ESSEX FESTIVAL - Westcliff - 1st March 2009
UNDER 7 BURNHAM 30 STANFORD 25 Stanford Under 7's saved their best rugby of the season so far for the Essex Festival. Stanford lost their opening game 30-25 to Burnham and were unfortunate on a couple of occasions where decsions went against them. Scorers for Stanford were Harry Jones 2, Finlay Maher, Tom Oughton, and Ryan Blyde. BRAINTREE 25 STANFORD 30 The second game saw Stanford defeat a very strong Braintree side 30-25 with Alfie Desmond 2, Ewan Wood 2 and Harry Jones 2 scoring. CHELMSFORD 25 STANFORD 25 The final game of the group against Chelmsford ended 25-25 which left Stanford second in the group. Scorers: Finlay Maher 2, Harry Jones, Tom Oughton and Jake Dean scoring his first try. SOUTHEND 50 STANFORD 35 In the Semi-final Stanford were beaten 50-35 by Southend. Against a very well drilled team Stanford competed throughout and were rewarded with 7 scores. Try scorers for Stanford were Harry Jones 3, Alfie Desmond 2, Tom Oughton and Jack Lanney. |
UNDER 9 SOUTHEND 40 STANFORD 10 Stanford started slowly and Southend's superior rucking and passing began to tell almost at once. Stanford fought hard and managed 2 tries (one each from Jack Knight and Max Clarke). SOUTH WOODHAM 0 STANFORD 35 This was Stanford's best game of the day with their normal hard tackling and great support play being in evidence. Max Clarke and Callum Newton both scored hat-tricks with Jack Knight scoring the other try. WESTCLIFF 50 STANFORD 5 Stanford's toughest match of the day was against the eventual winners who out muscled us with the biggest forwards so far faced by Stanford. Stanford managed a single try in response by Max Clarke which was the only one let in by Westcliff all day. This left stanford third in the group and a semi-final against Chingford in the Bowl competition. CHINGFORD 5 STANFORD 5 Stanford were tired at this stage with their single sub unable to play, the remaining players dug deep and fought out a hard fought and honourable draw against Chingford. Stanford's try came from Callum Newton. The rules of the competetion meant that Stanford progressed to the final due to their bonus point win over SWF. UPPER CLAPTON 0 STANFORD 0 Stanford's tired players put in one more effort against a pacy UC side and fought out another hard draw. Stanford probably edged the first half, but spent most of the second close to their own try line. Some superb defensive tackles were made by all players in this game. This final score meant that Stanford and Upper Clapton shared the trophy. However, Upper Clapton are due to visit next week and both sets of coaches have decided to make the first game a decider for who will keep the trophy. All ten players fought hard and nearly all suffered some injuries at some point with Stanford down to 8 players at times against Westcliff, so parents and coaches were very proud of all their efforts. However, one player stood out for his defensive efforts with a number of try (and match) saving tackles and that was Callum Newton. |