Sunday 14th October 2007 - Beccehamians at Windsor Festival We were expecting a hard days rugby and we got it. What we weren't expecting was to lose three of our fastest backs so when Will, Angus and Harry dropped out we knew we would be up against it. Fortunately Ryan stepped up to play in the centre and may just have found his new position! Sam Jeral played full back and showed why he plays there for Langley. So some good came out of it but it did mean that Paul, George, Jack Robertson and Liam had to play all four games - well done you four! Beccehamian 19 - Beckenham 5 As one spectator said - a bit odd coming so far to play your local rivals! A good start for the boys though against a Beckenham side who worked hard throughout. An early Jack Robertson try and conversion was almost wiped out soon after half time when Beckenham pulled back to 7-5. This was the signal for Beccs to step up a gear and to start hitting the rucks and mauls at speed. Jack scored a second try before Paul stepped through and then out ran their defence for a superb individual effort to seal the win. Beccehamian 7 - Newbury 0 Probably our finest hour (20 minutes anyway). Newbury had looked really good in their first game and we knew that if we let them get the ball they would run us ragged. The forwards were outstanding - outrucking and outmauling their more cultured opponents and destroying them in the scrums. Newbury were simply not allowed to play and a Jack Robertson try before half time was enough. Some stout defending by everyone kept them at bay, the forwards never lowered the tempo and Beccs came away with a desereved win. Beccehamian 5 - Henley 12 At the half way stage both Beccs and Henley had won two games so this was the decider. Henley had dominated other teams by virtue of two extremely large forwards. We could not maintain the same tempo as before but we made it hard for them, again dominating the scrum but being let down by a referee who did not understand the scrummage laws. Eventually our pressure told when a super cut out pass from Paul put Jack in to make it 5-0 at half time. As expected Henley came at us hard in the second half and we had to defend for a long time until slow reactions behind our line gave them a soft try. Still they kept the pressure on and we defended stoutly until the dying seconds when their big feller flopped over to make it 12-5. This was by far the hardest game Henley had as they went on to win the tournament unbeaten. Beccehamian 0 - Windsor 19 A game too far for the boys against a well drilled side who thoroughly deserved their win. All in all a good day in what must be one of the best settings to play rugby in - under the shadow of Windsor Castle. The coaches were extremely proud of the whole squad especially those who stepped up and showed they can play at this level - sound performances from Mitch Pugh, Sam O'Donnell and Jacob Hart. Robbie Broadhurst