Hasting's Festival - U10's report

After last weeks training games at Chichester Shoreham"s under 10s travelled to Hastings for the seasons first festival.

Placed in Pool A with the stronger teams we were always going to face a stern test of our newly learnt rucking and mauling techniques.

In the first game Shoreham took on the physically large side of Eastbourne. Here our speed and determination saw us win a close game 2-1 with a first try for debutant Ben Harrison and a second from Frankie.

The second matched us against Haywards Heath, a tie that has historically produced tight games which Shoreham have invariably been on the losing end of. With tenacious tackling from all the travelling supporters were treated to a thrilling game which Heath levelled 3-3 in the closing minute. The pick of Shoreham's tries was touched down by Jake who had been put into space by a beautifully weighted pass from Reuban following one of his signature surging runs.The other tries went to A.J. using his speed to slip the defenders and the second of the day to Ben.

Shoreham started the third tie against a quick and well drilled Lewes poorly. Trailing at half time to a try that had all too easily sucked in our defence before being stretched out wide by some fine passing rugby. With renewed vigour in the second half Shoreham kept their composure to attack the Lewes line again and again. It wasn't until the referee had called final play and with possession with Lewes that we struck. Harry stopped their runner midfield kept him upright and span him round for Stan to rip the ball from his grasp. Stan scampered up the wing to touchdown an equalising try injuring his ankle in the process.

With a few walking wounded amongst their ranks we took on Heathfield A in the last of our pool games. Not wanting to make the same mistake twice we started with our usual high intensity. Strong tackling from all but particularly Jonas, Raphael and Jake meant Heathfield struggled to get much of a foothold in the game. A wonderful try from Thomas on the back of more sterling work from Reuban put us 1-0 up at half time. The tie was effectively won early in the second half after two more fine solo tries Ben. Heathfield did come back into it with a try of their own before the game produced the day's stand out moment. Ben Cracknell claimed the ball in the loose, evaded two tackles before dropping his shoulder and putting one of their larger players on the seat of his pants. Size has little relevance with technique as good as that.

So with two wins and two draws Shoreham finished a creditable second and look forward to visiting the eventual winners Crowborough in three weeks time.