2011 Denton Hurdle Memorial Matches
Denton Hurdle Memorial Matches writeup by Ian Henderson.
Game 1 – Teachers U16’s vs Renegades U16’s
The annual Denton Hurdle Memorial day kicked off with the Under 16’s putting on a fine display of physical and attacking rugby. The Red’s had the better of the early exchanges which was Daniel Nash side step his way over the white wash for the first try of the day. The young fly-half duly converted his own try to give the Red’s a 7-0 lead. The Black & White’s built up a period of pressure in the Red’s half however from a turnover ball Ndaveyh Williams outran the Red’s defense from 50 meters to score under the posts. Nash again with the conversion for a 14-0 lead at the half.
The second half began much like the first with the Red’s exerting much of the pressure and keeping the ball through the phases. Nash again was on hand to sneak down the blind side for his second score of the day and again added the extras with the boot for a 21-0 lead. This would be extended by Joshua D’Allie who drove over from a scrum close to the line for a 26-0 lead. Towards the end of the game, the Black & White’s began to exert their own pressure and were rewarded when young Tadhg O’Shaughnessy drove over for the try. O’Shaughnessy then added the extras. Final score 26-7 to Teachers U16.
A great exhibition of rugby to get us under way and great preparation for the Under 16’s for their upcoming tour to Trinity College, Ontario.
Game 2 – Teachers Ladies 2nd’s vs The Rest Ladies 2nd’s
The Rest Ladies 2nd’s took control of this match from the off with Orla Joyce running in for an early try. This was soon added to by Roseanna Irish who ran the length of the field following a turnover ball from Teachers. Joyce would add her 2nd of the match before the half to give The Rest a 3-0 lead at half time. The second half saw The Rest defend their lead and keep the Teachers Ladies out for the remainder of the half. Final score 3-0 to The Rest.
Game 3 – Teachers Men’s 2nd XV vs The Rest 2nd XV
Teachers took this game by the scruff of the neck and raced into an early lead. A barnstorming run by the Teachers prop down the blind side lead to the first try of the match. The conversion was missed by Montgomery. The second try of the game was soon to follow. Good work from the Teachers forwards saw the ball moved into midfield and the ageless Alvin Harvey crashed over for a try which was converted by Montgomery for a 12-0 lead. There was time for one more score before half time with Teachers No.8 crashing over from a 5 meter scrum. Jerry Way added the extras to give Teachers a 19-0 half time lead.
The start of the second half saw The Rest grab a score back which was converted by Lewis O’Brien. However it was to prove in vain as three further scores from Teachers, including one following an impressive run by young Ndaveyh Williams, would give Teachers an unassailable lead. Final score 36-7 to Teachers 2nd XV.
Game 4 – Teachers Ladies 1st’s vs The Rest Ladies 1st’s
The ladies match was a fast paced and thrilling encounter, with both teams showing up well in attach and defense. The Rest Ladies were the first on the score sheet when Melanie Duchaine took advantage of a whole in the defense to score down the middle for a 1-0 lead. Following some outstanding defensive work, the Rest were soon on the attack again and doubled their lead when captain Nicky Jones picked an excellent line of Duchaine to dot down. The teams would turn round at the half with the Test leading 2-0.
Teachers ladies came out fighting in the second half and put a lot of pressure on the Rest’s try line. The next score would prove to be vital and it came from the Rest as Mikapedia Tomita took advantage of some confusion in the Teachers defense to grab her first of the day. Teachers would pull one back through Katy Wright as she continued her impressive try scoring season. Final score 3-1 to The Rest.
Game 5 – Teachers Men’s 1st XV vs The Rest 1st XV
The final match of the day, and the main event, saw Teachers first XV take on a Bermuda Select team. The Rest had the best of the early exchanges with pressure being put of the Teachers line. However good defense from Teachers and turnovers from The Rest prevented them taking the lead until Rich Brown crashed over following a good catch and drive at the lineout. Tommy Edwards missed the extras to give The Rest a 5-0 lead. Not long after, The Rest were on the attack again and a sublime piece of individual skill saw Durnferd Davis chip the ball over the defense and collect his own kick before racing in under the posts. This time Edwards would be successful with the conversion for a 12-0 lead to The Rest.
Former Bermuda Sun Sportsman of the Year Tom Healy was next on the score sheet for The Rest as his break down the blind side and some good offloading saw the ball back in his hands for him to score out wide. Edwards would again prove to be unsuccessful with the conversion. 17-0 to The Rest.
Teachers finally clicked into gear towards the end of the half and were rewarded when Chris Landey broke down the right and evaded some poor tackling from the half backs of The Rest to score under the posts. Greg Fraser added the extras to pull Teachers back into it at 17-7. However The Rest would have one more opportunity before half time and following an infringement from Fraser, which saw the Teachers full-back spend 10 minutes in the sin-bin, Edwards slotted over a penalty to give The Rest a 20-7 half time lead.
The Rest rung the changes at half time and the introduction of David Pringle at full back gave The Rest an additional attacking threat. This excellent running off the centre’s created space for Davis who was denied his second try of the match by a last ditch tackle by Teachers. However Davis would not have to wait too long for his second try of the match as Pringle picked a great line through the backs, offloaded to Steven Husbands who in turn put Davis in for an unconverted score. 25-7 to The Rest.
Teachers fought back and the introduction of David Cooke gave them a lift and they were rewarded for their endeavors, scoring a fine try of their through young Nick Chilvers. 25-12. In a day which was The Rest dominate it was only fitting that the final score went to them. Tom Healy grabbed his second of the day intercepting a loose pass in the Teachers 22. Pringle was off target with the extras. Final score 30-12 to The Rest.
A great day of rugby was had by many and a big thank you from everyone to Teachers Rugby Club for their organization and hospitality afterwards.
This weekend takes a break from rugby actions, with league fixtures resuming on February 20th.
