Chiefs at Camberley Tournament
14th October 2007by Mark Berry
The listing was posted by Windsor RFC - Juniors - u13s - Season 09/10
CHIEFS FIGHT THROUGH TO SEMI-FINALS AT CAMBERLEY
By Mark Berry
14.10.07 CAMBERLEY FESTIVAL:
Windsor Chiefs achieved great success when they competed in the Camberley "B" Festival and worked their way through to the semi-finals.
That is a highly creditable result in any circumstance. Even more so when it is remembered that this team includes a number of new players for whom Camberley was their very first Festival of rugby!
The main aim of the day was for new players such as these to enjoy themselves: to clock up some match time and relish the competitive atmosphere that prevails when a number of rival clubs are pitched against one another with shields, plates and medals at stake.
As the team took to the pitch for their first game, it swiftly became became clear they would do all that and more. They produced an amazingly mature and seasoned performance against hosts Camberley, with some hard-hitting tackles, and good defensive work.There was a highly confident debut as place-kicker from Ben Tidey coupled with Albert Wright scoring a great try on his first appearance for the Chiefs.
The second game was distinguished by Chiefs’ sheer gutsiness. Despite being 10-0 down against Effingham and Leatherhead at the end of the first half, the boys refused to be beaten. They came out fighting at the start of the second half and swiftly claimed a score of their own. Like every Chiefs’ try in this Festival, it was successfully converted. The boys then made great efforts to build up an attacking momentum, notably with some good ball-carrying and driving from new Prop Ben Walkington. Sadly, it wasn’t enough on the day to stop Effingham running in one more try of their own to seal the win. Chiefs 7, Effingham and Leatherhead 15.
Despite losing this game, the competitive situation meant that Chiefs had earned a place in the semi-Finals.
The likelihood of encountering some very competent and determined opposition along the way had always been expected and , indeed, anticipated as a positive spur for the boys’ development as a team.
It duly arrived in the shape of a strong side from Sutton and Epsom which quickly and consistenly knotched up a tally of points. Chiefs conceded penalties as pressure forced errors, but they never stopped working hard for one another and did well in getting over the goal line once with lineout ball. Sadly, the attempt was disallowed owing to an apparent knock-on and the game was to end at Chiefs 0, Sutton and Epsom 35.
It may have been an unflattering scoreline on which to end the day but the boys certainly had no reason to feel downhearted after the passion and commitment which they had put into this game.
After all, even at International level, teams can lose by 30-plus points one week before going on to achieve stunning victories just a few games later, can’t they?
Well done to all the boys and many thanks for all the help and support from the attending parents.
SQUAD
Will Bartlett [capt. Backs]
Connor ("Coggsy") Baumann
Tom ("Tominator") Berry [capt. Forwards]
James Crocker
Gregory Earnshaw-Snow
Will ("Willy") Hardy
Ned ("Neddy") Lunnon-Wood
Oliver Mason
Jamie Ostrer
Jack Quinlin
Ben Tidey
Ben Walkington
Albert Wright