Under clear skies...

Our own Bard of the Beccehamians, the incomparable Metal Sparks, reports from beneath the unexpectedly sunny skies of South London (photo courtesy of ‘Snapper’ Goddard)…

After some heavy rainfall through the night - and with more forecast - it seemed we were doomed to play underwater rugby again, only this time in Sarf London instead of Leafy Sussex. Parents and spectators all turning up in their best rain-beating apparel, with umbrellas a-plenty. A pitch inspection was deemed necessary before the game could commence…but the sky did appear to be clearing.

Given the go ahead by the groundsman, both teams took a long warm up, practicing drills and moves etc. It was strange to see Colfes fields so quiet and empty: all previous minis visits have been to festivals with the clubhouse and pitches covered in an array of tents, players, paraphernalia and barbecues. Life as juniors, as promised, is indeed different in many ways.

Beccs again had a strong squad of 26 players whilst Colfes only had 18. All in the right shirts this week. So, under what was now a clear blue sunny sky, on a perfect, softish but dry pitch, waterproofs and umbrellas were shed, and the three periods of 20 minutes were started. Beccs started really well - winning the first scrum and going through the phases, retaining possession, and steadily moving up the field. The dynamic Mathew made one of his characteristic runs to the right and then, when nobody could hold him, broke again toward the middle. Ball recycled and Fullback Bertie sped into the line with an arcing run to score out in the left corner. Miles gave the conversion a real good go but just missed.

From the restart Beccs came again and, although a three-man overlap was missed on the right side, the ball came back and - with a loop around to make the extra man - Miles put himself in to score. Miles gave the conversion a real good go only to hit the post (he was getting closer!). Colfes now started to play, with aggressive counter-rucking and much more solid defensive work; making Beccs’ ball scrappy and with less room to work in. A period of stalemate existed but eventually Beccs scored from a crash ball penalty with Sonny going over after being fouled in what looked like to be successful maul.

The second 20 started with a quick Colfes try, but there was a strong smell of offside to it and this seemed to galvanise Beccs into a strong riposte. Michael charged down an attempted clearance kick and then Dan came off a scrum through 2 or 3 tackles to score in the corner. And he was soon at it again; after good ball retention and presentation by Alex, Captain Dan ran 50 yards bursting through most of the Colfes team to score under the posts. Up until now the extremely tall Colfes Number 8 had been picking and driving off the back of their scrums and - up until now - the suicide blonde (or suicide yellow scrum cap) Luke, had been cutting him in two and stopping him in his tracks. Credit Colfes, they came again and with their big boy realising that Luke was not on the field (squad rotation) he took his chance. Freddy and Ben S both doing Mike Catt v Jonah Lumu impressions as he scored under the posts from 18 yards out.

The final 20 saw Colfes again start quickly and, as Beccs tarted around, it was Owen who was forced to kick defensively from behind his own posts to relieve the pressure. Unfortunately his kick didn’t quite make touch and the Colfes winger scored in the corner. Colfes now became very vocal and aggressive words were exchanged between many players. Mathew made another charge up the right before the best try of the day came off the back of a solid Beccs ruck. Ben’s pass to Miles really made him come flat and with the Colfes’ defence coming up fast the reverse pop to Henry running through on the angle put him through with one man to run around - which he duly did. Ben S - off the back of a scrum - dummied to Miles, then ran 60 yards up the field, only to be hauled down 2 yards short of the line. Colfes refused to go away and scored the last try after Beccs again failed to organise defensively.

Final Score:- Old Colfians 22 - Beccs Under 13s 32. A true reflection of the game in which Beccs never looked like losing and always appeared to have another gear to go to; but credit to Colfes - they were not easy to break down and they certainly had plenty to say for themselves.