Thurrock RFC U16 v Westcliff RFC U16

Thurrock RFC U16 v Westcliff RFC U16 v (R2 Essex Cup) 30.10.16

The 2nd round of the cup saw a rematch of last year’s Cup Final, as Ts welcomed Westcliff to Oakfield.
With T’s depleted to a bare 22, with 5 injuries and 5 unavailable, the boys were asked to step up and play for pride and the badge!

As the game got underway, Ts were up for it and were putting pressure on Westcliff straight from the start. The forwards did as instructed, phase 1, phase 2 then the hands out the backs and in to Sean’s hands on the wing who darted over in the corner for Ts first score. Harry was just short with the conversion.
Ts soaked up pressure from the restart, and from an attacking ruck, Brendan had a run weaving through would be tacklers, but some excellent support play saw the ball end up in Mark’s hands who ran in near the posts for Harry to convert, to lead 12 nil.
The next 15mins was a very even battle between 2 very talented sides which was a joy to watch, nerve wrecking, but exciting. Westcliff being one of the best teams in Essex, were not going to lie down and exerted more pressure on Ts back line and pulled back a converted try before half time to make it 12 – 7.

As the second half got underway, it was Westcliff in the ascendancy scoring 2 unconverted tries to take the lead 12 – 17. Ts recomposed themselves and started playing their game again, instead of letting Westcliff play theirs. They defended better with some big tackles from Mark & Harry.
Then came an opportunity…from the back of a ruck, Alex got the ball up and ran up the wing, lie a winger and dived in the corner. After some close scrutiny the try was awarded, but Harry was unlucky with the extras…back to parity.
Ts feeling good about the score were not quite back down to earth as Westcliff attacked after the restart and scored again in the corner, missing the conversion to lead 17 – 22. The game was opening up, with holes appearing and scrambling defence called upon. As luck would have it Ts had a turn over just inside their own half, and Mark decided to have a run, and with some interaction with Asa, got the ball back and scored…parity again at the close of the game…the referee said the kick was last play…
Up stepped Charlie in Harry’s absence…and it was soooo close!
Game finished 22 – 22, which was a fantastic result from a fantastic game from 2 very equal sides. The boys shook hands and gave hugs with each other, as both sides knew they were involved in one of the best games of the season to date.

Alas, rules being rules, there would be no replay/rematch, as the Essex book of rules states in the event of a tie in a cup competition, the away side prevails, and goes through to the next round.

The boys, today set themselves a higher standard of rugby, surpassing that they set themselves in the first round against Upminster, and now all the boys out through injury & illness have to work even harder to get back in to this ever improving team. WELL DONE THURROCK U16s.

Result;
Thurrock RFC U16s 22 - 22 Westcliff RFC U16s
Tries:
Mark Ikhifa x 2
Sean Ivie
Alex Koigi
Cons:
Harry Edmunds (1)

Westcliff;
4 x tries
1 x con

Ts are, surprise surprise, away next week for development game against Epping Upper Clapton