Totnes Under 15's
The Under 15 team is coached by Nick Hodgson, Phil Green and Peter Styler with Stuart Miller assisting. Thanks also to the many parents that continually help and support the team
We have a great team that has continually improved and is now capable of playing great rugby. The coaches have a strong squad to choose from but are always keen to hear from any prospective players. The coaches place great emphasis on giving every team player a part in every game.
Contact the chief coach Nick Hodgson
Click on these links to go straight to:
Training details
Fixture list
Latest match report
We hope to include some photos of the team in action with each match report.
Sponsors - the photo shows the Under 15 team kit being presented by our sponsor - Southern TImber
Match ball sponsor - For £25 you or your company can sponsor the ball used in each home match. contact Steve Cross on 07970152191.
Training - takes place at Borough Park every Thusday at 6pm throughout October 2007.
We will move to the astroturf pitch at KEVICS and train every Wednesday at 7pm from November.
Our training consists of fitmess training followed by rugby skills. Wear trainers or boots suitable for astroturf, but bring your rugby boots as well! Unfortunately, we do not have changing facilities at KEVICs, so bring a change of clothes and a drink.
Fixture list - the fixture list is planned in some time in advance and can change at the last minute. The coaches always confirm details at the training session before any fixture.
If a match is not scheduled, a training session will be held at Borough Park.
Following the hugely succesful Under 14 Surf n' Turf tour to Newquay, we will post details of the 2008 tour as soon as they are available.
To help fund the 2008 tour, buy the shirt you wore last year for £5. See Nick.
| Date |
Playing against (kick off) |
Home / Away |
Result |
| 2007 |
|
|
|
| 2 September |
|
|
|
| 9 September |
|
|
|
| 16 September |
Paignton |
Home |
Win |
| 23 September |
|
|
|
| 30 September |
Bideford - cup match |
Home |
Win |
| 7 October |
Exeter Chiefs |
Away |
Win |
| 14 October |
|
|
|
| 21 October |
Kingsbridge |
Away |
Win |
| 28 October |
Tiverton and Plymouth Argum |
Away (Tiv) |
Win / Win |
| 4 November |
Plymstock |
Away |
Draw |
| 11 November |
Cullompton - cup match |
Away |
Win |
| 18 November |
Teignmouth (10:30) |
Away |
|
| 25 November |
|
|
|
| 2 December |
Newton Abbot |
Home |
|
| 9 December |
Kingsbridge |
Home |
|
| 16 December |
|
|
|
| 23 - 30 December |
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY |
|
|
| 2008 |
|
|
|
| 6 January |
Penryn |
Home |
|
| 13 January |
|
|
|
| 20 January |
Brixham |
Away |
|
| 27 January |
Teignmouth (11:30) |
Home |
|
| 3 February |
Paignton |
Away |
|
| 10 February |
|
|
|
| 17 February |
Torquay (11:30) |
Home |
|
| 24 February |
|
|
|
| 2 March |
Plymouth Argum |
Away |
|
| 9 March |
|
|
|
| 16 March |
|
|
|
| 22 March |
St Ives |
Home |
|
| 23 March |
Saltash |
Home |
|
| 30 March |
|
|
|
| 6 April |
FESTIVAL |
|
|
| 13 April |
Plymstock (11:30) |
Home |
|
| 20 April |
Newton Abbot |
Away |
|
| 27 April |
Exeter Chiefs (11:30) |
Home |
|
Match reports
We want the match reports to be a parental team effort, so if you can note try scorers or write about the match, we'd like to hear from you! We are always keen to see photos of the team in action.
11 November 2007
Cullompton 0
Totnes 27
Totnes U15’s continued their unbeaten start to the season with an away win in the cup.
Despite having a strong wind against them, Totnes were able to pin Cullompton back on their own line for much of the first half. A number of handling errors prevent them from opening the scoring until a clever switch pass by fly half Ewan Beard allowed Dave Palk to run at pace and force his way past a number of opponents for the first try.
Totnes kept up the pressure and this time it was flanker Owen Styler who was feed the ball in space following some good handling amongst the backs. Styler beat the remaining two defenders to force the ball down for the second try. The first half scoring was rounded off by full back George Palk, who went over in the left hand corner. This followed some good vision and excellent passing from one side of the pitch to the other.
