Match Report: Northampton Saints U18 64 – 51 Exeter Chiefs U18

Northampton Saints Under-18s kicked off their PREM Next Gen season with a victory over south-west rivals Exeter Chiefs.

The league champions began their title defence in some style, despite missing a large contingent of players to international call-ups and injuries, by scoring seven tries in a sizzling first-half display. A try straight from the kick-off set the tone, and Northampton went out to a 45-5 lead by half-time.

While Exeter pulled themselves back on the scoreboard in sweltering conditions during the second 40, the boys in Black, Green and Gold held firm to secure an opening-round win.

Reflecting on the result, Head Coach Charlie Reed said: “Firstly, we’ve got to acknowledge that was a very young, fresh team. 

“We had 20 debutants out of our 23-man squad. It's great to see them run out, for us as coaches to see where they're at in their development, and to be able to review that performance with them. 

“I thought we were exceptional in the first half. On both sides of the ball we asked the lads to show their intent, and show how hard they're willing to work. And I thought they delivered that in abundance. 

“In the second period, we just started to not play smart rugby, occasionally we played in the wrong areas. We’ve got to work on those things, and then defensively we’ve got to work on our efforts to go and put our bodies in front of things.

“I’m super happy with the result, but definitely we have things we need to work on.”

FIRST HALF

Woody Hamilton-Hurst’s try straight from the kick-off started off the young Saints on an attacking display that was characteristic of their DNA.

They had two more on the board by the ten-minute mark, courtesy of Hardy Linnell and Hamilton-Hurst again. 

Chiefs eventually had one back through a driving maul, but not before a barrage of Saints scores with George Tonga’uiha, Will Howes, and George Cooper all crossing the whitewash.

The pick of the bunch came from back row Reuben Williams, following a break from inside Saints’ half, to allow the hosts to take a commanding half-time lead.

SECOND HALF

Chiefs started the second period well with an excellent score following a hard line from Will Pidwell, finished off by Olly Bertie.

Saints responded with Elijah Jeyes going over twice, but from there Exeter took back full control of the game, running in five unanswered tries despite the young Saints’ best efforts.

The game was an excellent showcase of the talent on show in the PREM Next Gen league, and Saints will take confidence from the victory heading into next week’s fixture away to Gloucester.

LINE UPS

Saints U18: 15 Hardy Linnell, 14 Woody Hamilton-Hurst, 13 Will Howes, 12 Cal Tarry, 11 George Cooper, 10 Kai Fisher, 9 Jack Woods; 1 Lucas Veevers, 2 Ferdi Barnett-Vincent, 3 Noah Buxton, 4 Rafferty Hewitt, 5 George Tonga’uiha, 6 Will Hepher (c), 7 Reuben Williams, 8 Charlie Hammick.
Replacements: 16 Kingsley Gallimore, 17 Louie Dufty, 18 Ted Warner, 19 Connor Wright, 20 Ronan Perkins, 21 Caelin Chin, 22 Elijah Jeyes, 23 Matthieu Degui.

Chiefs U18: 15 Noah Driesen, 14 Archie Guyver, 13 Marley Johns, 12 Will Pidwell, 11 Troy Jackson, 10 Will Lane, 9 Ben Whysall; 1 Mawgan Talling (c), 2 Diego Lerro, 3 Josh Bratt, 4 Harry Friggens, 5 Hudson Edkins, 6 Harry Westlake, 7 Tyler Knightley, 8 Alfie Johns.
Replacements: 16 Theo McKay, 17 Louis Tout, 19 Solomon Plowman, 20 Harrison Riley, 21 Olly Bertie, 22 Ruben Chugg.

SAINTS U17 57 – 35 CHIEFS U17

Immediately following the PREM Next Gen league fixture was a friendly between Saints’ and Chiefs’ Under-17s sides.

Saints came away with a 57-35 victory, courtesy of braces from both Finn Westly and Jeremiah German, as well as tries from Charlie King, Toby Seaman, Kai Manson and James Egan.