Saturday 1st September 2007
South Hunsley School 37-17 Mirfield Free Grammar School
Despite having a year before they jet off to Ontario, South Hunsley got of to a winning start in the first pre tour friendly. 19 of the 27 squad players made themselves available despite them being on holiday, and they put in a solid opening performance.
From the starting whistle, Hunsley's powerful forwards were asking questions of the visiting defence. They answered with a solid reply, however 8 minutes of constant pressure eventually resulted in a try by Centre Ben Marsden. Moments later Rob Marson increased the gap contributing to and capitalising on some great phases of play, outlining the patient Hunsley build up. Callum Campbell went over in similar fashion in the corner on 24 minutes, and just before 1/2 time Joe Martin created an ever so frequent individual try from nothing to take the scores to 20-0. He converted this himself.
HT 22-0
After mixing the squad around ready for the second half, Mirfield started to find their attacking feet. Pressure from the No8 and No12 was cosistant. On 5 minutes, Ironically a loaned SHS player (Rob Hodges) scored the first opposition points with a converted try under the sticks. Ben Marsden replied after a fantastic break on the blindside by Flanker Rob Marson. He showed maturaty beyond his years to throw a dummy, round a player then draw the fullback putting Marsden in at the corner. Ben Marsden later completed his hat-trick with a solo effort. Mirfield then replied with a try of their own following a break down the wing. With 10 minutes remaining, coach Ray Morris then loaned Mirfield Rob Marson, and he was to deny Ben Marsden a fourth try. Ben's break however did result in the best try of the match. He was caught on the 22m line by Marson, but turned to offload to the supporting Scrum Half Harry Platten. Platten then popped the ball up to Joe Martin who put a 15m miss pass out to Callum Campbell who used his great understanding of the game to arrive at the right place at the right time for a score in the corner. In the dying moments Mirfield snatched their third try of the half but it was only consolation in what turned out to be a highly contested, well mannered game. Worthy of a special mention were Elliott Hodges and Tom Walker who ran and tackled hard all day, but congratulations needs to be given to both teams.
Mr R Morris.
SQUAD: 1. N.Franklin, 2. D.Carty, 3. R.Rogers, 4. K.Thornham, 5. G.Ashton, 6. C.Campbell, 7. R.Marson(c), 8. E.Hodges, 9. W.Thompson, 10. B.Willingham, 11. R.Hodges, 12. J.Martin, 13. B.Marsden, 14. B.Chu, 15. T.Walker. (Subs all used) 16. A.Wilde, 17. J.Soulsby, 18. H.Platten, 19. J.Hart.