In the second half, and with the wind now in their favour, Totnes were able to keep Cullompton pinned back with accurate and clever kicking. Cullompton were forced to run the ball back from defence, but the Totnes tackling proved too strong. The ball was turned over in the 22 and second row, Joe Bryan Edmonds, showed excellent strength to power over for a try. This was converted by George Palk.
Cullompton never gave up and started to push for a try themselves. The Totnes defence held firm once more and the final score of the match came from a strong drive by Totnes No. 8 Josh Beamish. This followed an excellent run by winger Sami Khan. There was excellent commitment and effort shown by the whole squad of 21 players all of whom played for at least some of the game.
Man of the match was Tom Irwin.
Click on this link to see match photos
4 November 2007
Plymstock 17
Totnes 17
Totnes extended their unbeaten run to 7 games but were unable to force a win away at Plymstock.
Despite spending much of the first half in the Plymstock 22, Totnes lacked some of the aggression and fluid back movement that had served then well in recent matches. This allowed Plymstock to gain in confidence and start running the ball through the backs. Despite good defensive work by centres Dave Palk and Sully Young, the pressure grew and Totnes were forced back to defend their own line. Initially, it looked as if they had repelled the attack, but were brought back for a penalty on their own line. The Plymstock flanker used his initiative and took a quick penalty forcing his way over for a try from close range. The conversion was also awarded.
Coach Nick Hodgson took the opportunity to make several substitutions at half time and ensure that all squad members were given a game.
Despite the half time team talk, Plymstock took advantage of some loose play amongst the Totnes forwards and ran in a try in the corner following some good passing. Again the try was converted.
Totnes looked dead and buried at this stage but finally found some of the form they had shown in recent games. The forwards started to win clean ball at the rucks and this allowed fly half Ewan Beard to chip through and take the bouncing ball to score. Totnes were visibly lifted and a clever box kick by the substitute scrum half, Richard Harris, once again put Plymstock under pressure. Totnes were awarded a penalty near the Plymstock line, and following some good interchange between the back row, flanker Owen Styler was able to power his way past the defence to touch down for the second try.
Totnes now had the upper hand, but unfortunately, following some over aggressive play by both sides, captain Will Hodgson was singled out for a yellow card. Initially this had the effect of galvanising the Totnes side and despite having 14 men they managed to move up field once more. Following a fine move amongst the backs George Palk side stepped his way to the line and passed to winger Luke Milton to score in the corner. Palk also managed the conversation to put Totnes 17 – 14 ahead with minutes to go.
Plymstock were not however beaten, and with a man short, Totnes were unable to kill off the game. Despite the return of the captain, Plymstock made one final push and with the last play of the game underway, managed to force a penalty in front of the posts. Plymstock were adjudged to have kicked the penalty successfully with the last kick of the game to claim the draw.
Mark Nicholls was named man of the match for Totnes for some excellent tackling.
28 October 2007
Tiverton 0
Totnes 22
Plymouth Argum 0
Totnes 17
Totnes U15’s extended their winning start to the season following their sixth straight win. The latest wins came at a mini 3-way tournament in Tiverton in wet and windy conditions.
Totnes firstly took on Tiverton and following some early pressure Joe Bryan Edmonds scored in the left hand corner following a powerful run.
Given the difficult conditions, the ball was mainly kept amongst the forwards. Totnes continued to use the wind in their favour and kept Tiverton pinned back in their own half. Having more of the ball Totnes finally decided to test the opposition backs and following some fine handling down the back line flanker Owen Styler found himself in space and used his speed to score the second Totnes try.
Despite having the wind against them in the second half, Totnes continued to battle in the forwards and deny Tiverton much possession. Joe Bryan Edmonds also showed a good turn of speed for a second row forward to run the third try in from the half way line. His second row colleague, Ryan Jefferys, then rounded off the try scoring going in under the posts following some excellent pick up and drive play by the forwards. George Palk converted.
Totnes then immediately played Plymouth Argum in what turned out to be a tight contest. Forward play dominated the proceeding until Totnes finally found some space on the left for full back George Palk to cross the line just before half time.
In the second half and the wind now with them, Totnes kicked well pushing Argum back into their own 22. Despite the heavy conditions and back to back games, the forwards showed excellent fitness and managed to contest the rucks and mauls with vigour. With both sides becoming increasingly tired, Totnes were once again able to pass through the backs and winger Luke Milton touched down in the left hand corner.
