Season of dreams for Southwell Under-17s
The Southwell Under-17s’ marvellous season concluded on Sunday with a classic 37-7 victory over a tough Sleaford side that clinched the Three Counties Plate.
The game saw them complete a 21-game unbeaten run, inflicting a first defeat of the season on Sleaford to achieve the feat.
From the start, the Redmen’s pack swarmed the catcher and pressured the defence into mistakes. After a series of phases, Southwell were awarded a penalty that fly-half Sam Hedley calmly despatched to settle the nerves.
With confidence high, the Redmen went forward again, with skipper and number eight Dan Benson leading from the front as he drove powerfully over the line to increase the margin with a well-taken try.
Sleaford replied with a converted try, but that was as good as it got for them as Southwell added tries from Jack Skill, Joe McHale, Josh Hart, Alex Berry and Freddie Hunt, with Hedley adding two conversions.
Barton 13 - Southwell 1sts 25
Southwell 1st XV showed that maybe the good times are returning to Park Lane with a strong performance away at league opponents Barton.
The scoreline shouldn’t have been so close but mistakes cost the Redmen dear.
Centre and man-of-the- match James Thomas capped a great game with two well-taken tries. His centre partner Sam Fenton added his own try, a conversion and one penalty.
Veteran scrum half Dave Rimmer, who had earlier missed out when he just failed to cross the line, made amends when he scored the fourth and final try.
Barton came back strongly but the Redmen’s pack held firm as they gained revenge for defeat earlier in the season.
Southwell 1sts face Ashby at Park Lane tomorrow (3pm).
Southwell 2nds 32 - Lincoln 3rds 12
Southwell 2nd XV continued their upsurge in form with a solid win as they took out their frustration at last week’s no-show.
The strong Reapers backline tore into the visitors and were rewarded with a penalty that centre Ryan Burbidge despatched.
Tries from Burbidge and scrum half Rob Dennis put the Reapers in control.
Winger Reece Dixon ran through to score his 11th try of the season and a conversion from fullback Adam Madeley gave the Reapers a 20-0 lead at the break.
Mistakes in the second half allowed the opposition back into the game with two scores closing the gap.
But the Reapers hit back as Burbidge added a second try before substitute prop Malc Hazard raced in from 30 yards to score the fifth and final try, followed by another Madeley conversion.
Southwell U-15s 5 - Newark U-15s 14
In a local rivalry that was played to the traditions of the phrase, Newark came out on top at Park Lane.
Southwell had the better of the play in the first half and capped it with an excellent try when winger George Lees cut inside from his wing and used his pace to break tackles to cross the line.
After half-time Southwell had to defend their line fiercely but Newark’s persistence paid off when scrum half Matt Evans scored a try and Alex Hales converted to put their team ahead.
Newark sealed the game when Olly Noble chased up a delicate chip and burst through several tackles in determined fashion to leave Hales to slot over the conversion.
