Epping Upper Claptn vs. Rochford Under 12s, 29 November 2009

“The rain in Spain stays mainly on the plane” – unless its in Essex – and boy did it pour. Your’s truly seemed the only brave spectator without a brolly or hood. However, given some of the rather girly brollies on show, including a rather fetching pink number sported by a one Mr Lewzey, perhaps the wet was a small price to pay for what was a very convincing Rochford effort.

Epping started with one man down and despite some strong attack play from Rochford, held off well. Indeed, as is oft the case with our U12’s we soon found ourselves a try down and some strong words of encouragement (some might say threats) from the coach were needed to restore spirits. Well it worked, and back the boys came to get a well earned equaliser right on the half time whistle.

Into the 2nd half and Rochford really gave us parents a fine display of attack rugby. Perhaps it was due to the pitch being a mud bath and it was carte blanche to just get dirty, but the forwards really got stuck in against what was a much bigger Epping pack. Great scrumaging, rucks and quick ball along with some extremely fine handling in what was atrocious conditions saw Rochford soon forge ahead in the score line.

Credit to Epping in not giving up, but our boys had the measure of them and despite some breakout attacks by a couple of their rather large props, Rochford were as good in defence as they were in attack. In the end two more tries added to the scoreboard and the end saw the team win by a convincing margin. A game to be proud of and one that even our illustrious “Greensward are rotten to me at the moment” coach can take away as proof of our boys putting into practice what they are being taught by him.

And finally...although it is highly unlikely feedback will make it to the Epping side it is only right to make mention of the Epping referee. Far too often Rochford are hampered by “near sighted” opposition refs whose sole purpose is to give their side the benefit of the doubt, and ours none which merely leads to a poor game, loss of morale amongst the Rochford boys and much shouting and cat calling from the parents (not mentioning any names but we all know the culprits don’t we Terry/Simon/Mrs H !). So to have a ref who was not only fair but, in almost every decision, right, was very welcome .

Thank you Epping for a great game and the bath at the end was, in the words of many of the lads, the best bit.