Development Game v Old B's

Old Brentwoods RFC U16 v Thurrock RFC U16 (Friendly) 16.10.16

Ts travelled to North Brentwood to play new rivals, and League 2 new comers, Old Brentwoods, who after last week’s Golden Boot Tournament were down a few players.
Ts were supposed to have had 24 players travelling but with 1 pulling out with a chest infection and 3 others liking their bed too much, ended up with 20. As it was a development game, and Old Bs were struggling, Ts had 3 willing volunteers in Jack Cowman, Jamie Davis & Scott Ramsden who were prepared to put their Ts teammates through their paces.

Ts did not have it all their own way as they struggled to keep their composure and possession. However after 10mins they were getting more and more into the game, and from an attacking scrum, Alf powered over for a try which H converted. After another pensive period, another Ts attack saw the ball whipped through the hands and Alf was over again for his second, which was converted by H again.
Despite some good runs from Jack & Scott, Ts were able to thwart Old Bs attacks, and take away possession and actually give it to Jake who managed to keep hold of the ball and have a run nearly full length only for a good tackle by Old Bs, but Jake was able to pop it up to some fine support work by Leylen, who was able to drop over for his first try for Thurrock. H added the extras to give Ts a half time lead of 21 – 0.

Second half was more of the same with some silly errors, try line fever creeping in, but some good phase work. One 5m scrum saw the ball whipped out right down the line for Jake to run in for a try in the corner which was just outside Harry’s range. More pressure from Ts gave them a penalty 10m out and through quick thinking and quick hands, the ball was put through hands for Blake to score in the corner, which again was just outside H’s range.
From the restart, the ball found its way to Mark, who fancied a run…and he kept running, skipping through tackles and waltz over for try which H converted. It was clear that Old Bs were tiring, and even the 3 Ts players looked like they were lagging a bit after their efforts, and the tiredness was exploited once more as Fergie received the ball from the restart and went on a run through several players, and was able to set up a ruck which again saw the ball whipped put through hands for Leylen to dance over for his second and the last try of the game. Harry converted again, getting 5 from 7 conversions.

Men of the match, undoubtedly for their shear doggedness in trying to get Ts to work harder and pass the ball through hands has to be the 3 volunteers playing for Old Bs, Cowman, Davis & Ramsden.

Result;
Old Brentwoods RFC U16s 0 - 45 Thurrock U16s
Tries: Alfie Bailey x 2
Leylen Harwood x 2
Jake Martin
Blake Burns
Mark Ikhifa
Cons: Harry Edmunds x 5

Next week, Ts have their first League game of the season…yes you guessed it, AWAY to Chelmsford