Coach Andy Williamson 01245 221373
SWF RFC Under 8s: Braintree Rugby Festival.
Following their success at the Essex and Chingford Festivals, South
Woodham Ferrers RFC Under 8s ventured to the Braintree Festival in
good spirits.
The first group stage saw them matched against familiar opponents in
Thurrock. The opening play saw a darting break by Rhys, who passed
to Daniel who supported well and shipped the ball to Nathan who put
in Jack for a good try. SWF followed this up with Jack breaking the
Thurrock defence and Daniel and Nathan again linking well to set up
Lee for the second. Thurrock hit back before Callum scorched the
left wing, with Lee again on hand to score. And before the half
ended, Lee then ran in another to rack up his hat-trick and put SWF
4-1 up at the break. In the second half, Thurrock ran in a brace of
tries. But good work, by Tom, Harry, William and Kyran enabled
Callum to run in 2 tries himself, so that SWF ran out 6-3 winners.
The second group match saw SWF matched up against Westcliffe, who
quickly went into a 2-0 lead. A jinking run from Nathan was well
supported by Callum who slipped in Lee to reply. However, SWF were
doing themselves no favours and a series of unforced errors saw good
runs go unrewarded and a clinical Westcliffe side took advantage,
scoring a further 4 tries. However, SWF showed great spirit,
carrying on until the final whistle and a great run from Harry saw
Nathan grab a consolation, Westcliffe running out 6-2 winners.
The final group match pitted SWF against Harlow, with a win required
to take SWF to the cup knock out stage. SWF started well with Rhys
cutting through the Harlow defence and good support work saw Nathan
touch down for the opening score. A good run by Harry was thwarted,
but SWF were rewarded with long-range solo efforts from Nathan and
Daniel. However, Harlow were making a game of it with 3 first-half
tries of their own. William combined well with Harry, who scored the
last first-half try for SWF, giving them a 4-3 lead at the interval.
In the second half, good defence limited Harlow to 2 further tries.
A determined run from Luke saw him touch down before Tom scored a
fine individual try. And a good break by Jack saw Callum go over.
Callum then sealed the victory, running from his own half to score
the final try. SWF winning 8-5.
Their results in the group stage saw SWF drawn to face the winners
of the other group, Bury St. Edmunds. Both teams were giving it
their all and good defence by Jack forced an error and good counter
attacking saw Lee go over. Bury hit back and scored 3 first-half
tries. SWF hit back valiantly and Nathan, Rhys, Lee, and Callum all
made good breaks, but sadly the team were unable to convert them
into tries, leaving SWF 1-3 down at the break and with a mountain to
climb to reach the final. Again the team showed great resilience and
fighting spirit. Nathan scored a great try following a good pass
from Tom before a good run by Callum racked up another. Bury were
still potent going forward and ran in 3 second half tries. But SWF
fought back with Nathan and Callum scoring, following great approach
play by Daniel and Tom respectively, setting up a tense finish.
Despite ’winning’ the second half, Bury held on to win 6-5 and edge
SWF out of another final appearance.
Another good day. The team can again be proud of their performances
- getting to the semi-final of the cup competition is an achievement
in itself . Well done and hope to see you all next week at the
Presentation Day.
Festival squad: Nathan, Tom, Luke, Rhys, Lee, Daniel, William,
Harry, Jack, Kyran and Callum
Match Report: Greg and Darren - Under 8s coaches
SWF RFC Under 8s serve up success on a Plate
A series of thrilling performances saw South Woodham Ferrers Under
8s draw in the final to win a share of the Chingford Festival Plate.
In the first match against Ashford, SWF opened strongly, with solid
defence culminating in a try-saving tag by Tom. The next play saw a
powerful run by Callum create a try for Nathan. And in their next
attack, a flowing move involving Kimberley and Luke saw Tom cross
the line. Ashford were also potent in attack, crossing 4 times in
the first half. The second half saw Luke and Nathan combine to put
Lee in to score, but Ashford bounced back. Two more tries, by Nathan
and Tom were not enough as Ashford ran out 8-5 winners.
In their second match, SWF faced a Thurrock team they had drawn
against in the Essex Festival. Lee opened the scoring only for
Thurrock to strike back. Then a run from Katherine was taken on up
the wing by Nathan to score, but Thurrock again responded. Defence
then prevailed with a strong break from Callum being forced into
touch and Woodham responded by shutting out Thurrock. Further
aggressive defence saw Thurrock fumble the ball on Woodham’s try
line and Rhys spotted a gap and ran the length of the pitch to
score. Thurrock scored before more inspired tagging saw a Thurrock
forward pass and Nathan ran in a try. Thurrock replied with a brace
before Callum ran in the winning try.
The third group match pitted SWF against Burnham. A strong run from
Rhys saw Lee open the scoring before incisive running and passing
from Luke and Lee saw Nathan double the score. Burnham fought back
to level before good handling from Nathan and Lee put Rhys in to
score. Burnham then hit back to square the scores at half time.
