Under 10s Reach Kent Finals
The highlight of the mini rugby calender was upon us, so off the TJ Blues went to Westcombe Park for the preliminary stages of the Kent U10's Festival, the first step, we hoped, in the Blues defending their title of Kent champions. It proved to be a day of extremes, nerve jangling tension and great excitement.
We were drawn in the proverbial "group of death", up against local rivals Tunbridge Wells, the hosts Westcombe Park and old sparring partners Old Elthamians.
First up were Westcombe Park, who we had soundly beaten a few weeks previously. Whether it was over confidence, excessive bacon rolls or just our usual lethargic start to festivals, but we were poor in this game. We seemed to completely forget the open style of running passing rugby and instead got involved in what coach Simmonds would call "a bun fight", and as a consequence had very little meaningful possession. We were 1 - 0 up at half time thanks to a customary jinking run from Will Webb, and then shortly after the break, and some stern words from coach, he added a second. Expecting the boys to kick on and dominate they invited Westcombe Park on to them, not securing enough possession and then disappoiningly conceded a try at the end. We all hoped that this had blown the cob-webs away and that the lads would switch on and play. 2 - 1 to TJs
We were back on again immediately to play what we believed to be the crucial game in the group, Old Elthamians. OEs have some of the biggest forwards in mini rugby, I put it down to the over abundance of McDonalds in South London! Traditionally our games are close, but not on this occassion. The kind words(!) from coach Simmonds seemed to have hit home, and the boys came out firing on all cylinders. Fast to the break down, re-cycling the ball to produce some excellent back play. By half time the Webb try machine had notched up another brace with Bradley touching down aswell. The OEs changed personnel removing (I kid you not) "Thunder Pants" and introducing a more svelte team-mate. We definitely took our foot off the gas, threathening their try line occassionally but never looking like conceding ourselves. So it ended 3 - 0 to TJs. A confidence boosting comfortable win against one of the better teams in the county.
Next came the highlight of the day for many of us, coach Simmonds was transformed into ref Simmonds. We made ourselves comfortable for some real entertainment, and looked forward to some freestyle reffing, and YMCA inspired referreeing gestures, but to no avail ref Simmonds did a super job and didn't once swear at any dissenting onlooker!
Last but not least it was local rivals Tunbridge Wells. We were now in full flow, our set piece moves were working a treat and the inter-play was just too slick for Wells. Five nil up at half time, a hat-trick for Will, one each for Tom and Ben. The second half came with us pushing for a quick 6 - 0 shut out but it wasn't until the end of the second period that Harvey eventually secured the 6th try. This after twice dropping the ball over the line when trying to touch down and once mistaking the dead ball line for the try line D'oh! 6 - 0 to TJs.
With the group stage now out of the way there was an inevitable lull before the 1/4 final date with the winners of Group H, our old nemisis Old Alleynians. Our scouts had reported an outstanding team of hard tacklers and quick runners who were very well drilled.
Coach Simmonds fired up the troops, and so to battle, the winner through to finals day, the loser having a week off. Your roving reporter must say that having watched countless mini rugby matches that this was the best yet by a considerable margin. Two extremely well matched, committed and passionate teams (and supporters!) The OAs used a rush defence that meant there was little if any space for us to play our game, we were knocked back in the tackle too often and conceded territory. Mid way through the first half a sniping run from OAs got them a well desrved opener. There was no dropping of heads however, and shortly before halftime Will glided over to square things up. The second half began to see the tide turn, we were winning more ball, penetrating their line more effectively and only occassionally conceding territory. Near to the end of regulation time, we were awarded a penalty and after a number of phases Bradley smashed into the OAs camped out on their try line, but to their credit he was held up and driven back. 1 - 1 at full time, and we all paused for breath and coach Simmonds sucked heartily on his Rothmans - oh the tension!
We were now into to potentially two periods of sudden death extra time. We threatened the OAs line on a number of occassions but just couldn't break through, or we knocked on or made a forward pass, they threatened also, but were snuffed out by some fantastic cover tackling, one from Will and Andrew on their flying wing particularly sticks in the mind. By now there were a number of walking wounded Louie and Rob both feeling the effects of the battle, the OAs body count however was like something from Helmand Province! The first period came and went, and with only a minute of the second period remaining, Will at last found some space out wide on the left wing, after-burners on, he was away, and despite a Ron "Chopper" Harris attempted slide tackle from the last man he was over - TRY!! The crowd went wild, well the TJs did anyway. TJs win 2 -1, what a game.
The boys were immense, particularly in the OAs game, they should be so proud of themselves, well done to everyone.
So the U10s, complete with resplendent new shirts will be at The Slade to defend their title.
