Worthing RFC Mini Festival A Team
24th April 2004by Phil Paul
The listing was posted by
Worthing RFC Mini Festival 2004
Under 7 A Team
Sunday 24th April
Team: James Paul (Capt), Jack Leach, Toby Clark, Clark Thorley, Harry Kemball, Ben Story, Harry Mackenzie, Jamie Hayes-Brown, Henry Bates, Sam Trowbridge
Match 1 Windsor 5 Old Elthamians 1
Tries Scored: James Paul 2, Jack Leach 1 Sam Trowbridge 2
Match 2 Windsor 5 Worthing Stingrays 0
Tries Scored: James Paul 1, Jack Leach 1, Henry Bates 1, Sam Trowbridge 1, Clark Thorley 1
Quarter Final Windsor 6 Brighton 4
Tries Scored: James Paul 2, Jack Leach 1, Toby Clark 1, Clark Thorley 2, Harry Kemball 1
Semi Final Windsor 4 Beccehamians 5
Tries Scored: James Paul 2, Clark Thorley 2
Windsor Under 7’s travelled to Worthing with the A and B teams for the Worthing Mini Festival which was to be the final match of a very successful year. Both teams had high hopes of performing well in the tournament after the great achievements of previous matches.
The A team were well aware after some extensive team talks the importance of an early and positive first match. The boys started well against Old Elthamians and at the end of the first half were ahead by three tries to zero. Good passing on a large pitch ensured the team were able to run in another two tries to end the game ahead by five tries to one.
The second game against Worthing Stingrays saw the team continue to pass the ball and to perform well defensively ensuring the opposition was pinned firmly in their own half. The match concluded with a convincing win by Windsor ahead by five tries to zero.
After a 90 minute wait while the other pools concluded their fixtures the quarter final commenced with Windsor facing Brighton for a place in the semi final. The match started favourably with Windsor passing the ball well but after some defensive errors, where Brighton managed to expose our flanks by scoring two tries, the half time score of Windsor four Brighton four reminded the team they had a close game on their hands. The second half started with an early try and after some closely contested play with some great tagging the team managed to win the game by six tries to four.
The semi final against Beccehamians saw the team trying to continue the fluid passing and running of the previous games. The boys played with consistency and never allowed the opposition any real chances but both teams were well matched and at the end of the first half the score was level with three tries apiece. The second half was played with real vigour and passion, both sides had chances that they capitalised on and at the end of the game the teams were level at four tries each. Extra time started with the golden try rule applying meaning the first team to score was the winner. Windsor started well by scoring first but the try was disallowed due to the player colliding with the touch flag.
Play was restarted and after some closely contested tagging Beccehamians wrong footed our defence and ran in the winning try.
The boys were clearly very disappointed at having not reached the final but should be very proud of themselves for putting up a great fight which was played with real commitment and fervour. The team should reflect on the season’s achievements and remember their first year together with pride.
Thanks again to Adrian and his team of coaches without which the Under 7’s would clearly not have achieved the successes they have. We look forward to next year when the boys will be moving up to the Under 8’s and the six tag rule which should make very interesting mini rugby.