Great team tagging and a second half hat trick from Callum saw SWF
take control but two late Burnham tries saw the game finish tied
6-6.
The final group game against Woodford saw SWF needing a win to take
them into the Plate final. A surging run from Rhys saw Lee cross for
the opening score before a break from Katherine and clever support
from Lee saw Nathan cross for a second. However a strong Woodford
team were matching SWF try-for-try. A brace of tries by Nathan were
followed by a clean break by Kimberley who fed Lee to score. Again,
Woodford were proving to be strong opponents and they replied with
tries of their own before great passing from Tom, Nathan and Lee was
finished off by Callum. Then, with the game tied, Callum scored a
terrific solo effort to win the game.
In the final, SWF saw themselves up against a strong Brentwood team.
SWF showed great intent with a 7 tag turnover. Rhys then broke the
defensive line passed to Tom who put in Nathan to open the scoring.
Brentwood responded before Rhys restored SWF’s lead. A typical
Callum solo effort and great passing, by Nathan and Rhys to put in
Lee, added to the score but Brentwood were still formidable in
attack, leaving the scores even at half time. And the second half
couldn’t separate the teams, with Brentwood scores being matched by
Nathan, Callum and Nathan again to tie the scores 7-7 and secure the
team‘s second piece of silverware of the season.
Another great day out and another fantastic team perforance. Good
luck for next week and the season’s final festival at Braintree.
Festival squad: Callum, Kimberley, Katherine, Lee, Luke, Rhys, Tom
and Nathan.
Match Report: Greg and Darren - Under 8s coaches
SWF RFC Under 8’s
Bowl-ed over by Festival success.
A series of spirited and skilful performances saw South Woodham
Ferrers Rugby Club Under 8’s draw in the final and walk away with a
well earned share of the Essex Rugby Festival Bowl.
In the opening group match, SWF ran out convincing winners with a
powerful all-round display against the hosts, Southend. Callum
showed the way with a trademark solo score from the game’s opening
play. Robust defence pressurised Southend into an error and Tom
raced away for a second. Then Kyran made a incisive break before
feeding Tom to put Callum in for a third. Southend hit back with 2
tries, but Kimberley broke and Nathan scored with a typical
side-stepping run. In the second period started, Nathan sped away to
score again before tenacious SWF defending forced an error, and Rhys
made use of broken play to off-load to Luke who linked with Nathan
to put in William to finish a flowing move. Southend looked to score
but aggressive tagging saw them drop the ball on the try line - and
Rhys reacted quickest to turbo-charge his way past the entire
opposition, running the length of the pitch to score. Southend
scored but Rhys ran in a further solo effect to reply. SWF closed
off the game with 2 7-tag turnovers to run out convincing 8-3
winners.
The 2nd pool match, SWF faced Eton Manor. Good SWF defence stopped
Eton Manor’s first attack and Callum again showed blistering pace to
open the scoring. Eton Manor responded before a barnstorming run by
Tom put Kyran in to score - and the same pair linked well for Tom to
score after Eton Manor had hit back. Eton Manor went over again,
before Tom broke and put in Kimberley to score a fine try. Eton
Manor hit back to even the score at half time, and then scored first
in the 2nd half to take the lead for the first time. Undaunted, a
fine move started by Rhys, taken on by Tom and then Lee who showed
great awareness and no little skill in throwing a long pass for
Daniel to score in the corner. Eton Manor struck again before a fine
effort from Lee tied the score 6-6. Eton Manor again scored. In the
closing stages, Luke burst through the defensive line, but for once
support was slow in arriving and Eton Manor turned the ball over to
score a break away try. The final score was 6-8 to a fine Eton Manor
side who went on to top the group, but this was an excellent
performance by the team which illustrates the fine line between
victory and defeat.
The final group game against Thurrock was a tighter affair. SWF went
into an early lead with tries from Tom and Harry before Thurrock
responded. Fine defence from Jack, Tom and Luke saw Callum run in
and make it 3-1 at half time. In the 2nd half SWF continued to show
good attacking intend, with Luke, William and Nathan showing up
well. But a couple of fumbles saw SWF fail to add to their total and
Thurrock score twice to gain a 3-3 draw and deprive SWF of a
deserved win.
SWF’s performances in the group saw them paired against Epping &
Upper Clapton in the Bowl semi-final. Clearly Epping hadn’t deployed
spies to our group match as the jet-heeled Callum again motored up
the wing to score. SWF were playing with verve and vigour and Tom
racing in before Callum put us 3 up. Epping responded with a brace,
but a fine run from Luke was taken on by Jack who passed to Nathan
to go over before fine play again by Jack, Luke and Harry saw SWF go
5-2 up at the break. Again SWF couldn’t quite convert their fine
attacking play into tries in the 2nd half, with fine runs by Tom,
Rhys, Lee and Nathan and a couple of fine attacks by Daniel going
unrewarded. Epping fought back and 2 tries made for a nervy finale,
but SWF stood firm to go through to the final 5-4.
