BERKSHIRE U20 storm to victory against HAMPSHIRE U20 on the south coast

Berkshire RFU U20 continued their great start to this seasons Jason Leonard U20 Championship with another dominant forwards display in their victory of 39-19 away at Hampshire U20s.

Berkshire started well and two of the former Berkshire U18 players in Josh Riles and Callum Cooper (also South West England U18) leading from the front. Bracknell No. 8 Josh Riles peeled off the back of a catch-and-drive from a line-out inside the Hampshire 22, and while he was held up just short, as was second row Callum Cooper , the former was then able to get back on his feet and blast over from close range.

The advantage was doubled shortly after when the home side again did well to hold a maul short of the line, but Ealing Trailfinders Academy man Cooper cleverly found space on the right before darting over following a pass from another former (county U18 player) Reading Abbey scrum-half Sol Robinson.

With the Berkshire pack increasingly getting on top, the third try was hastened by a turnover at the scrum just inside the Hampshire 22.

From there, the away side surged towards the try line – former Rams Mini and current University of Exeter man Josh Norman carrying strongly – before Matt Smith’s well-timed pass allowed Reading University fullback, Robson a simple first of the afternoon.

The gallant hosts battled bravely, however, and cut the deficit to a single point before the interval, firstly scoring a brilliant flowing try in which they kept the ball alive superbly, and then grabbing a second on the right wing with an expert conversion fully following.

However, it was Berkshire who started the second half brighter, setting up their fourth score of the afternoon. Firstly, Rams loose-head prop Harry Etwell’s powerful charge took his side some 10 metres from the try line, before another Ram Henry Lenthall’s beautiful miss-pass found Finn Matthews – the Reading University student to touch down on the right.

Berkshire made it 25-12 when replacement and lively Oxford Harlequin Ben Murrell dived over off the back of a maul, but the home side kept themselves in the contest with a try of their own from close range.

However, the door was finally slammed shut when skipper Spencer Hayhow – who had scored four times in the first game – went on a trademark bullocking charge before Charlie Robson showed a delightful combination of quick feet and power to scamper over on the right.

And another dominant Berkshire scrum then set-up Riles to dive over from a metre out for his second of the afternoon, Smith’s conversion proving to be the last points of the day.

Berkshire will next host Surrey on Sunday, March 20 for a place in the semi-finals.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

https://www.ramsrugby.com/videos/match-highlights-hampshire-under-20s-1937-berkshire-176889.html

For more details on the fixtures and honours players that have come through the Un20 programme go to the Berkshire U20 County Page (link at the bottom).

Berkshire RFU would like to extend our gratitude to all the clubs, coaches, referees and supporting volunteers across the county who have developed and inspired these young players during their formative years to reach this highly respected honour in representing the county – You make a difference!