12 young Exiles gained some time out on loan over the past weekend, with the Club’s ACE side continuing their campaign as well as involvement in international training camps.

Loan time

Three Exiles partook in a convincing win for Esher over Hull in National League 1, playing out a 34-0 victory at Molesey Road.

Starting at 6, Ben Atkins’ strong carrying and brutish approach in defence served Peter Winterbottom’s side well, Senior Academy centre Jack Walsh also starting at 13 and breaking the line with penetrative and lengthy runs.

Third year hooker Joe Vajner starred in a 30-minute cameo; making his presence felt in defence, most notably in the breakdown where he registered a jackal turnover as well as a later smart try off the lineout, as the local side secured their second win of the campaign.

Rams employed three young Irish players to secure their 11th straight win of the National League 1 season; Michael Dykes (full-back), Ollie Allan (scrum-half) and Lucas Brooke (back-row) travelling on the road to Taunton Titans.

Brooke and Dykes earned a starting place for the high-flying side, the former busying himself in defence as well as winning a jackal turnover whilst Dykes maximised his opportunities in another starring performance.

The 20-year-old scored two tries whilst evading defenders in another confident display, Allan coming off the bench with a strong showing off the ball as Rams won 27-24.

In Irish’s final involvement at National League 1 level this past weekend, Monty Bradbury renewed his connection with Rosslyn Park as the second-year fly-half played out a tough match in unfavourable conditions down south.

Park travelled to Plymouth Albion for their 11th match of the campaign, Bradbury contributing five of his side’s ten points with a notable touchline conversion to Harry Ledger’s try.

It wasn’t to be for Bradbury that afternoon, playing out 60 minutes for the team but eventually losing out 13-10 in another tight affair as Park sit fourth in the league standings.

National League 2 side Barnes started George Makepeace-Cubitt in their home matchup with Bury St. Edmunds, solidifying their third place sitting with a 32-14 win.

The full-back on the day kicked 12 points for the Londoners, a prolific performance from the youngster for the eighth win of the campaign.

Oran Murphy (prop), Afolabi Fasogbon (prop) and Oliver Stirling (back-row) played for Esher Cardinals (second team) in their rout of Richmond Saxons, winning 57-12 in the HALBRO Raging Bull Shield Division 1.

Murphy and Fasogbon made their physicality known in their carrying and at the set-piece, with Stirling scoring also.

Conor Cross scored a try from the wing in his 80 minutes of rugby for Henley 2’s, who lost out 21-15 at home to Wimbledon 2’s.

ACE

London Irish's ACE school, Bishop Wand, defeated Stourport College (Worcester ACE) last Wednesday (23rd) by a scoreline of 24-21 away from home.

Tries from Martin Betsen (centre) and Brandon Vince (three, prop) with Louie Heard (fly-half) converting two efforts.

The result confirmed Bishop Wand's second-place finish in the second phase group, meaning they are in the 3/4th place play off next Wednesday 7th December vs Gosforth (Newcastle ACE) at Cheltenham Tigers RFC, 2.30pm KO.

International camp

In the under-20s national set-up, Afolabi Fasogbon (prop), Calum Scott (hooker), Ollie Allan (scrum-half) and Monty Bradbury (fly-half) all received their first inclusion in the age-grade to link up with Alan Dickens’ squad.

Second-year player Chandler Cunningham-South (back-row) will join new inductees Afolabi Fasogbon (prop), Calum Scott (hooker), Ollie Allan (scrum-half) and Monty Bradbury (fly-half) in the England under-20s set-up this week. 

The latter four's first inclusion in the under-20 age grade with Alan Dickens begins today (29th) at Bisham Abbey and continues to Wednesday 30th.

Well-earned, boys!

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