Upminster vs. Rochford U10, Upminster Festival, 27 March 2011

First match on saw Rochford playing the hosts Upminster. This was our third meeting of the season with Upminster winning the match at the early season ‘A’ Festival and spoils being shared in our meeting in February with each team winning one match.

The referee began by explaining to both sides that he expected props to bind on properly in the scrum and for the ball to be put in straight. Where was he during the Six Nations? It was good to hear a referee expecting fair play in the scrum even when the kids watch the professionals throwing the ball straight to their second row.

The first half was a hard fought but even affair. Corey Lazell, Harry Bennett and Tyler Scott dominated the scrum for Rochford and Amber Popham controlling the set pieces at scrum-half, however, it was Upminster who edged the territory. A mazy run from Upminster finally got past the combined efforts of James Berry and James Mowle at centre and Christopher Martin at full-back to score the only try of the game.

Tyler and Corey also began to dominate the line outs providing good distribution. Upminster’s inability to throw the ball in straight began to play into our hands with the referee offering the choice of retake by Upminster or a scrum to Rochford. It was a simple choice for Corey as captain; we took the scrum and won the ball back.

The second half played almost entirely in the Upminster half but Rochford seemed unable to create that gap that may have provided a half chance. With Rochford applying unrelenting pressure, a break down the right wing by Jack Chandler saw him driven over the touchline five metres from the try line. As the referee organised the line out he called “last play” and Upminster again failed to throw the ball in straight. The referee blew the full time whistle and Rochford were denied the chance to equalise from a scrum.

Given our domination in the scrum I have no doubt that we would have won the ball and had an excellent chance to equalise. Although there was a feeling of “what if?” the referee applied the laws of the game to the letter and should be applauded for it.

Final Score: Upminster 5 Rochford 0.