UNDER 12

On Saturday the u12's represented Stanford Rugby Club at the prestigious Landrover Cup. This elite festival attracts some of the most talented sides in the country, with the finalists having the privilege to form a "tunnel of honour" at the Wasps home ground at Adams Park. England and Wasps captain Tom Rees and Wasps hooker Tom Lindsay also made a surprise visit and spoke at length with the redmen, offering advice and praise, with photographs and autographs for everyone (including the coaches).

After an early start and long coach trip the boys had just an hour to switch on before their first pool game.

SLH 25 - 0 Slough

From the first kick off, Stanford dominated this game, scoring freely and making a statement. Charlie Downs showed his strength scoring 3 tries with great style. Full back Nico Pike also made the most of the weaker defense, running in 2 tries with an added diving display to ground the ball. The Stanford pack controlled the game with Captain Callum Jones putting his body on the line at the breakdown and rucking superbly. At half time with the opportunity to rest players, the boys carried on where they left off with wave after wave of attack, but Slough dug deep and began to defend and show why they were there. Slough finished off the day as "fair play winners" and are a credit to their Rugby Club.

Try Scorers:- Charlie Downes 3, Nico Pike 2.

SLH 10 - 10 Witney

Little known Witney were Stanfords next opponents and this was to be a much tighter affair with both sides dogged in their defense. Stanford gained the upper hand in the first half, Tom Thurston and Jack Pearce were a nuisance and Christian Wood really shone in this physical encounter with all of the pack contributing. James Heys had to be quick as Witney looked to break the gain line where eventually with increasing aggression they scored their first try. With heads beginning to drop Witney quickly scored again to draw the game very much against the run of the play.

Stanford had to wait for the rest of the pool games to finish before a try count decided who would go through to the semi-final. Fortunately, with more tries scored and less conceded, the redmen won the group and relished the chance to play last years Landrover Cup finalists Marlow.

Try Scorers:- Charlie Downes, Nico Pike.

SLH 5 - 5 Marlow

In a winner takes all semi-final and a chance to run out at Adams Park this was always going to be a tough game. Scrum half Sam Egar had his work cut out digging the ball out at every ruck where Stanford matched their opponents. It was unfortunate that Marlow scored first with a well worked move but instead of heads dropping the boys raised their game, new boys Jacob Cushing and Tristan Ikhifa making valuable contributions to the game. William Ryan and Connor Houlihan were up setting the line out and enjoyed the battle against a very well organised forward pack. At the final whistle, with the match drawn it was Stanford that went through to the final due to another try count back. Nothing should be taken away from the boys who really were putting Stanford Rugby Club on the map, with many of their opponents supporters asking where the boys were based and commenting on their good manners,sporting conduct and were even more surprised about the size of the squad considering the average team they were up against had fifty or more players!

Try Scorers:- Charlie Downes.

Landrover Cup Final

SLH 0 - 25 Brighton

Stanford now had to face one of the best under 12's teams in the country in a final in which Brighton put on a mesmerising display of running rugby scoring 5 tries, but playing many years ahead of their actual ages. The redmen never gave up and fought to the end in this fantastic final.

Our thanks go out the London Wasps Community Manager Dave Larham and all of the Wasps support staff and players who made the day one of the best that a 12 year old boy could have and  the coaches and parents alike! Special thanks to Brighton RFC and their coaches for their kind words. Also big thanks to Stanford coaches, Mums and Dads for their support and best wishes, it is really appreciated. Lastly, big thanks to Jo Mathews for all her hard work in making the day happen.