S1 & S2
Strathmore Tournament Victory for Carnoustie U-14s
The annual Strathmore U-14 tournament took place at Forfar on Sunday 7th March. The weather that week looked like it would ruin what is always a hotly contested meeting between the Angus sides. However a break in the frost allowed everything to go ahead as planned, albeit there was more mud than grass.
The previous weeks had shown a growing belief that Carnoustie could beat anyone, and as it turned out this was well founded. First up were the boys from Panmure whose numbers were bolstered by the non playing team. As with most weeks it was the captain, Matthew and try machine Anthony who came up with the points and Rory added the extras for a win which saw a superb tackling performance that prevented Panmure from scoring a point.
With the injured Sean Baird looking on, Carnoustie met Montrose in the second game. The tackling from the first game was turned up a notch and the Montrose boys were continually knocked down behind the gain-line. The pressure finally told with Kyle scoring his first try of the season after some good interplay from the side of a ruck. Corey built on his excellent defensive performance by adding his name to the score sheet, quickly followed by the ever impressive Anthony Franco…….a future Springbok? A deserved victory again, no points against and the defence was so good that the Montrose boys were prevented from having any possession in the Carnoustie half of the field.
Game three saw Carnoustie face Blairgowrie, the only team to have beaten them this season. It was always going to be a hard game but the Carnoustie ball carriers were up for the challenge. Both James and Dylan carried well and some great offloading saw Anthony score, with the free running Liam touching down soon after. Again the opposition were prevented from adding a point to the score sheet.
With all to play for in the final game against the home team the belief in the team allowed them to run riot and score 5 tries, again with no answer. Harry added his first of the day with the try tallies of Matthew and Liam increasing as well. Anthony completed a feat of scoring in every game with a brace of his own and Rory Hay added 3 conversions.
The faces on the touchline said it all. An excellent performance and some proud parents and coaches were happy to see the boys secure their first silverware of the season. Two win was excellent but to do it without conceding a point was something special Once again the rugby spirit came through with many players turning out for the other teams to make up numbers, however it was a proud day for the mud covered Carnoustie U-14, who thoroughly deserved the praise they received.
Carnoustie U-14’s come out top in local games
Montrose 9 Carnoustie 19
28th February 2010
U14 Team:
|
Shaun Baird
|
Ben Lyon
|
|
Connor Blackman
|
David Nail
|
|
Andrew Burgess
|
Ramsay McGowan
|
|
Matthew Burgess
|
Kieran Murray
|
|
Anthony Franco
|
Liam Rennie
|
|
Rory Hay
|
Kevin Rice
|
|
Kyle Howlett
|
Corey Thoms
|
|
James Leslie
|
Dylan Tyrell
|
|
Harry Lobban
|
|
|
Scorers:
|
|
Conversions:
|
|
Anthony (3)
|
Connor
|
Rory (1)
|
|
Liam
|
Matthew
|
|
|
|
|
|
With the Strathmore pitches too hard to play on, Montrose extended the invitation to both teams to travel up the coast for an impromptu round-robin.
Carnoustie were first up against the home side and took charge of the game with aggressive first up tackling led, as usual, by Anthony, Matthew and Corey. With a couple of Carnoustie players making up their numbers, in the spirit of the game, Montrose were not to be easily defeated and they showed this with an early score out wide. However two tries from Anthony and Connor settled the Carnoustie lads down. The strong running of both Anthony and Liam rewarded them with tries in the second half with Matthew also getting in on the act. The wind made kicking a difficult exercise for Rory, although he was able to convert one of the tries.
Carnoustie 14 Strathmore 10
|
Scorers:
|
|
Conversions:
|
|
James
|
Matthew
|
Rory (2)
|
|
Connor (2)
|
|
|
The second game saw Carnoustie up against one of their toughest opponents this year in the Strathie Sharks. With the temperature dropping it was again the opposition who scored first, provoking a backlash from the Carnoustie boys who marched straight back up the pitch with a try from Matthew, which Rory converted. Once more the game was defined by tackles. A missed tackle meant a big gain in territory and with a “fired up” James Leslie on their side there was only going to be problems for the Strathie team. He powered over for try at the end of the first half and tied in several players to allow Connor his first try early in the second.
A couple of defensive lapses were pounced on by Strathie and they score two excellent tries, however the result was put beyond doubt by Connor who stepped through he defence to score under the posts, with Rory adding the extra point.
All in all a really good performance and the teams at this age grade have shown great spirit this year with several of the Carnoustie boys going on in the 3rd game to make up the numbers in the Montrose Vs Strathie game.
