Henry Dowswell Mini Festival Sunday 24th February 2008. Under 7’s report. Squad: Robbie Chan; Ben Dickinson; Miles Entwistle; Harry Goddard; Henry Hamilton; Toby Holt; Harrison Little; Ben Staples; Charlie Watkins Results Old Colfeians WIN 6-1 tries from:- Ben.S 2; Ben.D 2; Henry 1; Robbie 1 Sidcup WIN 8-3 tries from: Miles 1; Ben.D 2; Charlie 1; Ben.S 2; Harrison 1 Cup Final Thurrock LOST 4-6 tries from: Henry 1; Ben. S 1; Charlie 2 Report And so to what coach Entwistle calls the “Business” end of the season……. Our under 7s squad were all present and chomping at the bit on a balmy Sunday morning at Sidcup’s lovely compact ground. We were to play on the short but extremely wide pitch A (as opposed to the very thin but long pitch B. Two games awaited us to decide if we would play in cup, shield or plate final. Our league opponents were to be Old Colfes and the home team (and last years winners) Sidcup . We were sidelined for the first game whilst Robin refereed the other two teams. A quick couple of tagging drills to keep the boys on their toes, a huddled pep talk from Robin and soon enough Skipper Toby was shaking hands with his opposite number from Old Colfes. An unusually straight run from Ben S got us on the scoreboard and when Colfes started our whole team went on a Tagging Frenzy (TF) Six tags later and a forward pass gave possession back to us. Henry weaved up the field only to be tagged six yards out (not that that stopped him as he didn’t hear the shout of TAG) His restart saw Ben D easily speed over into the corner. Another TF and after guiding their ball carrier into touch Harry ran to three yards from the line, offloaded and Ben S walked over for Try three. Half time and our line had not even been threatened. Colfes restarted and so did our tagging blitz (similar to a TF)which saw Robbie driving a Colfien back up the pitch. The atttacker used the ball illegally to hold Robbie off and we had another T/O. Toby took up the challenge and after a run, a jig and an offload Henry sped over in the corner. Colfes had no answer to our tagging and again they were forced into touch. Charlie dances down the wing offloads to Ben D and he makes it 5 without answer. Colfes finally join us on the scoreboard after the pace of our tagging wilts a little and we let them over our line after only three tags. Next a sublime run from Robbie as he spots and accelerates through a gap in the drifting Colfes defence. Six points. Despite stopping their next attack; Charlie’s pick up and go fails to score as his pass is deemed forward as Ben S gets ahead of him. 6-1 a good start but no time for resting on our dough nuts as we are straight on to face Sidcup… Ben D woosh; try in the corner before the sound of the refs whistle reach’s the ears of the parents. Sidcup don’t really know what hit them and as they attack back they suffer eleven tags before finally dragging themselves over our line to equal the score. Harrison shows them how to score quickly in the opposite corner with a burst from the start. Sidcup are paying attention and score a fast try of their own. The first time we concede without getting some tags. Restarting and Ben S does his Bing Crosby “straight down the middle” for try three. At last a TF (tagging frenzy) forces Sidcup to turnover the ball and after carries by Miles and Harry a pass to Ben D sees him in acres of space and the corner waiting to greet him. But Ben decides to show us all he is not just a speed king and proceeds to dance and sidestep his way through the Sidcup defence before sprinting away for try four. Fierce tagging sees three restarts (ripping the ball from the attackers hands not allowed then?) before Sidcup finally wobble over for a try. Robbie does his Billy Whizz impression and scores. Fierce defence forces a forward pass enabling Charlie to do his Billy Elliott impression by dancing down the touchline for what looked like an impossible try. At 6- 3 we are looking comfortable. Miles’ try saving tag stops Sidcup in their tracks and when he then steps on the gas to zag his way over for try seven the result is beyond doubt. None the less a final turnover and pick up by Charlie sees his offload giving Ben S the chance to step over the line and give us a flattering 8- 3 win. We are up for the Sid Cup. And we haven’t even opened the lunch boxes yet. THE FINAL Thurrock. (sounds like an expletive) Intelligence reports say they have won the harder group of three and they have some good players and one very good player. We are ready. They start and we don’t lay a finger on their superstar as he runs into the corner. They win a turnover after Harry is forced into touch and after a neat step and hip shake they score again. We attack with Miles fast and straight, tagged his pass is nearly dropped by Robbie but he juggles the ball under control only to trip and fall. Thankfully Charlie picks up and goes over. We’re on the board. Their attack is a bit of a scramble and we start to take tags but they break through and we are back to two down. Cool hand Henry takes it back to them and after seemingly twice dancing in the wrong direction he opens up their whole defence and ambles in to score in the corner. Last play of the half and superboy does us again all be it with several fingers on him this time (but also with both his tags still on)…..2-4 down and a mountain to climb. Thurrock use their not so secret weapon when their coach manages to block Ben S on his way to a certain try; luckily Henry takes it on but is tripped so Charlie picks up and scores. Boy wonder runs through the middle of us this time and we are back to two down. Charlie starts and the ball is passed through several pairs of hands as Thurrock defend for their lives. A knock on and a turnover. We feel the match slipping away from us. Fast boy does it for them again and we are three down. Toby starts, gets tripped and we give the ball to them only to win it back as our pride and TF resurfaces. A scrambly, rumbling try as Ben S picks up the ball and to the words “Play on” scores. We stop them again but it is too late. Charlie is crunched into touch (Contact Rugby?) and the whistle goes. Oh Thurrocks. A great little festival and great tagging from all our players. Thank you Sidcup. Well played Thurrock and unlucky the Bex Boys and coach Entwistle.