TELFORD FESTIVAL FINAL TABLE | | P | W | D | L | PTS |
| Old Rishworthians | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 13 |
| Telford | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 13 |
| Sandbach | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 |
| Chaddersley Corbettt | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
| Shrewsbury | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| Newport | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| Burntwood | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
Game 1 vs Shrewsbury
Won 5-0
Scorer: Cameron Beech
No sign of any volcanic ash this week as we got off to a fantastic start! An early surge from the opposition was repelled as we settled down into our groove. We played most of the game in their half, and really put them under pressure at times. The forwards looked impressive early on and provided solid ball for our backs to run at them, but it was through the forwards that we scored our first try of the tournament, with Cameron finishing an excellent rolling maul move. Once again, we showed lovely hands down the back line, but more impressive this week was our tackling- not one missed in this whole game!
Game 2 vs Old Rishworthians
Lost 0-20
Up against the eventual tournament winners, playing back to back with no subs, this was always going to be a tough game. They put us under pressure from the start, and they were a big, mobile side, with their backs in particular very strong, but we defended well and were unlucky to concede our first try when they eventually created an overlap in the corner. Our forwards stood up to the task well, but were outsized, and when we were pushed off our own scrum near our line, their scrum half was ruthless enough to score from close range. We showed we could still mix it, especially with some good line-out ball but once again we showed a little naivety and tiredness, when we conceded two late breakaway tries to add insult to injury, as we actually played quite well, with Joe and Samuel showing they can tackle with aggression and tenacity.
Game 3 vs Telford (Under 15’s!)
Lost 0-20
Ok they were massive! When their captain shook hands with the referee, I thought he was their coach! They were fresh from giving Shrewsbury a hammering, but we initially took the game to them, and looked like we might score first, only to concede a penalty a few yards from the line, and from the resulting penalty they charged up the field to score after a couple of missed tackles. They were a strong side, with their 6ft captain a constant threat, but we played well, and we put in some excellent back moves, with Luke expressing himself very well with his passing and incisive running. But eventually, their size and power showed and they over-ran us in the end as we conceded a further three tries, but we never stopped trying which was a credit to all the players.
Game 4 vs Newport
Won 10-5
Scorers: Callum Darlington, Luke Pickles
We did well to pick ourselves up after two defeats, as we showed we can really play. They put us under initial pressure, but we soaked it up, and to a man showed how far we have progressed as a squad this year, as we tackled with ferocity and ran at them with guile and aggression. The forwards took the game to the opposition, with Jack, Christian and Cameron fighting every inch of the way, with Tom and Joe backing them up, we looked formidable. We won a scrum against the head, and the quick thinking of Callum saw him score a great opportunist try. From the kick-off Tom produced some lovely work to take the ball back into their territory, and when the ball broke to Luke, he finished a rousing move to score a fabulous team try. We were comfortable until a minute from the end, when they scored to make it a tense last few moments, but all in all, a solid win.
Game 5 vs Chattersley Corbettt
Lost 0-5
After a fabulous start in this game, we started to look a little tired, which was understandable given the amount of rugby we had played, and the amount of effort we had put in. We looked a little leggy, when we conceded their try, but we roused ourselves well, and eventually returned to form. Thomas and David were strong in Midfield, both running back at the opposition from deep with good skill and strength, and once again our wingers got some good ball, and we were really unlucky not to score through David, when we had created the overlap and glory beckoned. The forwards again were superb, winning every scrum and line-outs, and in the end we ran out of steam, and deserved moe from this game.
Game 6 vs Burntwood
Won 35-0
Scorers: Luke Pickles (2), Alex Walker, Thomas Lea, Tom Stock, Callum Darlington
What a game to end the tournament and season with! We really enjoyed ourselves in this game with Alex in particular really reveling in his role, punching holes in the opposing defence. Luke opened the scoring after capitalizing on some wonderful forward play from Christian and Jack. And straight from the kick-off we added a second. After a strong aggressive run from Joe, Alex nipped in to score a well deserved try. Shortly after, Joe combined well with Samuel to set up Luke for his second of the game. Christian produced the ball yet again from the maul, to set up Thomas for a try in the corner. Credit to the opposition, they never stopped working and we had to produce some great rugby to break them down. A lovely angled run from Tom, saw us add to the score, and this set the tone for the backs who at times ripped them apart with some wonderful passing and running. The last try though, typified our day and season, when our irrepressible forwards charged the Burntwood pack off their own scrum, and once again Callum saw the opportunity and took it to score our last try of the day and season.
Overall, we ended the season on a relative high. On a day when we played a lot of rugby, with no Subs after injuries and other commitments saw us utilize the entire squad. We showed great character in triumph and defeat, which shows how far we have progressed this season. Well done everyone today, we finished 3rd to teams much bigger than ourselves, but showed that we can all play, and can match anyone on our day. The forwards looked a tight unit, winning some great scrums and line-outs, and at times unmatchable in the rucks and mauls. The backs including Callum, showed some great running and tackling, mixed in with some fantastic passing, and at the right times, some wonderful defensive kicking. Well done everyone today, and that includes the coaching staff!