GLOUCESTERSHIRE U18 TEAM 16-17
This Season the u 18s have played two games both at the superb facilities at
Bristol Grammar School. The squad started with two trials involving 150 plus
nominations from across the county. These boys were whittled down to a
selected group of 34 of which, because of various commitments, 30 played.
Not surprisingly their first outing against Devon was less cohesive than the
second against Somerset. Playing in quite cold conditions on Saturday the 22nd
Gloucestershire went down 22 to 7 to the Devon team. More reliant on flashes of
individualism than supportive teamwork the boys were outscored by Devon. For
a lot of the players involved in the squad this was their first taste of county
rugby. However on Sunday the 30th pride and teamwork were to the fore as the
lads put on a fine performance of running rugby to outscore Somerset by 6 tries
to two. Committed across the park to tackling with intent they looked as if they
could score from any position on the pitch. Some great handling, subtle passing
and support work brought the tries, 4 scored by the backs and two by the
forwards. Played in front of the England SW regional selectors the boys all gave
them plenty of food for thought. The Final score was Gloucestershire 34 to
Somerset 12.
Congratulations to the squad for wearing the shirt with pride and thanks to
coaching and management team pictured below for doing a great job getting
players together from teams across the County to play a structured game in such
short period of time. Also a massive thank you to Dave Auker-Howlett who
stepped down from Team Manager this year, we would like to thank him for all
his hard work over his 6 years with the team and wish him all the best.
GLOUCESTERSHIRE U18 TEAM 16-17
Pictured above John Wilson (Ast Fwds Coach), Chris Downes (Fwds Coach), Dave
Barley (Head Coach) and Ben Smith (Manager) – not pictured Stuart Bradfield
(Ast Back Coach), Keith Scriven (Secretary), Cyril Ravenhill (Kit Manager).