Unbeaten Welwyn Miss Out On Top Prize

Last Sunday we went to defend the trophy we had won last year at the Richmond Festival and despite some of the most atrocious weather witnessed this year the festival went ahead.

We had a similar draw to last year but this time we would also meet Newport from Wales. In game one we were up against Sutton and Epsom and unfortunately did not warm up at all. In a bruising encounter (Kyle has a lovely black eye to prove it!) we missed too many tags, especially the crucial 7th to get the turnover ball. This would eventually cost us dearer than just a point we lost for drawing 6-6. Kier grabbed a hat trick and further tries from Jack and Alfie 2 secured us a point but it was not the sort of start we were hoping for.

In game 2 we got a chance to get the attacking formation in to gear as we brushed aside the Richmond team by 6 tries to 4. The win was never in doubt and we were beginning to show glimpses of some of our earlier season form. Angus Laws-Mather marshalled the defence well, and tries from Jack 2, Joey, Keir, Kyle, Alfie and Saul gave a good all round team effort feel to the performance.

Game 3 was the key game of the group. We were up against a Rosslyn Park side who we had beaten in the group stages and in the Final last season to win the cup. It was an end to end encounter with some great flowing rugby in difficult conditions on show. In the early stages we traded tries with Jack and Alfie crossing the line. We then slipped up (quite literally!) and soon found ourselves trailing by 2 at the half time break. We came out in determined mood knowing that a defeat would certainly end our chances of retaining our crown. Again both sides showed good attacking intention and continued to trade tries (both ours were scored by Alfie). With the score at 6-4 to Rosslyn Park and with only about a minute to go all seemed lost for our boys. However they showed fantastic character to push on for one last big effort and as quick as a flash, Alfie pounced on 2 Rosslyn Park errors to level things up at 6 -6 and take his personal total to 5 in the game! It was a stunned opposition who were mighty relieved to hear the final whistle.

This draw meant that we now knew that qualification for the Cup Final was not in our own hands. The boys did not let this affect them as they were determined that they could take advantage of any Rosslyn Park slip ups and went into the last 2 games in confident mood. Market Bosworth were the first to feel the Welwyn backlash as we began to orchestrate the tempo of the games. A 6-3 win was by no means flattering to our play as tries from Joey, Keir 2, Kyle, Alfie and Saul punished the opposition's every mistake.

Unfortunately we went into our final game with our fate sealed as Rosslyn Park had finished their set of matches with another win. Not to be deterred however we still wanted to finish the tournament on a high and we knew that if we won the last game we would win the Plate. On Saturday the Welsh national team had celebrated a deserved Grand Slam but this time it was the English who were smiling as we emphatically despatched Newport back down the M4. 8 tries were scored by our boys and only one was conceded in reply. Cameron and Alfie both grabbed a brace with the other tries coming from a great solo effort from Guy and some good team tries finished off by Joey, Keir and Kyle.

So Cameron as Captain for the day went up to receive yet another trophy for our talented squad to end what was a very trying (and extremely cold and wet) day! In addition, during the group phase, the boys scored more tries than any other Under 8 side, conceded less than any other team and remained unbeaten on the day. Well done boys, you did Welwyn RFC proud!

Under 8's at Richmond

 

Under 8's at Richmond