SPORT// RUGBY
U15 XV
Development
P3 / W1 / D0 / L2
Points for: 31 / Points against: 76
The U15’s had the unique opportunity
this year to field a team containing a
mixture of A and B team players against
U14A XV
The U14 Season has been one of
promise and development. As a
team grew in confidence and ability.
At the start of the season individual
performances were strong yet the team
togetherness was lacking.
Early results showed this disjointed
performance including the narrow
defeat to Giggleswick in which we
were the better team but didn’t take
our opportunities. Hard work on
the training pitch and a bit of team
bonding through a yoga session held by
Miss Chenery have brought the team
together. It has been a pleasure to watch
the U14 squad develop and improve
and a fantastic victory over Mount St
Mary’s followed by a tremendous 34-33
victory over a quick and powerful Yarm
team have shown the huge progress that
has been made.
The squad have responded well to
challenges that they have been set
and through individual goal setting
and a strong team charter it has seen
a rugby culture created that respond
to the values of Pocklington; Truth,
Courage, Trust. Truthfulness in their
feedback after fixtures, Courage on
the pitch against bigger players
and Trust in themselves and their
teammates.
Moving forward the future looks
promising: as they grow their high skill
levels will continue to develop and if they
show the same levels of development
other schools A teams. Whilst these have
been challenging fixtures the players
have more than risen to the challenge
with the highlight being at 17-15 win
against Bradford Grammar.
Hopefully this has been a valuable
opportunity for those involved and has
certainly help improve the strength in
depth of the U15 squad.
they should make a strong team at the
senior age groups.
The U14 set the challenge of improving
their tackling position and technique
and improving their attacking play
through the principle of go forward.
They have shown huge strides in both
areas. Trust in each other was also a
focus of games sessions and with this
in mind, the boys have been able to
improve their game awareness as they
understand the importance of working
as a team.
They showed fantastic courage in the
tournaments they have played often
been drawn in the toughest groups
against stronger and faster opponents.
Even so, they have never given up and
we have seen quality rugby played even
in the roughest of conditions.
Player of the Season:
James Couttie, William Jones
Most Improved Player:
Henry Hobson
The boys have come together well and
produced some exciting rugby at times.
There is still a little bit of work to do
as they encounter bigger and stronger
opponents but the desire to improve
was seen across the season.
They have been a good group to coach
and have produced some of the best
performances I have seen in Pocklington
Colours.
U14B XV
The U14Bs have been on a very positive
journey. Their initial performances
against Woodhouse Grove and Barnard
Castle were very much a work in
progress. We had some real strength
in the squad but our depth was not
sufficient to hold our own against some
strong and well drilled sides. Work
was done in games and in practice
sessions, and week by week the skills
were developed and the team spirit
grew. Support play, strength and in the
tackle and then running forward were
developed so meter by meter ground
was gained.
The final Michaelmas game, against St
Peters, was perhaps our finest; spectators
commented on the spirit and passion
that was now in the side, however,
against the run of play, the U14Bs found
themselves 10 points adrift at half time.
The spirit was strong but score line did
not reflect the game. The U14Bs held
their heads high as they left the pitch
knowing they had given their all.
Well done to the whole squad (too
many names to mention) and very
much looking forward to even more
improvement in the future.
Player of the Season:
Matthew Brown
Most Improved Player:
James Phelps
THE POCKLINGTONIAN
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