Sudbury RFC U16 v Thurrock RFC U16

Sudbury RFC U16 v Thurrock RFC U16 - (League 1, R4) 12.02.17
Thurrock travelled up to Sudbury, for the 3rd year in a row, having suffered 12 – 7 defeats in the previous 2 seasons, and a full 22 man squad to pick from. Sudbury on the other hand only had 13 available, for the League game, so Thurrock reduced their starting 15 to 13, by dropping 2 flankers to the bench, reinforcing the bench to 9 players.

Although seemingly matched with T’s boasting 8 Essex DPP players, and Sudbury 4 Northampton & 4 other County based DPP players, it was Thurrock looking sharp from the start despite the hour long journey, and from a quickly taken penalty the backs whipped the ball through their hands and Mark danced his way over the line near the corner. From the tight angle, Harry Edmunds slotted the extras. The game remained very even, similar to the previous 2 contests, and a lapse of concentration saw Sudbury burst through some poor tackles to score under the posts, which was converted to square things up.
From the restart Ts went through a series of phases keeping possession and the ball got to Mark again, who seemed to be making up for lost time, again danced through the Sudbury line for his & Thurrock’s 2nd try. Despite his great effort earlier, H was just wide with the extras. The score was 12 – 7, a very popular score line between these 2 sides!!
As the game went on the next score seemed to be critical. Sudbury started pushing hard to get back on terms and were flicking the ball about looking for gaps, but Chaz was alert to this, and read a pass perfectly from just inside his own half and ran to score under the posts, for Harry to add the extras…day light between the 2 teams at half time, 19 – 7.

After the break, the teams continued the slog in the forwards and closing down in the backs, but it was Sudbury who scored first with another converted try, to bring it back to within 5. Ts did not panic and settled themselves…then from out of nowhere, (and is making a habit of this), Kole broke from the back of a ruck and ran into open field, looking around for support, he kept running and realising there was no one in front put on the after burners…no one was catching him today. Harry added the extras to extend Ts lead again. The next 10mins were intense with some big tackles, rucks & mauls, one of which reduced Sudbury by a further 1 player, and the referee in his own wisdom ordered one of Ts players off as he wanted to even the teams up to the discontent of the Thurrock coach who was not consulted on this!
However the reduced players, (from the backs), opened up more space, and were exploited by Jake and Jimmy who had the gas, (in Jimmy’s case, only just), to make it to the posts. Harry converted both tries to give Ts a generous final score of 40 – 14.

A great game by the boys bettering their previous run in League 1, and ousting the hoodoo of Sudbury.
With 8 games to go, 4 development, 3 in the League and an Essex Plate Final to go, things are looking very good for the team.

Result;
Sudbury RFC U16s 14 - 40 Thurrock RFC U16s
Sudbury;
Tries: 2
Cons: 2

Thurrock;
Tries:
Mark Ikhifa 2
Charlie Chitty
Kole Awosika
Jake Martin
Jimmy Moore
Cons: Harry Edmunds 5

Next week Ts are depleted by the Essex DPP boys going to a festival at Saracens ground, (Allianz Pk), but have a home game against Old Colfeians, from Kent.