What a day at the Middx Tournament

By Colm Foley

Report entered on behalf of Lisa Finch U7s Manager

What a day for the U7s at the Middlesex Tournament held at Grasshoppers. In the face of torrential rain and a wind that blew the team’s gazebo down, the boys performed outstandingly well. Despite narrowly losing the 1st 2 games against pre-tournament favourites Finchley (5-4) and Ealing A (7-5), the boys came storming back in the most horrendous conditions (hail, rain, wind and standing water on the pitch!!) to win their final pool game against Barnes (7-4).

Match One – Finchley 5 – 4 Harrow
A very tight game with the lead changing hands a number of times. The team started well; taking an early advantage thanks to a brace of tries by Eoin McGivney. But notwithstanding some great defence from Ben Brownleader (including the tag of the day), an occasional lack of concentration when not in possession led to Finchley coming right back either side of half time. As the rain began to fall even harder, and despite some great scores by Eoin (making it his 1st hat-trick in a tournament) and Ben Hutton a resurgent Finchley held on to win by a single score.
Try Scorers: Eoin 3, Ben H 1.

Match 2 – Ealing 7 – 5 Harrow
The boys continued to play great rugby in their second match of the day and started off brightly against a very big, fast and strong Ealing team, scoring the opening try of the game, through some inspired wing play by Jamie, sprinting around their defence to touch down in the corner. With some amazing footwork and strong dynamic running Ben Hutton scored two tremendous individual trys either side of half time to keep us in the game. Great support play by both Aiden and John led to them rounding off two brilliant team moves to score their first tournament trys for the club. Despite some amazing tagging in defence by Finlay, Ben B, Nathan and John a late burst of strong running by Ealing saw them narrowly running out winners.

Try Scorers: Ben H 2, Jamie S, Aidan, John

Match 3 – Barnes 4 – 7 Harrow
They say that when the going gets tough, the tough get going and that was never truer than in the torrential rain of the final Pool Game. There was hail, standing water and a freezing wind – but undeterred, the Harrow U7 boys took to the field in the knowledge that only a convincing win would put them through to the next round as second runners up in their pool. With the defence firing on all cylinders (stand up for Saracens Freddie, Nathan and Anthony) and Finley Hiorns scoring an outstanding hat-trick (with Eoin and Jamie bagging a brace each) the result was never in doubt. And neither was the spirit in which our team approached the game – always smiling and always giving their best – well done.

Try Scorers: Finley 3, Eoin 2, Jamie 2

Unfortunately, the weather had taken its toll, both on the pitch and also the less robust teams, and the organisers decided to postpone the remainder of the tournament. We await the chance to play in the knock out rounds.

Lisa Finch
U7s Manager

Results
Sun 6 Mar
a
U7 (Year 1&2) Rosslyn Park
Festival 20 – 40
W
Sun 27 Feb
a
U7 (Year 1&2) Fullerians
Friendly 60 – 70
W
a
U7 (Year 1&2) Fullerians
Friendly 45 – 50
W

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