Falcons U16s lose out to Scotland U16
As Scotland prepare for the International Festival at Wellington College in April, Newcastle Falcons youngsters were looking to showcase some of the regions talented players.
The Falcons were without several players including Michael Newstead (Austin Friars School, Carlisle RFC, Cumbria), Ryan Allen and Tristan Grant (both Durham School, Durham City RFC, Durham), Alex Hayton (Cramlington Learning Village, Novocastrians RFC, Northumberland), Isaac Brace (Barnard Castle School, Billingham RFC, Durham) and Ikenna Obonna (RGS Newcastle, Northern RFC, Northumberland) who are all away on representative duties themselves this weekend with the North of England and in the end the Falcons were on the wrong side of a 54-7 scoreline.
Academy Manager Mark Laycock said: “Despite the scoreline we were really pleased with the way the lads fronted up and competed from the first to the final whistle. We felt that the problems we faced on the day are all very easily fixed at training so there were a lot more positives than negatives to take from the game.
“We were without a number of players due to representative call ups which game some of the counties best players the opportunity to hold their hands up for potential inclusion in the Academy. Players like Drew Davison and Fraser McNee were outstanding in defence and as a team the boys really showed a huge amount of character, which ultimately led to our try from Jack Johnson mid way through the second half.”
**Newcastle Falcons Under 16s**
1 Alistair Blackett (RGS Newcastle, Morpeth RFC, Northumberland)
2 David Whittle (QEGS Penrith, Penrith RFC, Cumbria)
3 Tom Tully (Gosforth Academy, Novocastrians RFC, Northumberland)
4 Jack Johnson (St Robert of Newminster School, Gateshead RFC, Durham)
5 Ben Walton (St Johns School, Durham City RFC, Durham)
6 Drew Davidson (Charles Thorpe School, Blaydon RFC, Durham)
7 Fraser McNee (St Bees School, Egremont RFC, Cumbria)
8 Josh Gray (St Johns School, Durham City RFC, Durham)
9 Alex Pantechis (c) (Kirkbie Kendal School, Penrith RFC, Cumbria)
10 Charlie Wilson RGS Newcastle, Northumberland)
11 Liam King (Outwood Academy, Billingham RFC, Durham)
12 Josh Watson (Cockermouth School, Carlisle RFC, Cumbria)
13 Seb Reece (Kings Priory School, Percy Park RFC, Northumberland)
14 Benji Platt (Ulverston High School, Hawcoate Park RFC, Cumbria)
15 Joe Pickering (Barnard Castle School, Durham City RFC, Durham)
16 Tom Marshall (Bede Academy, Blyth RFC, Northumberland)
17 Jamie Adamson (Barnard Castle School, Durham City RFC, Durham)
18 Joe Johnton (QE Hexham School, Tynedale RFC, Northumberland)
19 Cameron Kelemeti (Durham School, Malton RFC, Durham)
20 Zak Day (Barnard Castle School, Durham)
21 Jon Clouston (Barnard Castle School, Durham)
