Romford & Gidea Park vs. Rochford U9s, 15th November 2009

Rochford tackling was even more impressive (with Dominic, the smallest player on the pitch, doing a couple of textbook tackles on the largest of the Romford players) but Romford continued to win ball in the rucks, putting us under pressure from which tries were inevitably conceded.

Rochford again had plenty of chances to score, but were being repulsed by Romford's own tackling, ripping of the ball, and support at the rucks. Another excellent try from Chris Hastings in the first half kept the score respectable at 4-1, and then more of the same in the second half. In the last couple of minutes, despite being 8-1 down, Rochford were still playing rugby and looking to score, and actually starting to compete more at the rucks. A great period of play, started by a great run from Corey Lazell, going through about 4 phases, and then finished off by Corey Lazell from a maul which we pushed over the Romford line, meant that we got a late consolation try to make the score 2-8, as in the first game.

Overall, the boys played really well in both games, but there is no shame in being beaten by a better side, especially when all of them gave their all in both games. One of the Romford coaches remarked after the game that it was the toughest tackling his side had faced in the season so far. For us, they were the best organised side we have faced. Training will need to focus on improving our own rucking to the standard set by Romford.