Ewen Beard completed the scoring with a fine solo run utilising the support to throw two dummy passes. George Palk converted. Winger Luke Milton was named man of the match following several good runs and fine tackling.
Totnes U15’s have now won all six games played this season only conceding 3 tries whilst scoring 35.
21 October 2007
Kingsbridge 5
Totnes 10
Totnes U15 rugby team stretched their winning start to the season to 4 games by beating Kingsbridge 10 points to 5.
Much like the previous match against Exeter chiefs both sets of forwards fought very hard to try and get the upper hand. Right from the kick off it was clear that Totnes were ready for the contest when the back row managed to arrive at the same time as the ball and put Kingsbridge under severe pressure.
After strong forward play Totnes managed to push Kingsbridge back to their own line where second row, Joe Bryan-Edmonds forced his way over the line from close range. George Palk judged the conversion to perfection from the touchline in difficult windy conditions.
This sparked Kingsbridge into action and taking advantage of the sun and wind they managed to push Totnes back to their own line following a penalty kick into touch. A well planned move saw the Kingsbridge second row taking the lineout ball and running on the score. Unfortunately for Kingsbridge the well-struck conversion hit the post.
In the second half Totnes used the wind and sloping pitch to pin Kingsbridge back in their own 22 for much of the time. The game could have gone either way, but the Totnes forwards continued to show tremendous commitment and the backs made tackle after tackle.
Following further pressure from Totnes they were eventually rewarded with a penalty near the Kingsbridge line which George Palk kicked to give Totnes a well deserved 10 point to 5 victory.
Will Hodgson who had a most impressive game as blind side flanker was given man of the match for the forwards and scrum half Josh Green named man of the match amongst the backs for an excellent all round game.
7 October 2007
Exeter Chiefs 5
Totnes 7
Totnes extended their winning start to the season to three games. It was always going to be a severe test, and so it proved. This was not one for the faint hearted, with both packs showing tremendous commitment. Totnes finally managed to create space out wide following quick thinking by Owen Styler at a 22 metre re-start. Unfortunately, George Palk was held up on the line with just one defender to beat.
Under severe pressure, Totnes conceded a penalty near their own line and Exeter managed to force their way over for an unconverted try. Totnes raised their game once more managed to find space on the flanks. This time George Palk made no mistake following a flowing move by the backs. Palk managed to convert from the touchline for what proved to be the decisive score.
Despite incredible pressure Totnes were able to hold out the strong Exeter pack and could have scored themselves.
Overall this was a very committed performance against one of the stronger sides at this age group.
Flanker Owen Styler was one of Totnes’ outstanding back row trio and was named man of the match.
Click on this link to see match photos
23 September 2007
Totnes 90
Bideford 0
Totnes U15 rugby team followed up their win against local rivals Paignton with a convincing cup win against the north Devon side Bideford.
Bideford had travelled a long way for the game but soon found the Totnes all round game too hot to handle. The forwards ability to win the ball consistently enabled the backs to spread the ball wide where space could be found. Excellent support by the forwards helped the team to overrun the stretched defence on a number of occasions.
Man of the match was awarded to Ryan Jefferies for his all round excellent forward play.
Totnes ran in a total of 16 tries, the scorers being:
Will Hodgson (4), Owen Styler (3), George Palk (3), Ewan Beard, Sami Khan, Tom Erwin, Jessi Combs, Joe Bryan Edmonds and Dave Palk.
Totnes look forward to a much tougher challenge against Exeter Chiefs this weekend.
Click on this link to see match photos
16 September 2007
Totnes 68
Paignton 5
Totnes made an excellent start to their season beating local rivals Paignton.
Despite it being the first game of the season the standard of play was generally high and handling good. Totnes were able to combine both forwards and backs, the pressure eventually telling to produce five tries in the first half.
Once chasing the game it was always going to be difficult for Paignton, who continued to show determination despite the mounting score line. Paignton were eventually rewarded by running in a try following a penalty near the Totnes line.
The Totnes flyhalf, Ewan Beard scored two of the tries and was named man of the match. Other tries for Totnes were scored by Owen Styler (2), Jake Brown, Joe Bryan Edmonds, Josh Green, Will Hodgson, Sauli Young and Dave Palk. George Palk and Richard Harris showed excellent kicking form converting all bar one of the tries.
This was a strong all round performance by Totnes as demonstrated by the range of try scores.
Click on this link to see match photos
