Rochford’s U10’s took part in the Essex Festival on Sunday, on what turned out to be a very long hot day. Despite being drawn in a tough group, in particular with Thurrock and Upminster who contested last year’s final, Rochford put in some fantastic performances and played some really amazing and skilful rugby.

First up was Thurrock. Being the host club and last year’s runners-up, it was always going to be a tough opening game. Both teams came out with strong defences but it was Rochford who would break through first. The teams’ lines continued to keep each other at bay but eventually Rochford’s pressure and off-loading game unlocked the Thurrock defence, to make it 2-0 going into the second half.

The second half followed a similar pattern with both defences holding firm; it was Rochford who found a way to break the Thurrock line and get over for our third. As the game was nearing its conclusion, Thurrock put together a lovely move of their own to get over for a late try. 3-1 to Rochford.

Next up were Bancroft, who were a late entry into our group and very much an unknown entity. Rochford ramped it up a gear in this game and put Bancroft under immense pressure right from the off. Forcing them into making handling errors which Rochford pounced on, to turn defence into attack on numerous occasions. Oli put in a monumental effort in the first half, running the full length to score, and then moments later, running the full length again to make a try saving tackle. To give Bancroft the credit they deserved, they held on and Rochford went in at half time 2-0.

Rochford came out in the second half in a ruthless mood and really piled on the pressure. With some great team play, Rochford were positioning players into space all over the field, allowing them to score 4 further tries in the process. Bancroft kept their heads up and nicked a try of their own with a good piece of invidual skill from one of their players. 6-1 to Rochford.

Billericay were our next opponents. Again, Rochford did not give our opponents time to breathe, putting in big tackles and following up with some great rucking. It was in this game that Rochford began to let our creative side show; particularly noteworthy was a switch move, perfectly executed by Jack and Ella, which completely threw the Billericay defence and led to a great team try. Half time score 4-0 to Rochford.

In the second half Billericay tried to stem the flow but Rochford’s handling ability to find people in space was overwhelming. Alfie benefitted particularly well in this game, with his electric pace being given the opportunity to get on the outside of defenders. In this game, I witnessed some of the best rugby I have seen from any team in our age group this season and the score line reflected that. 7-0 to Rochford.

After what seemed like an eternity of waiting, Rochford were back on, this time against South Woodham. Any concerns that they had switched-off during the break were quickly dismissed as Grace romped over for a try against her former team. It was again Rochford’s line speed that caused SWF problems. We gave our opponents no time on the ball, causing them to make mistakes which we then turned into attacking pressure. Yet again, our handling was superb, making us very difficult to defend against. Half time score 4-0.

Rochford continued to heap on the pressure in the second half and it wasn’t long before Thomas, after make some great try saving tackles, got on the end of a lovely team move and used his blistering pace to score a well-deserved try. Our opponents did not make this game easy for us. We had to work for every try but our hard work paid-off. Final score 7-0 to Rochford.

Our penultimate game was against Chelmsford, another team who had been performing well throughout the day. Due to the backlog of matches, we were moved to the U11’s pitches, which are significantly bigger than what we are used to. Rochford didn’t let this interfere with our game and carried on in the manner we had all day, continuing to work hard for each other to win the ball. Chelmsford were a good side and put up a strong defensive effort but it was Rochford who struck first, in this tightly contested game. At half time the score was 2-0 in Rochford’s favour.

Second half was a very even contest with both sides defending well. Rochford scored a further 2 tries, to put them 4-0 up. Chelmsford rallied and scored a try back of their own. As we entered the last few seconds, Chelmsford again, broke our line with a clever move. Jack chased back to make what looked like a try saving tackle, a metre from the line, only for the try to be awarded. Ultimately, it had no bearing on the overall result, with Rochford coming through a tough encounter. 4-2 to Rochford.

Our last game was against Upminster, last season’s champions and there was very little time after the Chelmsford game before we were back on. Upminster had looked dangerous all day, playing a very similar style of Rugby to us. At U10’s, there are no finals – but both teams were coming into this game undefeated, so it had feeling of a final about it. We had played Upminster in last year’s festival and came away with a couple of injuries, which may have been playing on our minds and you could certainly feel the nerves, even before the first whistle.

As the game started, we were holding back a fair bit and our line speed, which has been the signature of our season, was not quite there. This gave Upminster the opportunity to make quick decisions on the ball. Despite some great tackles going in from Rochford, Upminster eventually broke us down. Rochford continued to fight but Upminster’s confidence had grown and we started to make unforced errors. Half time Score 4-0 Upminster.

The second half got underway and Upminster continued to press Rochford. I have to say what happened in this half made me just as proud as anything that had happened earlier in the day. We rallied together as a team and kept putting in big tackle after big tackle. Unfortunately, Upminster scored a further 2 tries but we made them work for it. Each and every player came off at full-time having given everything they had. Final score 6-0 Upminster.

The Essex Festival is the culmination of the Minis season and an opportunity to put in to action all the skills and knowledge they have learnt over the year. They entered the festival last season and didn’t win a single game. This year they lost just one, to a very good team. That is testament to the hard work and dedication shown by all our players this season. Each and every time they have stepped out on the pitch, they have given their all and, as a coach, I could not ask for more.

It is an absolute privilege to be involved with this team and if this is what we have achieved in one season, I am truly excited for comes next. The last result didn’t go our way but the kids should all be massively proud of what they have achieved, not only at the Essex festival, but throughout the whole season.