Thurrock RFC U16 v Romford RFC U16

Thurrock RFC U16 v Romford RFC U16 (League 1, R2) 13.11.16

Ts were home for their second League game of the season having narrowly lost at Chelmsford in the first round. Strengthened by the return of some players from injury Ts were confident of keeping their unbeaten home record, albeit 1 win and 1 draw!
There was added rivalry between the teams as boys from both sides frequent schools in Dagenham and also Ts hooker Jamie was coming face to face with his cousin Billy in the Romford front row.

Prior to KO of the teams lined up and observed an impeccable 2min silence for Remembrance Sunday, before battle commenced.
From the off Ts pressed hard and were driving the Romford pack in the scrum and rucks showing they mean business, and their defence was just as solid, with firm tackles and counter rucking. From a lost ruck, Ts rushed the Romford backs forcing an error, and from the resulting play, the ball was whipped through forwards hands in the backs to Jake on the wing to run in the try. Harry, from a tight angle on the left was able to drag the ball in for the extras to give Ts a deserved lead.
Ts were still showing their dominance and kept probing but silly errors/mistakes were thwarting their own attacks. However a penalty move worked on in training on Thursday, and adapted in the warm up was put to use 15m out…’Double Decker’…tap, pass then pop to the on running Elonas who smashed through 2 or 3 tackles to go in under the posts for another converted try.
Romford heads were starting to drop and Ts took advantage of this straight from the restart as Fergie caught it, whipped it across a couple of hands before finding Blake on the other side of the pitch who then pumped his legs through 2-3 would be tacklers to score under the posts for H to convert again.
Despite Romford’s best efforts, they could not penetrate Ts defence, despite camping on Ts 5m line some sterling work from Scott rampaging through Romford’s ruck was able to punt the ball clear, to keep it 21 to nil at half time.
The second half remained very even, with attack turning in to defence turning into attack.
Romford tried everything to get back in the game and despite Ts receiving 2 yellow cards, 1 for a high tackle and another for lifting a player off his feet, Ts held Romford out to nil – a magnificent achievement in front of quite a few Thurrock supporters.

All 22 boys had a run out and played very well – a great league win against a good Romford side…well done boys…a nice test next week away to Blackheath, who they met in the Rye festival, 2014-15, at U14 level.

Result;
Thurrock RFC U16s 21 - 0 Romford RFC U16s
Tries:
Jake Martin
Elonas Butrimas
Blake Burns
Cons: Harry Edmunds x 3

Next week, Ts travel to Blackheath for a friendly game with a very famous club.