So to the final against a strong Chelmsford side who opened the
scoring. SWF reacted well with Tom making a break to feed the
ubiquitous Kyran who put Nathan clear to score. Another fine team
move then saw Kimberley, Tom, Nathan combine for Callum to score,
and the same group then linked up with Harry to free Nathan to put
SWF 3-1 up. Chelmsford fought back to level the score, only for
Callum to restore the lead. 2 quick Chelmsford tries put them ahead
but SWF showed great spirit - William sprinting clear and supplying
the pass for Nathan to complete a cup final hat trick. Again,
Chelmsford breached a heroic SWF defence and on the sidelines we
feared that lightning may indeed strike twice following the Eton
Manor result. But a final score by Nathan secured a 6-6 draw and a
well deserved share of the spoils of victory.
The team can be rightly proud of their performance today. The
commitment, courage and skill levels were all first rate. And the
Festival organisers also praised the team for their sense of
fair-play and sporting behaviour - well done each and every one of
you.
Festival squad: Callum, Daniel, Harry, Jack, Kimberley, Kyran, Lee,
Luke, Nathan, Rhys, Tom and William.
Match Report: Darren and Greg - Under 8s coaches
SWF RFC Under 8s
South Woodham Ferrers v Colchester.
Last year, we discovered how strong Colchester are at this age group
and they proved again to be formidable opponents. In the opening
game, the visitors proved to be tenacious defenders and potent
runners. SWF tried valiantly to breach rock-solid Colchester defence
with good runs from William and Drew with Lee and Kimberley showing
up well in support. Each time they were thwarted and Colchester,
running good lines and always providing options ran in 4 unanswered
tries. SWF kept battling with Nathan making a number of half breaks
and good work by Luke and Lee resulted in Callum finishing off a
fine team effort.
SWF made 6 changes at half time. Good breaks by Jack, Kieran and
Daniel went unrewarded while the whole team tackled like trojans
with Rhys and Tom leading the way. A flowing move with the ball
moving from Katherine to Kieran saw Tom sweep out to the wing and
run in a deserved effort. Despite never letting their heads drop,
SWF could not catch Colchester who ran out convincing winners.
The second match saw a determined SWF take the game to the visitors.
However, Colchester again showed their all-round quality, running in
some tremendous tries. SWF responded well with Nathan regularly
making half-breaks, Luke and Jack linking up well and Kimberley
regularly appearing on the ball-carrier’s shoulder. Tom finished off
a good move to score and Drew added a second. Despite trailing at
the break, SWF didn’t let their heads drop. Rhys made a number of
telling breaks, William darted looking for gaps but they could not
escape water-tight cover defence until Kieran showed great support
play to receive a pass to score. Katherine then made a break and
Kieran again was on hand to link play for Callum to go over, before
the effervescent Daniel arced down the right ring to score. However
Colchester continued to run in good tries to secure the win before
Tom, epitomising SWF spirit and fight, crossed for the game’s final
score.
Today was a steep learning curve for the team - but they can be
proud of the effort they all put in and the spirit and camaraderie
displayed - well done all.
This week’s team: Daniel, Nathan, Luke, Jack, Tom, Callum, William,
Kieran, Katherine, Kimberley, Rhys, Lee and Drew.
Report from Greg and Darren - Under 8s coaches.
SWF RFC Under 8s
South Woodham Ferrers v Chingford.
South Woodham Ferrers started well against a well organised and
committed Chingford side, with determined defence forcing a 7-tackle
turnover from which Drew ran in a well earned try.
A day made for running rugby saw entertaining rugby from both sides.
Chingford drew level and a couple of unforced errors saw Chingford
move to a 3-1 lead before Drew struck again.
The second half continued in a similar vein. Chingford ran in a
further 4 tries, with South Woodham responding well - more elusive
running from Drew completing his hat trick and Rhys running in a
brace, leaving Chingford deserved winners 5-7.
South Woodham responded well in the second match, with Tom opening
the scoring after a typically strong run. Chingford rallied scoring
2 tries before William showed his pace to score and Martin showed
the value of good support play to be on hand to put South Woodham
3-2 up at half time.
Good tries by Lee and Drew were countered by 3 fine Chingford tries.
With the scores tied at 5-5, the final play saw a searing run from
Rhys breach the Chingford defensive line. His charge towards the
line was thwarted by good cover defence, but he offloaded well for
Drew to score a well-deserved winning try.
Congratulations to the team for another good performance.
This week’s team: Katherine, Drew, Jack, Martin, Luke, Tom, Rhys,
William and Lee
Report from Greg and Darren - Under 8s coaches. |
