Braintree U11s are runners up in the Northampton Saints Land Rover Cup 2015

Northampton Saints Land Rover Cup 2015 saw 20 under 11 teams set to compete for the cup in 4 pools of 5 teams, all from the area surrounding Northampton Saints and including many feeder clubs. Our Braintree lads were drawn in a pool of 5 teams, made up of unknowns Wisbech, Olney, Towcester and previously played Bury St Edmunds. Sadly, Wisbech pulled out at the last minute, so organisers arranged for our pool of 4 teams to play their 3 matches with 8 minutes each way, while all other 15 teams played 4 games of 6 minutes each way. This seemed fair to all.

The games kicked off at 10am and Braintree shined from the outset. The first opposition was Bury St Edmunds and to comments from their coaching staff praising our well drilled boys, Braintree kept the pressure on Bury throughout the match. The first half was played almost entirely in Bury's half and although by half time the score line remained nil-nil, Bury just could not pierce our defences. Play became a little more aggressive form both sides in the second half, but Braintree steadfastly held their ground and in the final minute, following a scrum Bury tried to kick the ball into touch, but it was stopped by Braintree's Nathan Bossert who landed the ball over the line, 5 - 0 to Braintree. what an opening game!

Game 2 saw a match with Towcester. Again, Braintree was strong from the start and the ball was passed fluidly down the line into the hands of Jack Raine, who dutifully danced through the last of Towcester's defence to score try number 1 in the opening minute. With superb rucking from Samuel Everitt, excellent driving pushing play into Towcester's 22, George Clarke intercepted a near turnover, passed it out to Jack Raine, who again put the ball over the line. The first half saw play almost consistently in Towcester's half. Braintree missed out on a few opportunities with silly mistakes, but at half time it was Braintree 10, Towcester 0. The second half saw a more resolute Towcester, they turned the ball over but in vain, because Braintree's tackling was outstanding and Max Barnes and Alfie Davies creating many a chance for the team and in a melee of boys from both sides, Nathan Bossert somehow managed to get the ball through and scored. Matthew Brooks and Sam Smith came on as subs for Samuel Everitt and Oscar Letch and they were straight in to support the boys, but the work had been done, Braintree won 15-0.

The final pool match was against Olney who appeared to be the team to beat, besides Braintree, in the pool having also won their first 2 games. This match would decide who would go through to the semi-final. Both teams were on fire in the first half and no one was getting through the other's defensive line. With a great deal of toing and froing, Sam Waud and Oscar Letch carried the ball more than halfway down the pitch only to be turned over in Olney's 22. Likewise, Mack Darroch stopped the opposition in their tracks when they made a couple of runaway attempts. But at half time, neither teams had opened the scoring. In the second half, Olney's coaching staff were showing their frustrations and putting further pressure on our boys. The referee did not seem so surefooted and some decisions went against us. But with some superb passing and despite Olney trying to hold the ball up, our lads drove Samuel Everitt with fervour enabling him to get the ball out to Sam Waud who opened the scoring for Braintree. After a messy re-start, Olney got possession and it wasn't long before they got a try back. The score settled at 5-5 at full time.

After three matches a piece, both Braintree and Olney had 2 wins and a draw. The team going through to the semi-final had to be the one with the most tries and failing that, the least tried conceded...a very hairy 10 minutes ensued as we were not certain whether Olney had scored 2 or 3 tries in their opening game, as 2 tries meant we were though with only 1 try conceded compared to their 2, but 3 tries meant it didn't matter, they would go through on try difference. A nerve wracking trip to the control tent clarified it all, Olney had a total of 5 tries, as did our boys and so we won on having only conceded 1 try in the pool matches to Olney's 2. The elation was unfathomable and the injuries abounded!

And so to the semi-final. We were told by other local coaches that we should hold up pretty well against Old Scouts who won their pool decisively and so the boys went in ready for battle. But it was nothing to be concerned about, as Braintree gained the upper hand within minutes when Mack Darroch opened the score board when the ball went down the line allowing him to score with ease. Old Scouts tried to put the pressure on, but Braintree just wouldn't slow down forcing Old Scouts to make too many errors. Braintree kept pushing up until Oscar Letch put down try 2 of the match and the half time whistle was blown. Play continued in this vein in the second half and the game remained in the oppositions half. Communication and teamwork prevailed for Braintree and Old Scouts started to panic, play turned a little dirty from them. But no worries for the lads as they scored another 3 tries to win convincingly, Braintree 25, Old Scouts 0.

No trips to the control tent to find out who was through to the final. Braintree were set to play Solihull team Sihillians - the tournament favourite it seems.

Finally, Braintree met their match and Sihillians took the lead early doors. The score line was an unrecognisable 15 - 0 to the opposition at half time. Injury took Oscar Letch off and saw Matthew Brooks replace him, then Matthew was taken out in tough tackling and Sam Smith came on. The lads played hard and turned it on again winning back 2 tries to end the match Sihillians 20 and Braintree 10.

There is no doubt that our Braintree stars can hold their heads up high as Northampton Saints Land Rover Cup runners up and yet again they have shown their mettle against sides that are hard to beat. Sadly, with a long journey ahead, only and handful of boys and parents held on for the Saints vs Wasps game afterwards, but those that did got to meet all the professional players and hold flags as a guard of honour when they went on the pitch. Not only that, their medals were handed out (for all of the squad that attended the tournament) at half time, all in front of a sell out premiership crowd.

Braintree Under 11s, you consistently play at your best and we are in awe!