Brentwood U17s 46 Thurrock U17s 12

Brentwood’s good form continues…

This was meant to be a league game but some fairly iffy goings on mean nobody really knows what is going on with it now…I’m not sure the boys were aware of this though early on as they were back to their overlap blowing best, the kind of form which usually appears in games that aren’t friendlies. Despite this however Brentwood had the lion’s share of territory and possession early on and were held up over the try line. Probably bad positioning from the ref. I’m allowed to say that because it was Ian. However the resultant 5 metre scrum saw the forwards crash it up and eventually James pummelled his way over the line. The conversion missed, 5-0 Brentwood.

Apart from the odd mistake Brentwood were in fact playing reasonably well and for a lengthy period were camped well in the Thurrock 22. They were in desperate need of converting the pressure to points and when Pratley made a significant dent in the midfield the break through was finally made. The ball was recycled and passed out, Billy throwing a beautiful pass for Roland to power over the line. Charlie knocked the conversion over, 12-0 Brentwood. A pretty good start!

Brentwood’s huge forward pack were now well into the swing of things and more than making their presence felt, reflected in the fact that all the possession and territory belonged to Brentwood. The scrum was looking extremely strong and off the back of one such scrum James used the new ELV of the defence having to be 5 metres back to build up a head of steam after picking up from the base, taking a defender or two over the line with him as he went. The conversion missed, 17-0 Brentwood.

Brentwood’s next try was again started by Brentwood’s powerful forwards gaining good territory and quick ball. Pratley steam rollered a few Thurrock players again and recycled leaving Jake enough room to set off on a zig zagging run which once he got started on he wasn’t going to stop, leaping for the corner to ground the ball. The conversion missed but it was 22-0 Brentwood and half time. A fairly decent half then!

Unfortunately the 2^nd half didn’t start according to plan. The customary mad period was back with Brentwood giving a penalty away straight from the kick off to begin the 2^nd half. Thurrock tapped, went and were gone before Brentwood had even realised. The try was converted, 22-7 Brentwood.

Brentwood then decided to rediscover aimless passing, stupid kicking and generally how to put themselves under pressure with what was probably the worst period of rugby they’ve played this season thus far. Adam finally relieved the pressure by intercepting a pass and good support from Sam Fry saw Brentwood back on the front foot. The ball was recycled quickly and Brentwood capitalised on the turnover with some nice interplay between the forwards sending Ollie over. Charlie converted, 29-7 Brentwood.

The moment of madness had now passed and Brentwood began to pick up their play again. Almost immediately after scoring they nearly scored again, a knock on in one instance and a foot in touch in the other just denying them. This was soon rectified though when from the lineout Chris Doble absolutely smashed the player receiving the ball on the ground and a 5 metre scrum was won. During the next period of play Billy claims he scored but it wasn’t given, I’m of course inclined to believe he got nowhere near the try line, but after much huffing and puffing I believe Pratley got the ball down. I say believe because there’s big question mark by it in my notes…Jonny decided to run straight in front of Charlie as he tried to kick, very helpful, so the conversion missed. 34-7 Brentwood.

The build up to Brentwood’s next try saw Pratley drag half the Thurrock team over the line with him, only for Ian to give it held up. The scrum was 5 metres from, a position these new ELVs mean you really score from. And this time it was the backs turn to provide some sparkle, the ball being looped and then got wide to Adam who went over in the corner he’d be given in touch in earlier. The conversion missed, 39-7 Brentwood.

And then Brentwood decided nap time was on the cards again allowing Thurrock to run in what seemed to be a training ground move. Credit to Thurrock they were never going to give up but Brentwood’s defence should definitely have coped better. The conversion missed, 39-12 Brentwood.

Brentwood however were set to finish with a flourish.  A 5 metre scrum was won against the head and James was only ever going one way and that was straight towards the try line where he lunged quite spectacularly to secure his hat trick try and lighten Jim’s wallet for a jug…Charlie nailed a great conversion from wide out, 46-12 Brentwood.

But perhaps the biggest flourish of all was that from Chris McCarthy just before the end of the game as he took off on a sprint down the wing. As Keith was heard to exclaim, “Was that McCarthy showing outstanding pace and sprinting past the winger?! Never thought I’d see it!” It didn’t result in a try but nonetheless it’s definitely worthy of a mention!