Upminster at home

Thurrock RFC U16 v Upminster RFC U16 (Friendly) 04.09.16

Sunday 4th September saw Thurrock shake the cobwebs off as they embark on the forthcoming season. With several boys still on holiday and others still not registered, Ts pitched up with 21 boys raring to go. Their opponents, a team played 3 times last season, Upminster turned up with 30+ players, probably thanks to their promotion to League 1 looking to get their season and new players off to a good start.

With some big units in their line up along with their numbers, Upminster set about the game with purpose testing Ts defence and probing for weaknesses along with kicking the ball deep looking for openings. Thurrock stood firm and probed themselves, but after the first 20mins the 2 sides could not be separated.
The next 20mins saw some changes from both teams, and it was Thurrock that struck first with some fine play from Irish at Upminster’s lineout, Fergie was able to pounce on the ball from a ruck to give Ts their first points of the season. From the tight angle Moorsey slotted the extras.
Within the same ‘third’, Thurrock saw their continued pressure pay off, with a rumbustious run from Big Daddy, who probably could have scored himself, flicked the ball to the forever supporting and yet very loud Cage, formerly known as Daddy Long Legs, to place the ball under the posts to make it easier for Moorsey to slot the extras.
The last 30mins were played in 2 x 15mins sessions. With further changes giving all 21 of Thurrock’s players, game time, it was Upminster that exploited some slack attempts at tackles to get on the score sheet with an unconverted try.
However it was Ts that had the last say, literally, as the ever talking Cage/Chitty, burst through Upminster’s tiring defence to score his second and Ts third, which was unconverted this time round.

Fantastic game played with great spirit by both teams, saw Thurrock get off to a winning start. Some super individual performances but even better team performance with some great combinations and some forthcoming headaches for the coaches…

Result;
Thurrock U16s 19 - 5 Upminster U16s
Tries: Harry Ferguson 1 Try
Charlie Chitty x 2

Cons: Jimmy Moore (2)

Next week Thurrock U16s have another home game against Woodford.