Carnoustie 44 Montrose 10
7th February 2010
U14 Team:
|
Connor Blackman
|
Ben Lyon
|
|
Andrew Burgess
|
David Nail
|
|
Matthew Burgess
|
Ramsay McGowan
|
|
Anthony Franco
|
Kieran Murray
|
|
Rory Hay
|
Liam Rennie
|
|
Kyle Howlett
|
Kevin Rice
|
|
James Leslie
|
Corey Thoms
|
|
Harry Lobban
|
Dylan Tyrell
|
|
Scorers:
|
|
Conversions:
|
|
Anthony (3)
|
Dylan
|
Rory (8)
|
|
Liam (2)
|
Ben
|
|
|
Matthew (4)
|
Ramsay
|
|
Carnoustie U-14’s enjoy victory over Montrose in Angus Derby
After the weather put the fixture in doubt, it was great to see Montrose arriving for the game. The boys have played each other a couple of times this season and it has always been hotly contested but good natured, and some excellent rugby has been on show. Unfortunately Montrose were only able to field 12 players, however, in the spirit of the game, no persuasion was needed for a couple of Carnoustie players to pull on a green jersey for the first of three 20 minute sessions.
Stubborn defence ruled the early part of the game with some “big hits” going in from both sides. Anthony Franco gave early indications of his intentions by knocking over any ball carrying player who came within 10 metres. His reward was two tries in the first session both coming from powerful running, after the pack had laid a solid platform. After some pre match coaching, Rory Hay clearly had his “eye in” and converted both. It did not go all one way in the first session. Montrose were rewarded with a try after good interplay in the backs released one of their runners who stormed over to score…………the home side should have taken a mental note!
Period two started much like the first with a little time taken for any scores, party to do with the heavy pitch in all probability. After his exertions in the first period, Liam had obviously decided it was time to add his name to the score sheet with two tries. His trademark ripping of the ball from the opposition and drive towards the line proving unstoppable. Matthew showed his usual electric turn of pace of score his first try of the day and with Duncan Campbell from Montrose doing a superb job as referee, the play flowed with few stoppages. As in the first period, the lads from Montrose would not surrender and indeed were using the space far better. This was rewarded with a well worked converted try from a ruck on half way, with the home defence powerless to provide enough cover out wide. Moments before the end of the “third”, good work by David on the wing forced a cheer from the crowd when Dylan Tyrell trusted his power (to the delight of his dad Andy) and with four defender attached, crashed over the line to score. Rory again added the extras to 3 of the 4 tries.
With the players (and refs!) legs tiring in the 3rd period it was the home side who were able to dig deep and Matthew scored his second, closely followed by Anthony. Both of them showing too much pace and power for the covering defenders. Ben Lyon was not to be outdone and was rewarded with his first try for the club when he broke through the centre and stormed over…….perfect reward for his hard work in defence all day. Again the Montrose boys exploited the space on the outside and coach Caroline Campbell was thanked with an excellent try when the backs shipped the ball from the breakdown and went over in the corner. With his brother Andrew, as ever, proving a thorn in the oppositions side at the breakdown, Matthew showed great vision for a third try, which was closely followed by a fourth, borne from pure pace. With the crowd willing a try from Kyle on his birthday (and some bizarre touchline dancing from senior club players!) it looked like it might happen. A break on the right wing left him tackled a couple of metres short, however Ramsay, cheeky grin already present, scooped up the ball to score and end the game. Rory ended with an excellent 8 from 12 on the conversion front.
Seasons best performances from Kevin and James and great tacking from Harry and Kieran, (made all the better for the fact that it was when they were wearing the green of Montrose), it was a great day of rugby. Fortunately the injuries to the hardworking Connor and Corey were not serious. Both sets of coaches were happy and the state of rugby in Angus looked good on a cold February day.
Carnoustie 10 Glenrothes 7
24th January 2010
U14 Team:
|
Shaun Baird
|
Ben Lyon
|
|
Connor Blackman
|
David Nail
|
|
Andrew Burgess
|
Ramsay McGowan
|
|
Matthew Burgess
|
Kieran Murray
|
|
Anthony Franco
|
Liam Rennie
|
|
Kyle Howlett
|
Kevin Rice
|
|
James Leslie
|
Corey Thoms
|
|
Harry Lobban
|
Dylan Tyrell
|
|
Scorers:
|
|
Conversions:
|
|
Mathew (2)
|
|
Connor
|
|
Anthony)
|
|
|
Carnoustie U-14’s record best win of the season against Fifers
Carnoustie lined up at Shanwell road against an undefeated Glenrothes team, for a game that had all the elements of a tough match. The Glens squad was large, both in size and number, and was extremely well drilled. The boggy underfoot conditions were similar to those their senior counterparts had experienced less than 24 hours earlier. Hopes of emulation their victory formed part of the pre-match “discussion”, as well as the plan to start with purpose from the kick off, something that Carnoustie sides often struggle to execute.
