GLASGOW U16- CROSS BORDER MATCH REPORTS
Monday, 29 March 2010
Glasgow U16 do the double over English counterparts
Glasgow 12 – 3 Lancashire
Glasgow U16s took on Lancashire on Friday night at a very windy and rainy Dalziel Park.  Through the 1st half Glasgow dominated possession and territory, with aggressive scrumaging and work at the breakdown limiting their opponents to clearing their line.  After 20 minutes of forward power and strong surges from Captain Angus Thomson and his pack the ball was moved wide and Tony Boyd’s excellent outside swerve eventually broke the Lancashire defensive line (Walker conversion).  Glasgow immediately exerted more pressure and from a 5 metre lineout the impressive Harry Walker through a long pass to Brodie Clark who clinically finished the try in the right corner.
Half time:  Glasgow 12 – 0 Lancashire
A series of changes at half time and the coaches talk saw a much more even contest as Lancashire eventually played into the Glasgow half.  An early penalty from Lancashire drove them forward, but Glasgow’s well organized and committed defence kept Lancashire under control.   Glasgow’s back row of Tait, Thomson & Redmayne continually stole ball from Lanacashire before any sustained pressure could be exerted in Glasgow’s half.  Glasgow did threaten at periods through the second half with their expansive and inventive play only being thwarted by the weather or good Lancashire defence.  The score remained the same for the rest of the match with Glasgow dominating the breakdown to the final whistle and close out an excellent performance.
Glasgow 17 – 12 Yorkshire
The match on Sunday at Dalziel Park was played under great conditions, compared with the Friday contest against Lanacashire.  Again from the start Glasgow’s aggressive work at the breakdown and the set piece allowed them to control both possession and territory.   Within 10 minutes the Glasgow pack combined to send Jonny Gray across the line (Walker conversion) after good driving work.  Yorkshire rallied and moved the ball to the 13 channel – good tackling from the midfield trio of McCluskey, Walker & Herron kept the large Yorkshire backs under control.  Both sides tried to attack with passing and offloading the ball, but Yorkshire handling errors let Glasgow into their 22.  Again some strong running from Gray, Jardine & Thomson allowed the Glasgow pack near their opponents line and soon Glasgow had their 2nd try of the match.  Yorkshire driven on by the 2 tries surged up field and after Glasgow gave a series of penalties away the Yorkshire plays caught a lineout and drove over at the third attempt to narrow the scorleine before half time.
Half time:  Glasgow 12 – 5 Yorkshire
The Yorkshire team started the half in a similar pattern – attacking the 13 channel – again the Glasgow midfield held strong and forced the errors from Yorkshire.  With the Glasgow scrum dominate the match was played largely around the half way with neither side able to get near the line.  Occasional breaks from Yorkshire & Glasgow (Rutnagur) scrum half’s gave both teams the opportunity to play in the opponents 22, but with good defenses and the pressure building neither team could finish the phases.  It was Glasgow who eventually scored next with 10 minutes to go.   McCluskey broke well and fed Walker who dashed around the wide defence and fixed the full back to put Neil Herron in at the corner.  Glasgow again drove well into the Yorkshire half through the Forwards and centers, but a penalty for holding on allowed the Yorkshire 9 to break and feed their pacy winger who evaded 4 Glasgow tacklers to sprint under the posts and allow Yorkshire a glimmer of hope.   The last 3 minutes Glasgow defended well and forced the turn over that drove Yorkshire deep into their half and a final scrum allowed the Glasgow pack to close the match out.
An impressive performance from the players over the weekend – thanks to all players and parents for their effort and commitment through the Glasgow U16 program.  Also thanks to Dalziel RFC, the match officials and the Glasgow U16 management Team.
Glasgow U16 Squad:
Forwards:  Blair Jardine (Ayr), Robbie Mackie (Ayr), Kerr Malcolm (St. Columbas & Hawks), Calder Dallas (Hamilton), Chris Barnes (High School & Hawks), Darcy Rae (Marr), Fraser Hastie (Kelvinside & Hawks), Jon Gray (Cambuslang), Sam Thompson (Kelvinside & WoS), Grant MacDonald (Hutchesons & GHA), Angus Thomson (c) (Biggar), Jon Tait (Hawks), Fraser Smeaton (Wos), Peter Redmayne (Kilmarnock)
Backs: Josh Rutnagur (Hutchesons & GHA), Sean Yacoubian (St. Columbas & Hawks), Danny McCluskey (Ayr), Douglas Jagger (Hawks), Harry Walker (Glasgow Academy & Hawks), Neil Herron (Hillhead/Jordanhill), Tony Boyd (Marr), Max Lott (Hutchesons & GHA), Brodie Clark (Glasgow Academy & Stirling County), Matt Evans (Ayr), Stephen Gillies (Stirling County), Scott Murray (Hamilton)

This article was posted on 29-Mar-2010, 18:04 by Hugh Barrow.