Lancaster Boys 17 - Guthlaxton College 19

Guthlaxton’s Year 11 boy’s rugby team recorded a first win over local rivals Lancaster boys school in an entertaining display of power and determination to secure the bragging rights by 19 points to 17.

Guthlaxton led from the front in their first game of the season, after some early exchanges of breaks, Guthlaxton took the lead when a cross field kick from scrum half Matthew Western Smith found Jacob Clements on the wing, who scored the first try of the day for Guthlaxton College.

From then on Lancaster, using some heavy forwards managed two tries from close range as the Guthlaxton defence could hold out no longer. With the scores at half time 12points to 5 in favour of the home side, Guthlaxton would have to rally in the second half.

Things did not start well as shortly after the break, Ryan Morrison withdrew from the game after a knee to the face which ended his day early. This left Guthlaxton with an uphill battle as Lancaster were able to capitalise and score a third try within the first 5 minutes of the second half.

Guthlaxton with only 14 players, and the scoreboard shown Lancaster up by 12 points needed to step up to plate, and step up they did, with a fantastic try by Alex Busby who was able to hold of 2 Lancaster defenders to score by the posts. Following on from this try the Guthlaxton boys felt the momentum behind them and pushed further forwards with good breaks by Tom Lilley, James Swift and Tom Rowe to gain good field possession for the team.

The decisive try came five minutes form the end of the game after quick hands form the backs released Jacob Clements within his own half to beat 3 players and score under the posts to wild celebrations by the Guthlaxton team. Still only drawing John Robertson was able to put Guthlaxton ahead with two well taken conversions to ensure the Guthlaxton team came away victorious. After the game coach Mr Quail noted, “This was a good team effort and showed the boys exactly what we are capable of when we work hard for each other.”

Published on Thursday 18th September 2008 at 09:00