| UNDER 7
This week saw the U7's on tour to Hastings and the Uckfield RFC Festival.
The U7's were put in a very strong pool, and considering a couple of late nights, played some of their best rugby to date, showing some good skills in all areas of the game. Unfortunately only winning one game, drawing one and eventually losing two closely fought games against some strong opposition, with some harsh decisions from the referees and therefore not progressing to the knockout stages.
Pool Games
CRAWLEY 25 STANFORD 30
Try Scorers : Thomas Cubitt 4, Clarice Frampton-Webb and James Ramsey.
CROWBOROUGH 25 STANFORD 20
Try Scorers : Thomas Cubitt 2, Clarice Frampton-Webb and Cerys Jones.
BRIGHTON 35 STANFORD 20
Try Scorers : Thomas Cubitt 4
EASTBOURNE 20 STANFORD 20
Try Scorers : Thomas Cubitt 4 Many thanks to Kyle Howard from the U8's who played down so we could put a team out. The Coaches would like to thank and say that all the U7's should be very proud of their efforts and showing good discipline as well as behaviour throughout the season.
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UNDER 8
BRIGHTON GOLD 10 STANFORD 35
The day started with a comfortable win over one of the Brighton sides at the festival, with revenge gained for last years 25-0 defeat.
Scorers: Jack Knight 3, Vinny Gordon 2, Zack Burdett and Max Clarke.
EAST GRINSTEAD 30 STANFORD 20
The boys were immediately thrown into the second game with only a minute or two to regain their breath and the combination of this along with a good E Grinstead side and the effects of looking after their parents over the previous two evenings was too much and they lost out in a good encounter.
Try scorers were Vinny Gordon 2, Ben Kelly and Jack Knight.
A special mention should go to Vinny for continuing after hurting his ankle because of a lack of substitutes to replace him.
EASTBOURNE 20 STANFORD 5
An incident filled, bad tempered match should probably be glossed over except to give praise to Ben for continuing after coming off worse when coming in contact with the 18 stone 6 foot six kiwi referee. Stanford's try was scored by Jack Knight.
Parents' player of the day was Johnny Parker for some good runs and offloads. The coach was impressed with all 7 boys who played, as they didn't let the late nights and lack of substitutes affect their determination throughout the competition. |
UNDER 9
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UNDER 10
Pool Game 1
CRANBROOK 0 STANFORD 10
The U10's made a fantastic start to their tour by beating a strong Cranbrook side that just could not match the power of the Stanford pack. Unfortunately, Callum Jones picked up a suspected broken nose but battled on with the whole team who were playing at the top of their game.
Scorers: Aiden Cronin, Daniel McAllister.
Pool Game 2
EASTBOURNE 0 STANFORD 20
Unfortunately for Eastbourne , even after two late nights, the boys kept up the pressure and pace allowing for a convincing win.
Scorers: Brannon Gower, Nico Pike, Callum Jones, Thomas Thurston.
Pool Game 3
BRIGHTON REDS 10 STANFORD 5
With Brighton breezing past every team they faced the red men knew they were in for a game, and what a game it was. With both sets of parents sharing their support and respect for the boys, this should have been the U10's final. Had it not been for a loose ball being grounded in the last seconds of the game, Stanford could have come away with a draw that would have been as good as winning the festival. Brighton U10's have around 78 players and a professional coaching team. Stanford put in their best performance of the season and every boy wore their shirt with pride.
Scorers: Thomas Thurston.
Pool Game 4
CROWBOROUGH 5 STANFORD 5
The red men had to dig deep in what was to be the final game of the season. After a fantastic weekend and a couple of late nights along with an almighty battle against Brighton , Stanford could only manage a draw against a strong and physical side.
Scorer: Charlie Downes.
Coaches' comments: This season, having fielded two teams, the U10's have won a total of 38 games with only 8 losses and 2 draws. They have conceded 34 tries between both teams and scored 222. Both Daren and Gary are immensely proud of all the boys and their parents and look forward to next season if not a little greyer and having probably have lost a few years!
Special thanks to Jen, Jo, Tony, Kyran and Colin.
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UNDER 11
HELLINGLY & UCKFIELD 0 STANFORD 15
Stanford got off to a good start despite some late nights, dominating possession with a brilliant display by the forwards and some great tackling by the backs. Try Scorers: Paul Carter 2, Alfie Edmeades.
CRAWLEY 0 STANFORD 25
The forward domination continued, with solid scrums and lineouts and great pick and drives. With the team growing in confidence and working as a team, the backs ran at the Crawley defence and scored some good tries. Try Scorers: Liam Brunger, Louis Webb, Alfie Edmeades, Dan O'Flaherty, Josh Gochmanski.
CRANBROOK 0 STANFORD 10
Another brilliant display against tough opposition in what was the group decider. Prop Paul Carter and second row Louis Webb shone in another pack display to be proud of, with some deft touches from Josh Gochmanski at fly half. Try Scorers: Liam Brunger, Josh Gochmanski.
Semi Final
SEVENOAKS 5 STANFORD 5
By now, the team were firing on all cylinders and playing with loads of confidence and belief. They camped on Sevenoaks' line for much of the match with some good tactical kicking and tough tackling, but could not get the decisive try and Sevenoaks went through to the final on the toss of a coin.
The referee congratulated all the players and said it was one of the best games he had ever been involved in.
A desperate way to go out, but a wonderful team performance from a team now brimming with confidence. The team deserved to be in the final, but it wasn't to be.
Shame the season's over. Try Scorer: Paul Carter. |
UNDER 12
CRAWLEY 10 STANFORD 20
Stanford took a while to wake up in the opening game but they eventually took control and ended up worthy winners.
Tries: Ryan Cronin 4.
EASTBOURNE 15 STANFORD 0
It looked like the two late nights kicked in in the second game, Stanford were just not playing and against a very strong pack it was proving a hopeless task, however the boys did not give up and fought every inch of the way.
CROWBOROUGH 0 STANFORD 30
The Essex boys returned to form in their last pool game, the forwards controlled a big Crowborough pack and the backs used the ball intelligently, a high point which pleased the enthusiastic spectators was a rare try from busy prop Nathan Putnam.
Final
EASTBOURNE 5 STANFORD 0
Just where the Stanford lads got their energy levels from is a mystery. The festival could not have had a better final, Stanford's walking wounded turned out a display of skill, determination and sheer guts.
Eastbourne scored after a prolonged forward attack and just managed to cross the line, then the crowd were treated to a great game, the attack and defence of both sides was awesome and it was a very relieved Eastbourne side when the final whistle was blown.
The coaches and parents would like to say a BIG thank you to all the boys for their effort and determination.
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