Wanstead vs. Rochford Under 11s, 2nd October 2011

Its not easy playing a 12 a-side game with 8 players but Thurrock were good enough to lend us some players for our first match against Wanstead.

Having lost our entire front row to various family commitments, it was left to James Mowle, Spencer Crowhurst and Christopher Martin to step up against and dominate a physically bigger Wanstead scrum. Liam Baker, making his debut, was given the difficult job of fly-half, Nicholas Campen took his usual place at full-back, Jack Chandler on the wing and Brandon Smith in the centre.

Matches with Wanstead have always been tight and this proved to be no different. Rochford held the upper hand from early on but failed to make the break through. Eventually, after a couple of midfield rucks the ball made its way to Nicholas Campen who avoided a couple of tackles and sprinted for the line and touched down, leaving Wanstead players in his wake.

Now for the difficult part. Toby Flood may make it look easy but kicking the ball over that high cross-bar when you are 10 is a real challenge. Up stepped Liam Baker on his debut and, with an accuracy that suggested he’d done this before, put the ball directly between the posts some distance over the bar.

The second half began as the first ended with both teams failing to break through but with Rochford having the upper hand. Eventually, a couple of missed tackles saw Wanstead move deep into Rochford territory. With Rochford players taking up their usual position directly behind a ruck, Wanstead moved the ball out wide and touched down to score.

With the conversion missed, Rochford ran out 7-5 winners. We had emphasised the importance of kicking conversions to the team and their first win of the season hinged on the quality of the kicking. At least they now know we weren't talking out of the top of our heads.