News

Accies victory is just what the Dr ordered.

April 8^th, 2024.

The Welsh Academicals senior XV rounded off their 23/24 season in style on Saturday 6^th April with an expressive but hard-earned victory against a committed and determined United Hospitals XV.   The United Hospitals XV which includes representatives from each of the five medical schools in London are a long-standing friend of the Accies and thanks to the players and representatives for their considerable efforts in travelling to Cardiff for fixture and ensuring that friendly hostilities were renewed in the right spirit after a long hiatus.

The match took place at the home of the recently crowned National Division 3 Cup winners Cardiff Quins RFC and thanks to them for hosting us at short notice and the excellent welcome and hospitality they showed. The match was expertly refereed by Accies Committee member Dr Neil Hennesey who displayed the impartiality, game management and athleticism one would expect from an elite World Rugby referee. Supporting Dr Hennesey were the young Evans twins (Tobi and Harri) who each took a half as the Accies assigned linesman for the game and displayed both a meticulous understanding of the rules of the rugby football and a willingness to hold the Accies Head Coach to account for any misplaced comment or challenge.

As the game kicked off it was the United Hospitals backline who showed an early willingness to spread the ball and play out of their own half but made heavy going of the conditions and the Accies were able to retain possession and made ground with the referee showing a wiliness to let the game flow in what was an error strewn first 10 minutes.   On the 15-minute mark it was the United Hospitals that were awarded the first substantial penalty of the game and opted for a rare kick at the posts towards the Taff End of the Ground which subsequently went wide.

It was the endeavour of the United Hospitals XV that provided their undoing and Frankie Souto (UWE) was the first to capitalise with a well taken try on the 20-minute mark converted by his UWE teammate Jack Perkins. 7-0 to the Accies. It was the first try which proved to be the catalyst for an incisive break by outside centre Gabriel Knight (Cardiff Meds) who floated a glorious pass to scrum half Toby Thomas (USW) who crossed under the posts with Perkins again added the extras for a 14-0 lead. Any Accies supporters who felt that the floodgates would open at this point had their hopes dented by the herculean efforts of the diminutive United Hospitals Hooker who carried the ball with energy and paved the way for the United Hospitals Second Row to power over for a try which was subsequently converted making the score 7-14. 

The game restarted with a deep kick off by  the Accies and who then subsequently regained possession and the upper hand with a powerful drive by Osian Jones (Cardiff Meds). The drive was continued by the powerful Souto who showed deft handling skills to put openside flanker Will Price ( Birmingham Uni) over for  the Accies 3^rd Try which was again converted by the reliable Jack Perkins to give the Accies a 21-7 lead at the break.

Changes were made to both teams during the interval and inevitably this impacted on the flow of the game, and it again required the excellent Frankie Souto to inject some life into the game with a another well taken try following excellent interplay with Rob Muirhead (Bangor Uni). This score took the Accies to a 28-7 lead and into the ascendancy with another try thereafter by Gruff Shewring which was subsequently converted taking the Access to 35-7 lead. As expected, the United Hospitals XV commitment and tenacity never waivered and they finished the game with a well taken try by their outside centre which was subsequently converted taking the score 35-14 where it subsequently remained as the games final score. 

This was an excellent fixture played in the right spirt with Frankie Souto being named the Welsh Accies man of the match and the United Hospitals hooker deservedly being named United Hospitals Man of the match by the Accies Vice Chair Tim Lowe. Tim in his after match address  thanked the United Hospitals for their commitment in traveling to Cardiff for the game and the spirt in which they entered the game and thanked all of the Accies Squad for their support, commitment and performance. Pleasingly there were 10 debutants in the Accies Squad all of whom received the prestigious Welsh Accies Club Tie.  Thanks also to renowned local Surgeon  Mr David Shewring for providing medical cover and support for the game.

Welsh Academicals RFC Squad v United Hospitals RFC

Backs 

Jack Perrins (UWE), Archie Jenkins( Cardiff Meds), Gruff Shewring( Cardiff Meds), Gabriel Knight( Cardiff Meds), Archie Gurling (Cardiff Meds), Rob Muirhead( Bangor Uni), McKenzie Gray( Bridgend Athletic), Toby Thomas ( USW), Gruff Rees( Cardiff Meds) 

Forwards 

Jaden Ephgrave ( Cardiff Met), Ollie Jenkins ( Cardiff Meds),Morgan Slinger( Bangor Uni), Archie Trevethan( Seaford College), Harry Davies ( Cardiff Meds), Osian Jones ( Cardiff Meds), Will Price (Birmingham Uni),Luke Fleming-Jones ( Cardiff Meds),Frankie Souto( UWE), Owen Jenkins ( llanhishen), Ethan Williams,( Pentyrch/ UWTSD)