Within 30 seconds of play starting Carnoustie had a try on the board. Good forward play secured the ball and with the ever alert Matthew Burgess spotting a slack defensive line, the chip and chase allowed him to outstrip the defence and score before the crowd has settled.
Stung into reality the Glenrothes side did well to repulse the attacks of a very motivated home team. The tackling was ferocious from both sides and some of the rucking play could have come straight from the training field……..Kevin and Andy couldn’t contain themselves! The first 20 minutes finished with only one score, however contained a huge amount of excellent rugby. Both sets of coaches were delighted and agreed to retain the 15-a-side format for the remaining two thirds.
Hard tackling was again a factor in the second period and only sterling defence prevented the Glens boys from grounding the ball. Twice they crossed the line only to be held up for a 5 metre scrum. It was the first time that Carnoustie has played with a full eight in the scrum and whilst the “usual” front five were in place, both Ramsay and Harry has superb games, out of position, on the flank.
The soft ground was starting to take it’s toll on the legs of those on the touchline, however on the field there was no let up of intensity. Glenrothes had a larger number of replacements and were using them to good effect in removing some of their battle weary players. It looked as though the teams had reached a stalemate, with solid defence outweighing attack, when some excellent interplay in the backs allowed Anthony to power through and “splash down” between the posts. The conversion was added by Connor.
Glenrothes had not crossed the Tay to leave empty handed, however, and their forward pressure paid off with a classic, and well deserved, driving try in the far corner. This was quickly followed by another, this time nearer the posts to allow the conversion.
With the game destined for a draw the Carnoustie team dug deep and after a series of rucks, which sucked in the opposition Matthew completed a captains performance by taking an inside pass and crashed through the defence for a match winning try.
It is difficult to single out a player in such a well fought contest, however Cory Thoms (a P7 at Carlogie) put in one of the finest displays of tackling Shanwell Road has seen. All involved accepted that they’d watched an excellent game and the Glenrothes coaches were full of praise for all the players. This is how rugby should be played……..hard, fast and fair. Everyone enjoyed it and both teams should be proud.
Montrose Vs Blairgowrie Vs Carnoustie
29th November 2009
U14 Team:
Shaun Baird David Nail
Andrew Burgess Ramsay McGowan
Matthew Burgess Kieran Murray
Anthony Franco Liam Rennie
Rory Hay Kevin Rice
Kyle Howlett Corey Thoms
Harry Lobban Dylan Tyrell
Ben Lyon
Scorers: Conversions:
Anthony Shaun (2) Rory
Rory Matthew (2)
Harry
Cold, wet and windy, not exactly the best conditions for running rugby. Montrose were the first opponents and Carnoustie kicked off into the wind. Montrose were short of players and the 12-a-side format suited the boys well and they went ahead with tries from Anthony and Harry. Matthew soon got in on the act too, with his first try after ferocious tackling, particularly by Anthony, pushed the Montrose boys back time after time. Shaun capitalised on this pressure as the ball was spilled and powered through the defence to finish the half strongly. The rolling substitutions worked well in the second period with Ben, Kyle and Ramsay coming on to replace Harry, David and the injured Matthew. Pressure in the forwards from Dylan and Kieran forced Montrose to kick deep and Rory added to his conversion with an excellent solo run from one of these kicks, which ended in another try. By now the tackles from Liam, Corey and Kevin were taking their toll and the constant pressure on the ball carrier by Andrew allowed Matthew to score his second try of the day after a trademark “chip and chase”. With Shaun scoring again after another powerful run, the game was brought to a close by DO, and referee for the day, Stewart Ross.
The second game of the day was against Blairgowrie. Having made up for a poor display early in the season with an emphatic win away from home, confidence was high that victory could again be achieved. It was not to be! Whether the cold or the exertions of the first game were to blame, who knows, but the tackling was just not good enough to halt the larger Blairgowrie boys and the game was lost by several tries.
All in all a pretty successful day with plenty for the coaches to work on still. Wednesday training will be dominated by tackling and any boys under 14 are welcome to come join the team at 6.30pm at Carnoustie High.
Blairgowrie Vs Carnoustie
15th November 2009
U14 Team:
Connor Blackman Ben Lyon
Andrew Burgess David Nail
Matthew Burgess Ramsay McGowan
Anthony Franco Kieran Murray
Rory Hay Liam Rennie
Kyle Howlett Kevin Rice
James Leslie Corey Thoms
Harry Lobban Dylan Tyrell
Scorers: Conversions:
Anthony Kevin Rory (2)
Connor Matthew (2) Connor
Harry Rory
Less than 24 hours earlier the senior 1stXV side had suffered their first defeat of the season and some of the U-14 were at the game and were keen not to suffer the same fate. The team talk prior to the game was about starting with some intensity which had not been the case in the first minutes of the previous games. The first 20 minute were played as an 12-a-side format and as the game unfolded it was clear that Carnoustie meant business with some big tackles going in and some excellent offloads. The dominance of the contact area paid of with Connor evading the defence after the ball emerged from a ruck. Anthony similarly capitalised on some good inter passing and powered over between the posts to finish the first session.
