Rugby League Gloucestershire All Golds Thread

[Mr. Sharky]

Cumbrian Lessons being Learned

Cumbria Regional Academy under 20s 42 vs. University of Gloucestershire All Golds under 20s 10

In early April Cumbria came to Gloucestershire and conquered by 0 – 70. In the reverse fixture last Saturday the All Golds travelled North and were hit with an opening stanza whirlwind and found themselves looking down both barrels at the break and trailing 36 – 4. The only All Golds scorer being the ever impressive dummy half Luke Stephens who stars in the winter for Old Cryptians rugby union club. Unfortunately he was not able to play the second period due to an ankle injury.


However the resumption witnessed a much better performance by the All Golds. The defence became much more dogged and regimented with improved communication.

Gloucestershire lost Liam Rice-Wilson to a head knock mid-way through and this allowed James Simons from Hartpury College to display his abilities at half back in what was only his second game of rugby league.

Eventually the visitors were rewarded with a further try when Daniel Spencer-Tonks powered over. James Mason converted. Mike Stewart received a yellow card in the last 5 minutes along with Cumbrian hooker Brad Marwood for a minor skirmish.

Ryan Lee, on his return from a shoulder injury, captained the side and orchestrated play with an astute kicking game.

Connor Jones caught the eye in attack making a lot of metres from centre.

For the impressive Cumbrians Shane Toal scored 3 tries. A fine player who will represent Scotland in the Commonwealth Games 9s next week. His fellow centre Joe Hambley weighed in with a brace. The University of Gloucestershire has offered rugby league scholarships to both of them and with good reason. Other Cumbrian try scorers were Liam Armstrong from the wing position and Brad Marwood with a dart from dummy half from 40 metres out. Cole Walker-Taylor converted 7 from 8 after directing play well from the stand-off position.

Player-Coach for the day Mike Stewart was pleased with the improvements being made by this age group:

“Overall we had a greatly improved performance from the reverse fixture, especially the second half holding them to 6-6. Cumbria complimented us on the strides we have made in the short space of time. It is important to bear in mind that the Cumbrian side was full of top young players assembled from some of the best junior clubs in British rugby.”

For more information about the All Golds Touch Rugby visit www.allgoldsrugby.com/play-touch-rugby or follow them on Twitter @AllGolds

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http://allgoldsrugby.com/cumbrian-lessons-learned/

 

[Mr. Sharky]

Golden Future on the Horizon, but Fev are Fine

University of Gloucestershire All Golds under 16s 4 Featherstone Rovers under 16s 24

Golden Future on the Horizon, but Fev are Fine
University of Gloucestershire All Golds under 16s 4 Featherstone Rovers under 16s 24
Mediterranean sunshine and a manicured arena combined to provided the perfect stage for a display filled with all the ingredients that the sport of rugby league is famed for: skill,speed,athleticism and bone jarring defence. The youngsters of Gloucestershire and Featherstone rose to the occasion in memorable and compelling fashion. From the moment All Golds custodian Mac Dale crashed into the visitors paceman Tommy Naylor the crowd knew it was witnessing an encounter to behold. For the first quarter this superb game went from end to end with both defences reigning supreme. The All Golds will rue not turning possession and field position into points. An overlap was spurned when a touchdown seemed inevitable whilst a Liam Keating, Alex Cox, Tom Elsey raid down the same flank was thwarted. However the Rovers have not swept all before them this season including the scalp of Super League Castleford Tigers without good reason and after absorbing a series of assaults on their goal line worked their way upfield and finally cracked the All Golds defence with a delightful handling move that was finished in the right corner with aplomb by Louis Brown. The Yorkshiremen now led 0 – 4 and they were able to consolidate their lead with more smart dummy half work close to the Gloucestershire line which again paid dividends as Ethan Flowers crashed over.

At the break Featherstone led 0 – 8 although the home side will feel that with a little more attention to detail they could have been even closer. With powerful surges by Henry Davies and Kieran Knight and tireless prompting from Tom Webb the All Golds ended the opening stanza with considerable optimism. The initial segment of the second period saw the Rovers camped in Gloucestershire’s quarter and though Liam Keating and Lucca Calderone made telling contributions it was the All Golds collective defending that impressed onlookers. Even so with Dylan Brannan and Luke Adamson to the fore and some 7 minutes into the resumption Featherstone again struck out wide with a well crafted move that saw Jack Render elude defenders at the flag. From the restart the All Golds struck back and a fine Keating break set up the platform for Tom Webb to scoot in from close range. The goal was missed but at 4 – 12 this tough and absorbing contest was in the balance. The match reached a zenith with heroic All Golds defending up against well executed Featherstone attack. The home ramparts were finally breached when a kick rebounded into the hands of the excellent Featherstone full back Liam Beckett and he gleefully touched down by the sticks. Luke Adamson goaled and at 4 – 18 and deep into the match ‘Fev’ seemed destined for a joyous return home to the white rose county. A final Rovers score from the impressive Brannan and Adamson extras brought the curtain down on a day to remember. Whilst Featherstone selected Roy Railton as their stand out they had many fine performers as did the All Golds.

What did they say?
Robin Sharp Head of Youth Performance at Featherstone Rovers :” It was a tough contest. We are pleased to win. Gloucestershire should be encouraged by their performance although we are disappointed. ”


Stuart Crabb Head of the All Golds Academy:” Although it was an outstanding performance by our boys the dressing room is subdued as they felt they could have got closer. There are great signs for the future. To put this into context they have only lost once this season and that was against Leeds Rhinos. ”


Match Stats:
Competition: U16 Academy
Full Time Score: UOG All Golds 4 – 24 Featherstone Rovers
Half Time Score: UOG All Golds 0 – 8 Featherstone Rovers
UOG All Golds Scorers: Tries by: Tom Webb
Featherstone Rovers Scorers: Tries by Louis Brown, Ethan Flowers , Jack Render, Liam Beckett, Dylan Brannan. Goals by Luke Adamson x 2

http://allgoldsrugby.com/golden-future-horizon-fev-fine/

 

[Mr. Sharky]

All Golds victory named ‘Performance of the Week’

Kingstone Press Performance of the Week – University of Gloucestershire All Golds

The All Golds were naturally delighted with the recent victory over promotion chasing York City Knights. The club has come on in leaps and bounds recently, and picked up some fantastic victories under Steve McCormack, but what was witnessed last Sunday at the Prince of Wales Stadium will forever be remembered as one of the great matches.


The University of Gloucestershire All Golds coach Steve McCormack hailed his squad’s attitude after their 24-22 victory over York City Knights.

McCormack said: “We’re certainly going in the right direction. Everybody’s working exceptionally hard for each other, and that’s the starting point for a lot of things.

“We’re not getting carried away, but we’re putting a few structures in place and making some progress.

“We had two players against York that had come through our U19s system, and there are loads more like that waiting for their chance.

“Everyone’s working hard and feeling valued, and hopefully that will stand us in good stead as the year goes on.”

The club enjoys a weekend off this weekend but preparations are continuing well ready for the return derby at the Prince of Wales Stadium on Sunday 22nd June against Oxford RL.

http://allgoldsrugby.com/golds-victory-named-performance-week/

 

[moto748]

I really ought to make the effort to check out the All Golds, as they're not a million miles from me (about 60).