Casaleiro inspires West to victory

Amaru Casaleiro inspired West Norfolk U14s to an emphatic six-try, 36-5 win over Norwich to reach the Harry Fuller Trophy Final.Despite the gentle warmth of the April sunshine, a biting north-easterly breeze swept across Beeston Hyrne. Though not even the presence of Eurus would deny an invigorated and dynamic West Norfolk.West Norfolk stunned Norwich with their intensity and determination, recovering the kick-off and moving the ball with customary speed, precision and accuracy. Sam McKenzie joined the attack with exceptional timing to glide over to score in the corner for an early 0-5 lead.West Norfolk continued to pose questions of Norwich, with Harry Hollands running rampant, taking play inside Norwich territory. Casaleiro showed his electrifying pace to score his first try in the corner to extend the lead.Norwich fought hard but West Norfolk are a formidable defensive unit. They turned defence into attack with seamless precision, finding Casaleiro, who showed his pace and evasion touching down under the posts. Christopher Maule added the conversion. Aggressive line speed, dominant tackling and incredible work rate at the breakdown repelled Norwich. Formidable ball carrying from man of the match, Jack Skinner, broke the Norwich defence with Casaleiro showing his flair, potency and positioning to score and complete a stunning first-half hat trick. Maule added the conversion to give West Norfolk a 0-24 lead after a magnificent first-half performance.The second half began with an uncharacteristic error from West Norfolk, gifting the home side the opening try of the half.From the restart West Norfolk were a cohesive unit, closing down spaces, managing the clock, and neutralizing Norwich. Skinner took his opportunity to bulldoze across the Norwich try line. Casaleiro, oozing confidence and with the breath of Zephyrus on his back, danced over the try line for his fourth try. The conversion sealed a dominant 5-36 win. West Norfolk will face Wymondham in the final.Head coach, Andy Barrett, said “I’m hugely proud of the team, they stuck to our game plan and stood up to the physicality of Norwich. I couldn’t have asked anything more of them.”West Norfolk: Rhys Allerton, Logan Barrett, Joseph Bowen, Amaru Casaleiro, Anthony Collings, Freddie Dickson, Jac Fox, Edward Frost, Charles Green, Jacob Hancock, Harry Hollands, Caidan Hopkins, Samuel McKenzie, Finley Mallett, Christopher Maule, Fletcher Milnes, Patrick Oughton-Tooke, Oscar Ratcliffe, Rowan Ryder, Jack Skinner, Felix Slingsby, Thomas Soar and Oliver Stevenson.Got a sports story? Email greg.plummer@iliffepublishing.co.uk