The second session maintained the good nature of the fixture with Dylan and Ben switching sides to bolster the home teams numbers. Although the Carnoustie rucking was still not effective enough, the running of Matthew in the loose was too much for Blair to handle and his clever chip ahead allowed him to outpace the defence and score. As the forwards began to take more control of the ruck area, Kevin used his strength and growing confidence to crash over for the sessions second try. This was closely followed by a third, with some elusive running from Rory after Blair unwisely cleared the ball into his vicinity.
All credit to Blairgowrie as the words of their coach must have been ringing in their ears as they opened their account with the first play of the third session. Direct running showed up weaknesses in the Carnoustie tacklers and a try was scored under the posts. This was just the wake-up call Carnoustie needed and first Harry and then Matthew scored excellent tries to seal a 24 – 4 victory. After going down 27 – 7 in the home fixture it showed how much of an improvement can be made with hard work. The good spirit showed by the lads paid off with a cracking victory against solid opposition.
Carnoustie Vs Blairgowrie
18th October 2009
U14 Team:
Andrew Burgess David Nail
Matthew Burgess Ramsay McGowan
Kerr Feighan Jack Mulholland
Anthony Franco Liam Rennie
Rory Hay Kevin Rice
Kyle Howlett Corey Thoms
James Leslie Dylan Tyrell
Ben Lyon
Scorers:
Kerr
Matthew
Kevin
As with the previous victory away to Brechin the format of the game was 3 twenty minute sessions. Although Carnoustie were prepared for full scrimmaging their Blair counterparts requested uncontested scrums due to two new props in their team.
Right from the start it was obvious that some of the Carnoustie players were still on “holiday mode” and appeared to have a temporary memory loss in what to do in the tackle. Given the Brechin display it was disappointing, however Blair did boast several excellent runners in their team and were rightly rewarded with several tries when the home defence failed to put them on the ground.
Anthony Franco again lead the way in the tackle count and Matthew and Kerr had several big tackles also, however it was not enough to stop the onslaught in the first session.
As you can imagine the coaches “encouraged” the boys prior to the second period and this results in a better performance with Kerr getting on the score sheet. However the session also saw several tries from the Blair boys.
The third session saw another improvement in play and concentration with Matthew scoring a good individual try after the teams pressure paid off. Kevin Rice capped off a good period of late pressure by forcing his way over the line.
It was disappointing to see easy tries scored against us when the team could do better. Allowing anyone to run freely will create problems, let alone the dangerous runners in the Blair ranks. The up side is that we know it can get better and the chance to prove that against the same opposition is only a few weeks away.
Brechin Vs Carnoustie
U14 Team:
|
Shaun Baird
|
Ben Lyon
|
|
Andrew Burgess
|
David Nail
|
|
Matthew Burgess
|
Ramsay McGowan
|
|
Anthony Franco
|
Liam Rennie
|
|
Rory Hay
|
Kevin Rice
|
|
Kyle Howlett
|
Corey Thoms
|
|
James Leslie
|
Dylan Tyrell
|
Scorers: Conversions:
Anthony (2) Rory (4)
Matthew B (3)
Shaun (2)
Dylan (1)
For the first game of the season the weather was perfect for open rugby. The format of the game was 3 twenty minute sessions, to allow the coaches plenty of input.
Anthony Franco put in a display of ferocious tackling and confident running which was rewarded with a personal tally of 2 tries.
After struggling for numbers last year, the influx of experienced new S1 players (and Corey Thoms from P7), has made a huge difference.
Kyle Howlett took some excellent line-out ball, which allowed the free-running Andrew Burgess to release the backs on numerous occasions. Both teams rucking play was a joy to watch and every inch of the park was used.
The boys know their counterparts very well, having played against them in fixtures over the years, and in particular Ross (Brechin) took some stopping.
Matthew Burgess captained the side for the first time and led from the front with dynamic tackling and ball recovery – talk about “stay on your feet”!! At the end of the day his tally of 3 tries was well deserved.
Brechins powerful forwards made life tough, but Ben Lyon, David Nail and Shaun Baird made life difficult for the opposition, and when given space Shaun was able to punish the opposition with 2 tries.
Newcomers Kevin Rice and Liam Rennie fulfilled their training potential and were an asset to the team.
James Leslie turned in a powerful performance, as did Dylan Tyrell, who powered over from the base of a ruck to score a deserved try.
Special note should be given to Ramsay McGowan, who was literally “everywhere”.
And in Rory Hay, the Under 14’s have found a solid full-back and kicker, converting 4 of today’s tries.
Well done guys, keep it up!!!
|