Maldon RFC U16 v Thurrock RFC U16

Maldon RFC U16 v Thurrock RFC U16 (Friendly) 20.11.16

Due to no facilities at Blackheath, we were forced to cancel the game there, but found Maldon were up for a game at their place – so 23 of the 32 man squad travelled, although 1 was already injured, and another left before playing due to feeling unwell, so the 21 were raring to go.
With Maldon currently top of League 2, Ts were expecting a close game with a mixed strength team.

Ts started well and with recent coaching tips from Damian Burns, their line speed in defence was immense, and from one such defensive line, Elonas, (stood somewhat out of position at centre), raced up and intercepted a pass to sprint in for the first score., which was unconverted.
Although their line speed was impressive, it was at times too keen, and they kept giving away penalty after penalty for creeping off side – 1 such penalty was kicked by Maldon for 3 pts. Ts reeled it back a bit and played well for the next 10mins, before Elonas had a great break and looked as if he was going all the way but was able to pop the ball to Blake to dive over for another unconverted try.
Shortly after the restart Ts kept the pressure up and intensity which seemed to be a bit up and down in the first half – they played some good phase work, and from 1 such phase the ball was popped out from the back of a ruck to an on rushing Jack Cowman, who picked his line perfectly to burst through for an unconverted try, to take a half time lead of 15 – 3.

Some more changes at half time saw all 22 get a run out…however the disruption seemed to unsettle the team as Maldon responded with 2 unconverted tries in the first 10mins, to get within 2, (15 – 13).
The coaches made some quick changes to bring some stability back to the team, and this seemed to steady the Maldon fight back, and Ts were able to apply their own pressure.
An attacking scrum some 10-15m out saw Blake pick and go from the base and score in the corner. Another Ts attack saw more pressure being applied after some great work in the midfield, only for a wayward pass get picked up by Maldon which turned attack into defence…and defend they did, not only that, they were able to break out and with some fantastic link play and support, Blake was in for his hat trick – which was converted.
Ts were back in the ascendancy although this was broken by some unsavoury events which saw Maldon get a red & yellow, and Kole unfortunately taking a yellow for the team.
Composure restored, it was business as usual for Ts as more pressure resulted in a Maldon scuffed clearance kick which landed in Jake’s hands, (yes he caught it), and he raced in for another converted try. From the restart Ts were buoyant and some swift hands brought the play to around halfway, where the ball was popped out to the backs, and the straight running Jordan burst through tackles and sprinted clear to score under the sticks for another converted try.
In the dying seconds, from another powerful attack, the forwards sucked most of the Maldon players in on a ruck and phase play, and then ball was whipped out the backs for Brendan, (another wannabe centre), to roll about 20 times over the line, for the 4th converted try in a row.
A good run out for the team, and hopefully some valuable game time for the development team mixed with the Essex training squad members, and with another similar game at home next week, this is a good time for them gain some valuable experience.

Result;
Maldon RFC U16s 13 - 48 Thurrock RFC U16s
Tries: 2 x Try
Pens: 1 x Penalty

TRFC;
Tries: Blake Burns x 3, Elonas Butrimas, Jack Cowman, Jake Martin, Jordan Steward. Brendan Lynas
Cons: Harry Edmunds (4 cons)

Next week, Ts have a home game against Eton Manor, which is another Development/Friendly game