Southend vs. Rochford U10s, 13th November 2011

Henry took the captains duties for this match. As the rest of the team lined up a comment from one of the Southend crowd was “it’s like playing a mini All Blacks”.

We kick off and as Louis pop the ball up to Ben he went on a thundering run right to the heart of the Southend team. This was to set the tone for the rest of the match. As the ruck formed Haidyn & Charlie came in setting a lovely ball for Louis to whip out a pass to Henry who made good ground, well supported from Dom. The first scrum of the game came and it was a Southend put in but with a good push we won this against the head. Ricky eventually received the ball and darted for the line only to be brought down. We were playing at a fantastic pace and only now were Southend beginning to put anything together. They started to have a few runs but all their efforts were stopped by some great defending, with Lol,Dom, Blake & Ricky all putting in some great tackles. The game went on and we started to apply more pressure back onto the Southend line. All of our rucking training was paying off, Charlie; Ben & Haidyn were as solid as a rock. Southend had a scrum which again we won against the head, as it started to collapse Henry came away with the ball and darted for the line and no one was going to catch him. He crossed the line with the opening try for Rochford. As the match restarted we applied more pressure to the Southend team but couldn’t find a way through. Southend won a penalty close to our line and found a gap on the blind side to run in a try. As the match restarted the ball went loose but some great rucking from Blake & Charlie ensured that we didn’t lose the ball.

The time was close to 11am and as this was Remembrance Sunday all stopped for 2mins silence. This was impeachable observed by all.
The game carried on for a few more minutes until it was the end of the first 15min sections. (We were to play 3 fifteen minutes)
The second section began and we had lost none of the bite we had all the way through the first section. Our rucking was still strong from the team and then a real forwards master class. Ben picked up a loose ball and pumped those legs, taking three Southend players to stop him, he managed to off load to Haidyn who then quickly passed off to Charlie who was just held before the line until sheer grit and determination carried him over the line for a fantastic try. After the restart we still had lots of the ball. After a good scrum the ball was passed out to Grace who ran well down the line until she was tackled out of play. Although it was a Southend line out we still won the ball, Henry was there to pick up the pieces and again put in a good run, well supported by Louis. The play was close to the Southend try line and again our great rucking presented the ball well to Louis who picked and rushed over the line the score our third try. Southend attacked from the restart but were stopped in their tracks by a great tackle from Haidyn.

Then Southend decided to change their whole team. This was the ‘A’ team. This threw us out of our stride a bit and the fresh legs of a complete new team soon took its toll. For the rest of the half we defended well but Southend ran in three tries. The second section ended.

As the third section started we were still rucking well and tackled were we could. We put up a lot more resistance in this section restricting Southend to only two tries.

The match ended but really it was like playing two games against two different teams. So really Won one, Lost one

We offered to play again but could only get a game against their under 9’s. As the match started a Southend player ran straight from the kick off and scored in the corner. (After the game this was put down to the fact that he was very small and the team didn’t want to do a high tackle on him). We started again and after a few passages of play we were back in the swing. Henry picked up the ball and went on a mazy run through the Southend team to score a try. Southend applied some good pressure from the restart but we stood firm in defence. Ricky broke free and passed off to Henry who ran well before off loading to Blake who scored a great try. Southend kicked off but were soon stopped by a great tackle from Grace which Josh followed up by picking the ball and going on a good drive very well assisted by Lol. The ball came out and found its way to Henry who was off and flying across the try line for another score. We were having lots of the ball in this game and we were using it well. After some more great rucking the ball was shot out by Louis into the path of an advancing Charlie who crashed over the line for a try.

From the restart we won the ball back and advance to an attacking position, a ruck formed and Henry came away with the ball, which he passed off to Louis who passed back to Henry. He then passed out to Josh and with a great pick up took the ball over the line for a great score. There were some more great runs from Grace and Ricky and Lol but the last play went to the forwards.

Haidyn picked up the ball and ran before he pasted off to Charlie. Ben was on the shoulder in support and Charlie pop the ball off to Ben who scored a well worked try.

The match ended.

As always great support for our team which can only inspire our boys & girls to perform better and better
A good day to Remember!!