This is the first in a series of features on the club’s mini and youth gangs. The article first appeared in last week’s (23-10-2021) match-day programme for the visit of Lincoln.

This happy gang is the club’s busiest team, having played eight games so far and winning seven of them. They are back in action this Saturday (October 30) against Matlock, kick off 2pm, at Kelham Road.

Coach Richard Staniforth writes:
In total 30 players have represented the team so far.
Like all teams, availability is a challenge but it is very pleasing to see a large number of committed and keen boys wanting to play. Most games have nearly had an equal split of U17s and U18s in the match-day squad and it has been really pleasing to see the two age groups gel.

This has been achieved by the hard work of lead coaches Mark Anderson and Etienne D’Ymant, who has returned to the club from South Africa, and is bringing a real southern Hemisphere flavour to the team’s play. They are ably supported by Nik Codd, Peter Bell and myself!

The team has played 4 games so far in the league, winning three and losing one, against Keyworth.
We’ve also completed the ‘double’ over Mansfield in league and the second-round of the National Colts Cup, winning 44-0 at Kelham Road.

The highlight of the season so far was the National Colts Cup first-round win against Nottingham Corsairs.
With availability issues yet again to the fore, the team travelled to Lady Bay with only a squad of 15.
The game then became even harder with the early loss of Josh Shaw after 10 minutes, meaning we had to play with 14 men for 60 minutes.

The lead changed hands several times, but the boys dug in and two tries in the final 10 minutes saw the team prevail 21-31.
A truly back-to-the-wall performance!

In the third round of the national competition (scheduled for Nov 21), we will be playing the winners of Kesteven or Keyworth at Kelham Road.
Watch out on the website for details.

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