Newbury Rugby Club Mini Festival
Sunday 17th April 2005by Phil Paul
The listing was posted by
Newbury Rugby Club Mini Festival
Sunday 17 April 2005
Team: Jack Leach (capt), James Paul, Harry Mackenzie, Harry Kemball, Alex Lord, Louis Cripps, Edward Rowell, Clark Thorley, Henry Bates, Ben Story
Match 1 Windsor V Devenport Services
Win Windsor due to no show
Match 2 Windsor 45 Petersfield 15
Tries Scored: Henry Bates 4, Jack Leach 2, James Paul 1, Harry Kemball 1, Clark Thorley 1
Match 3 Windor 25 Salisbury 5
Tries Scored: James Paul 3, Harry Kemball 1, Harry Mackenzie 1
Cup Semi Final
Windsor 10 Huddersfield 5
Tries Scored: James Paul 1, Jack Leach 1
Final
Windsor 50 Wallingford 40
Tries Scored: James Paul 3 Harry Kemball 2, Louis Cripps 1, Henry Bates 1, Ben Story 1, Jack Leach 1, Clark Thorley 1
Windsor A’s travelled to Newbury for the Mini Festival, a first time event for the boys, where they were entered into Pool 2 against Devenport, Petersfield and Salisbury. With18 different clubs and an estimated 900 participants the festival was certain to be an exciting day. The boys were focussed on keeping their unbeaten record against some unknown opposition from as far away as Huddersfield. Windsor were given a win for the first match against Devonport due to their absence and after a long 2 hour wait commenced the second Pool 2 game against Petersfield. The game started with both teams playing good quality rugby, after several minutes Windsor were ahead by two tries and by half time the boys were leading by five tries to three. The second half saw the team defending well with several key turnovers made and after a hard fought few minutes the boys started to dominate play. At the end of the second half the score of nine tries to three demonstrated the team had maintained their focus and awareness.
Match 3 against Salisbury started with an early try being scored by the opposition. After some keenly contested defensive play Windsor managed to break away to score their first try. By half time Windsor led by two tries to one and the second half commenced with some great passing by both teams. The final score of Windsor five Salisbury one showed again their skills and teamwork had prevailed.
The Cup semi-final against Huddersfield was to prove a very different scenario. The team had to dig deep to maintain any form of fluid play. The opposition were very skilled in defence and it became difficult to get the ball passed into any space. Half time was called and the teams were equal with one try apiece. The second half commenced with an early try scored by Windsor that was subsequently disallowed. After several minutes and with play moving from one team to the other due to turnovers, the team managed to run in the winning try.
The cup final against Wallingford was a great spectacle of how good quality, flowing rugby should be played. The spirit and skill in which both teams played was a pleasure to see with play moving from one end of the field to the other. After several minutes it became apparent the game was well balanced with both team capable of winning the trophy. Windsor were down by two tries early in the first half and only by shear determination the team managed to level the score half way through the first half. At half time the score was even with four tries apiece. The second half commenced at a furious pace with an early lead being taken by Windsor. Mid way through the second half it was difficult to call the result with both teams scoring tries one after another. Towards the end of the second half Windsor managed to go ahead by two tries and were able to maintain that lead until the final whistle.
Both teams received enthusiastic applause from the spectators for a very exciting and competitive game; Windsor had again maintained their unbeaten record and were presented with a well-deserved cup as the champions of the Under 8 tournament.