defence Lord Williams’s lost both Kent and Nicholls to injury which meant that the bench was going to be put to the test. Sam Coldicott stepped up from another impressive display at full back and ran the back line with confidence to help relieve pressure and maintain the defensive intensity to close the game out.

Discipline and fitness in the forwards saw Lord Williams’s gradually push the determined Bournemouth pressure back into their own half, credit must go to the whole squad for the commitment that each player showed to the defence.

Finally the referee blew the final whistle which saw Lord Williams’s go through to the national quarter finals. We will look forward to the quarter final draw in January.

SOURCE: Contributed