Westcombe Park Mini Festival Sunday 23rd April 2006. Under 7’s report. Photo - more.. Here we go, with the last festival report of the 2005-2006 season. Again we had entered the Stags and Bulls into this festival. Rod keeping an eye on the Bulls, while I looked after the Stags. We mixed the teams up since our last outing, and had two evenly matched sides. This report will deal with the Stags only. Although both teams were in different pools and with differing time slots, with the odd delay it appeared we were both playing at virtually the same time. Unfortunately this meant I was unable to watch any of the Bulls games. Beccs Stags. We were shown on the festival program as the Beccs A team and therefore were drawn in a pool of all ‘A’ teams. Some of our team had limited festival experience and this was going to be a daunting task for them but all stepped up to the challenge doing themselves and the U7s proud. Our first game was against Bromley, who we have met in the past and had some cracking games against. Harry Gibson won the toss and we started with possession. The game was fast and for a long time was very equal, each side cancelling out the others advantage in tries and possession. Bromley appeared to have a secret weapon in a very tall young lad, who on two occasions streaked by our players for two tries. The team jelled well together from the start and there were examples of great supporting play from all. By the final whistle all were breathing heavily. We ran out 5-3 winners, with two tries for Ollie Gadd and one a piece for Harry Gibson, Harry Scott-Munro and Scott Thomas. Off to a great start. Our second game was the big one. Sevenoaks A. We have competed against them in our pool three times this year and they have all been very close and competitive games. This one was no exception and the ref had to be on his toes. Both teams started out hard and fast. Our team supported each other well with great supporting runs and play from both Harry’s and Tom Firth. By half time we were down 5-3. The team never gave up and put together some fantastic passes to pull us back into it at 7-7. Sevenoaks took their score up to 8 which gave us possession for the last play of the game, we had to make it count and all the team knew it. They supported each other fantastically, with Harry Gibson left free to run for the line. Unfortunately he was ’accidentally’ tripped 4 feet from the try area, knocking the ball forward as he fell. The ref decided that was the point to blow the final whistle. Sevenoaks won 8-7, in what was a very competitive and entertaining game of rugby. Both teams played exceptionally well. Three tries for Harry Scott-Munro, Two for Tom Firth and one a piece for Harry Gibson and Ben Davis. Our third game was against Canterbury. I had watched them earlier against Sevenoaks and they looked in good form. Off we went with the bit between our teeth again. Canterbury appeared to have much of the possession in the first half which ended 3-2 to them. We seemed to lack a little urgency in the second half until the dying seconds. A great run was made by Ben Davis, who unfortunately could not hold onto the ball as he was bundled in the scoring area and unfortunately the try was not given. But again there was some great long passes, which bodes well for next season. Final score 5-3 to Canterbury. Our tries scored by Harry Scott-Munro, Harry Gibson and Oliver Tomkins. No league was being kept in our age group but we still showed three fine performances. We knew our last game was important, firstly due to Stags pride but also it would be our last competitive game of the season. A couple of parents from the Bulls came over to watch our last game against Brentwood and support the team. Again we were off as soon as the whistle went, creating some great moves, finding space out of no where or running straight towards the opposition and making space. Again there was great supporting play and passes. The final score was 5-3 to Beccs. 2 tries a piece for Harry Scott-Munro and Henry with one for Ollie Gadd. All in all a fine days outing. The atmosphere at this festival is always great and this one did not disappoint. Medals were presented to the team by Aston Croall and Alex Rogers of Harlequins RFC. And for the last time this season all the stags posed for photos. All the stags played their very best but a couple have to be mentioned. Tom Firth for his speed and support, who was the stags player of the tournament. Harry Gibson played out of his skin this week, creating some great runs, and was always strong in support. I also have to mention Scott Thomas, who probably played his last competitive game for Beccs. Scott is due to move to Brisbane, this summer and will be missed by the team for his personality, speed and cheeky smile. As always there are a few thank you’s. To Max and Stuart for coming along to support the team, despite the fact that Max was not playing due to an injury picked up from a rugby training session at Westcombe park. (OK he fell of a swing at Westcombe Park, but it sounds better this way). To Steve Dennis, for taking photo’s, to Simon Gadd for assisting me with scoring the Stag games and to Michael Lear of the U8’s for agreeing to be our nominated ref and therefore missing some of his own sons games. I have to thank Westcombe Park for a well organised and pleasant event and to all our supporters who turned up in numbers again to support both teams. Lastly I have to thank all the boys and girl, who have turned up week after week and made this my first season as a coach such an enjoyable experience. Thank you all. Andrew. .................................................................................................................................... The Bulls The last tournament of the season. The first game was against Sevenoaks, as per usual it seems, we were up to speed and we tried our hardest throughout the game, but lost 6-3. The tries were scored by Thomas Buckle, Matthew Clarke and Cameron Grant. The 2nd game against Tunbridge Wells was a draw, 6-6,with Matthew and Jed Sexton scroring 1 try each and Ben Steward and Cameron 2 a piece. The 3rd against Maidstone was a 5-4 victory to us, Lucas Buckler, Jed, Thomas, Matthew and Ralph Edward scoring 1 each. The last game was against Tonbridge Judds where we lost a close game 6-4, 2 tries from both Matthew and Jed. The players were very impressive with their never give up attitude and sportsmanship. I would also like to mention Adam Dennis for his powerful runs, Eddie Ashworth for some amazing speedy breaks, Adam Harrington for his elusive running and Sam Baxter for his support play. Special mention goes to Ralph who with his great skills in support he scored his first tournament try, well done, he looked so happy and that is what it is all about, not to mention it won us the match. Congratulations to all of the Bulls Rod