U15s 49 Upminster U15s 10

Props run riot…

The boys started slowly as they often do, and being uphill and against the elements wasn’t going to make it any easier for them. The tackling was again a bit dodgy but fortunately Chris Doble was providing a bit of comic relief by trying to be touch judge with only one arm; waving a flag and indicating which team the put in was to proving to be difficult to do at the same time.

A great catch from Daniel at fullback and a good run set Brentwood up in their most promising position of the game so far but the ball was turned over. Upminster then went through many phases, retaining the ball well and scored in the corner. The conversion missed, 5-0 to Upminster.

Brentwood decided then was probably a good time to wake up and Billy, looking more comfortable at fly half with every game, opened up acres of space with a clever run which lead to a penalty. With Sam Morgan away on Essex duty it was left to Rob to take on the ‘run head first into the opposition defence’ role, which he did well, getting close enough to the try line for Ollie to pick the ball up and crash over. Billy’s conversion attempt was on target but didn’t have the legs, 5 all.

The boys were starting to look even less lethargic, some good offloading up the wing setting them up inside the Upminster 22 where they remained camped. The effort was there but the application wasn’t with lots of knock ons and the ball being lost in contact, they were close but not close enough.

Just before half time, the pressure finally paid off. Just on the 22 James half broke from the edge of a ruck, he popped the ball onto the supporting William who, with a clear run to the try line, had visions of his aspiration to become ‘Willy the Winger’ coming true and raced for the corner. However, with only the pace of a prop the cover defence caught him. Dreams shattered, he popped the ball off the floor to fellow prop Ross C who scored. Billy’s conversion was again short. 10-5 to Brentwood and half time.

The second half started as the first had ended with some good tackling leading to a turnover. James set off on another powerful run, passed to the supporting William who lobbed the ball American Football style to Ross C who went under the posts. Billy managed the conversion from straight in front. 17-5 to Brentwood.

Brentwood continued to pile on the pressure from the restart and eventually gained a lineout 5 metres out. James took the catch and the forwards mauled over the line, William ending up at the bottom of the pile to score the try. Billy’s conversion missed, 22-5 to Brentwood.

Things then got even better for Brentwood when the Upminster restart didn’t go ten and they got the scrum back in the middle of the pitch. Straight from the scrum the ball was whipped wide to Jordan who set off on a scintillating run, which ended with him scoring in the corner. Billy’s conversion, as you can probably guess, missed, 27-5.

The next try was a great team effort. The forwards successfully secured the ball from the restart and a clever kick and good chase from the backs forced Upminster into hacking the ball into touch. Spotting that Upminster were ambling back for the line out, Roland flung a quick throw in to Billy, who after a quick bit of juggling, passed it out. The Upminster defence were scrambling back but Brentwood had an overlap, which for once they actually managed to use! Sleek handling put Roland in to finish the move he’d started in the opposite corner of the field. Conversion? No chance. 32-5.

There was now no stopping Brentwood, they were in a ruthless mood and continued to play as if it was 0-0. The forwards opted for a rumble down the middle of the pitch and despite Billy’s best yells for them to get the ball out having done all the hard work to get to the try line they weren’t about to let a back have this one. Rob eventually managed to squirm over and a huge roar went up as Billy nailed a conversion! 39-5.

The penultimate try saw the James, William and Ross connection link up again. William flung a neat pass to James who set off on a rampage down the field. Once he’d broken the first line of defence it seemed likely he’d go under the posts but credit to Upminster the defence chased back and managed to haul him down agonisingly short. Unfortunately for Upminster Ross C was on his shoulder to claim his third try of the day. Billy, still celebrating from his successful conversion, managed to completely scuff the kick in front of the posts and then proceeded to blame the tee as all good fly halves should, 44-5 to Brentwood.

Upminster though continued to fight and pulled back a score of their own after a period of possession, some good running seeing them in at the corner, the conversion missed, 44-10.

In spite of this, Brentwood was determined to have the last word and with time running out and Upminster player was caught isolated with the ball. The ball was turned and the forwards set off on one last heave for the line, a powerful maul seeing William over for his second try, fifth for the props and seventh for the forwards. Looks like the backs are out of a job… With Billy kicking and this being the last play there was no chance of the half-century, the match ending 49-10. A great performance from all the boys, which left the coaches in all sorts of dilemmas when picking who to feed tomato juice and lemonade to!