ColfeiansKent Mini Festival Sunday 2nd April 2006. Under 7’s report. Photos - Bulls Festival Report Beccehamian Bulls As usual an early start and a struggle with the tent. The Bulls were drawn in a very difficult 5-team group. Our first match against a very impressive Westcombe Park resulted in a 7-1 defeat, not a good start, and it didn’t look good for the day. We for some reason are very slow starters as a squad. We tried our best but were just not up to the challenged. The second game was against Medway, a known quantity, and they didn’t disappoint, they were well drilled and very good at both attack and defence, we lost 6-1. The good thing to come from these two defeats was the heart the team put into it and didn’t give up. Never did I see any of the players moan and the sportsmanship at the end would make some professional teams proud. A big thanks to Nick Hallam, under 8 coach, who had been watching the 2 previous games and had seen some areas where we could improve. With a little pre match practice we were ready for the third match. The third game was much more impressive as we ran out winners 3-0 against the home team Old Colfs. The team had taken the previous defeats well and had improved beyond recognition. We played as a team and supported the ball carrier, well done. Our fourth match was against a very well organised Blackheath A, I expected a result similar to our first 2 matches. The team tagged, passed, supported and played as a unit, we came out of this game with our pride and spirits high, we lost 3-1 but played out of our skins. I must admit I don’t know the scores from the other games but somehow we managed to finish 4th in the group stage, allowing us to progress to the knockouts. The semi-final was against Blackheath B, we got our revenge on their club by winning 3-0. The team was beginning to gel together and produced a display of total rugby. The final, Tunbridge Wells, a very good team, we were up against it but the players had done themselves proud by getting this far. I thought I had seen the best from the team in the semi final but no, they surpassed even my expectations. I have never enjoyed a mini match as much as this one, the commitment from both teams should be held up as a standard for all age groups. The nerves were visible on the faces of all the parents and supporters as the game flowed back and forth, with Tunbridge pegging us back each time we scored, until we took a 5-4 just after half time, to a turnover. With 45 seconds left on the clock and Tunbridge levelling the score at 8-8 it was very tense. We re-started drove forward, re-cycled the ball and an opening was made for the winning try to be scored. The earth was noticeably lighter as all the parents, supporters, players and coaches jumped for joy and gave out a deafening cheer. We won 9-8, very well done everyone. I would like to mention the players with a little note on how they did on the day. Thomas Buckle, a genius in elusive running. Sam Baxter, a stalwart in defence. Erin Rochester, all over the pitch in support. Eddie Ashworth, a hard running attacking player. Maleek Montgomery, a defensive line breaker. Ben Davis, an elusive attacking asset. Adam Harrington, a game winner. Oliver Tomkins, an attacking speedster. Andrew Ward, a dynamo with skills beyond his years, will be missed. Lucas Buckler, never ending attacking energy. Matthew Clarke, a try-scoring machine. Cameron Grant, an attacking hard-hitting defensive line breaker. I cannot apologise for the smile I walked about with at the end of the tournament. I was probably the proudest coach and father at the tournament since the Bulls performed so well and Cameron won the player of the week cup. Thanks again to all of you, parents, supporters and players for an enjoyable day. Rod Beccehamian Stags Report