Crewe & Nantwich RUFC Senior Academy headed of for its first runout of the season on Sunday, an away trip to Heaton Moor RUFC (nr Stockport) for a preseason challenge game.
With only six U18’s available, the majority of the team were playing up an age grade for the first time and the team was a completely new line up.

Special mention to our latest recruit Nigel Ngoni, starting on the wing after very little time with us and having a great game.

From the off, C&N took the game to Heaton Moor and showed they would not be pushed over by the more experienced side. That the first score went to Heaton Moor was against the run of play, but the lads took it on the chin and continued to work hard in attack and defence.

C&N's lack of game time began to show though, as the defence got to narrow and Heaton Moor got on the outside to go over for a second try to lead by 12.

After a deep breath and a chat under the posts, C&N came out and stuck at it. The ever-increasing dominance of the scrum saw the lads gain field position from a penalty, the lineout worked a treat to get a maul moving forward that Heaton Moor could not stop, with Jacob Belfield-Upton getting over for a well-worked team score. Toby Evans took the extras to see the score at 12 – 7 going into the first break.

Heading out for second of three 20-minute periods, changes to the line up were made to ensure the lads got experience and tested themselves. The effort and commitment from C&N did not drop and C&N were unlucky to have Niall McCarthy held up over the line after a great move up the middle. Once again Heaton Moor had better fortune once they arrived in our 22 and started the last session up 26 – 7.

With only three subs, on a hot day and maybe not quite enough fuel for a 1200hrs kick off, the C&N team still continued to push, dominating the scrums and playing off the enthusiasm and drive that came from the forwards who carried hard all day.

The reward was an excellent team try that that saw bulldozing forward carries release the ball to the backs who went through the hands at pace to see Harry Oxley go over in the corner. As the whistle went, C&N were still on the front foot, pushing hard and looking to score again.

A final score of 26 – 12 was a good result for the lads, we had moved players round, tried different combinations and taken on 23 experienced players and given them a game that was great to play in, watch and referee (as Sir kindly told us).

Many thanks to Heaton Moor RUFC for the looking after us so well, the chicken and chips went down a treat. We look forward to coming back again in October for our Halbro Colts League fixture.

Team
Alex Huxley, Cai Owen, Charlie Grinnell, Dan Applin, Harry Oxley, Harry Reade, Jacob Belfield-Upton, Jay Latham, Joe Waterhouse, Kian Quinn, Luis Waterhouse, Nathan Aston-O’Donovan, Niall McCarthy, Nigel Ngoni, Ted Mottram, Thomas Hollins, Toby Evans, Zak Pederson