U13s Cup Final win Match report

Today was the day of our cup final and we arrived early at our hosts’ ground and were delighted to be playing on the first team pitch, in front of clubhouse with the impressive panoramic view. However, we were surprised to find some sand on the pitch.

After a relaxed warm up, Captain Luca won the toss and elected to kick off and it was immediately apparent that both teams were intent on victory as no quarter was being given in the tackles. However, after Kieran caught a Woodford kick and fed Luke P who in turn passed to Harri, who then played in Luca to score. This soon became 10-0 after Johnny Douglas, and Christian worked together to attack the line and even though Woodford stole the ball, only for Max to rip the ball back and score. Woodford kept probing the Rochford defence but were unable to break though, as the team were working tirelessly together.

Rochford were soon on the scoresheet again after good runs from Harri and Luke P set up Max to evade the Woodford defence, courtesy of some fancy footwork, and he then added completed his personal hat-trick when he charged down a Woodford kick to make the score 20-0. Woodford came back strongly and only some good defence on our own try line prevented Woodford getting off the mark. Particular mention to the forward line of Connor, George and Luke C for providing a strong spine in defence and in the scrums, ably supported by Oakley, Christian and Luca. Unfortunately after sterling work in a new position, during a Rochford break Ben West injured his leg and was unable to play any further part in the game. After play restarted, the first half scoring was completed after an impressive carry from Luke P where he ran two thirds of the field before passing to Harri to score in the corner.

At half time it became evident that Johnny Douglas had cut his eye, so had to sit out for a while.

Woodford started the half strongly and soon reduced the deficit to 20 points, but from the resulting kick off Luca stole the ball to allow Harri to score his second try. Woodford came back again and managed to run through the Rochford line after a quickly taken penalty to make the score 30-10. Rochford drove up the field and camped on the Woodford try line, but were just unable to touch the ball down. A tense period followed and there was a feeling that the next try would determine the result, and pleasingly it was Rochford who struck next after Kieran returned another Woodford kick before passing to Luke P who, after making good ground passed to Jack on the wing and he scored in the corner. The score was now 35-10 and despite good pressure from Woodford, Rochford were starting to feel confident of holding on, and our position was strengthened after a good scrum and Johnny O’Brien setting up Christian on the blind side to power through. Woodford did respond through a clever piece of work on the wing, but Rochford completed the scoring with what was probably the try of the match of the match, where Kieran, Christian, Luca and Max combined across the pitch, before Jack sped through to score.

The match was undoubtedly closer than the score suggests, but the clinical finishing of Rochford was the main difference between the sides. The game was played in an excellent spirit and would like to note the piece of sportsmanship whereby Luca gave the ball to Woodford, when the referee was unsure if the Rochford kick had brushed a Woodford players leg. Our thanks go to Woodford for hosting the final and for providing a meal for the boys and what was obviously a very busy day for the club. Unfortunately, it was not possible to present the trophy on the day but this will be given at the end of season presentation lunch.

Great credit must go to not just the Rochford boys who played the game, but to the whole squad who have been fantastic throughout the year. They have been a credit to the club in the way they have conducted themselves all year and integrated with the many new additions to the squad this season.

Final Score Woodford 15 – Rochford 45

Tries

Max (3),Harri & Jack (2), Luca and Christian (1)