England U18's v London Academy

This weekend saw an England U18's match against the London Academy side as a warm up game before they take on Australia schools on December 12th.

The Harlequins academy boys represented both the London Academy and the England U18 team well, with eight boys playing for both teams this weekend as well as two more that were originally selected for each of the sides but could not take part due to injuries.

Representing the London Academy team was:
Craig Holland - wing (Sussex)
Toby Quarendon - Centre (Captain) (Surrey)
Ollie Richards - Centre & Wing (Sussex)
Ben Axten-Burrett - Centre (Surrey)
Alex Stout - No 8 (Surrey)
Jordan Saunders - Hooker (Surrey)

Representing England U18 was:
George Merrick (2nd Row)
Kyle Sinckler (Prop)

After the England U18s put 13 tries past the SW Academies a few weeks ago, the main aim was to give the England side a stronger challenge and show our London Academy players in a good light.

The Harlequins defence coach and Academy Manager, Tony Diprose, managed the London Academy team and proved that he is quite the force in professional coaching when the Academies put on quite a show. Academies defended strongly for the 1st 5 minutes, but a fluent counter attack by the England U18 backs produced a great try in the corner. Academies continued to give no quarter and all the players worked hard in defence throughout the 1st half whilst also testing the England defensive line. Ben Axten-Burrett and Jordan Saunders both made an impact as substitutes in the 2nd half as the game opened up a little more and the Academies finished strongly.

The academies rugby mindset was shown through their determination to play attacking rugby where possible. They had plenty of opportunities to kick for goal, but dogged determination saw them keep the ball in hand and play the type of rugby audiences are keen to see. The England 18 Group ran out narrow winners but the result was less important than the performance and in that respect the London Academies may well have just sneaked it.

The next game is against North Academies on the 22nd November.


National League 1
Sedgley Park 21
Esher 20

Sedgely Park held off an Esher comeback to secure a vital win against top of the league, Esher.

It only took eight minutes for Park to score after they created space and went under the posts as well as kicking the extras. They came back attacking, and a maul allowed the flanker to peel off and crash over the line. Esher were however able to kick over two penalties. Esher started the second half as they finished by pressurising Park, which resulted in a yellow for the home side. This allowed Esher to play their usual attacking rugby and scored two quick tries.
Once Sedgley had their full team back, they pressurised Esher again making the visitors give away penalties. Park nudged over three penalties, the final one on the 80th minute, giving them the win.



National League 2 South
Rosslyn Park 31
Ealing 24

A vicious and heated battle between these two rivals saw Harlequins' Rob Buchanan help Ealing come so close to a victory but come away with no cigar.

Park were the first to draw blood and see yellow, but this didn't stop their attacking prowess as the Ealing defence faulted to give Park an easy three points. Ealing hit back by stealing a Park lineout and ran it out wide for their winger to sprint up the pitch to be put down by an illegal tackle giving Ealing a penalty try. 3-7. Another penalty for Park and more tension boiling over gave another sending off for Park. Again, this didn't stop them attacking and drove over the line for a try, going into half time 13-7.

Park came out in the second half and dominated, putting 10 points on the board in ten minutes to lead 23-7. The point's difference seemed untouchable but Ealing started their come back with a caught cross field kick and went over on the 65 minute mark, which was also converted. Ealing hit back with a penalty to strengthen their lead but it was Rob Buchanan who broke the Park defence to score.

A great end to the game with another Park try under the posts and a last minute penalty from Ealing saw them come so close, but the point's difference at half time was too much for the visitors to catch up.