Development Dawn

It was a blustery, and sometimes wet, Saturday when the Under 10's Development team made the trip to Saracens' fantastic Allianz Park to try and replicate the success of the visit in December when another team from the age group visited the artificial pitch and qualified for the finals later in the year.

The Development Cup is a competition for those players that do not regularly get to play in first team festivals, a chance to experience the competitiveness of playing against different clubs in a tournament.

The first game was against a strong looking Medway side that certainly started the brighter, putting Camelot on the back foot early doors - eventually taking the lead through sustained pressure. On the sidelines there was concern that this might not turn out to be quite such a good day, players showing some reservations about the playing surface. All that soon changed. Ben and Conor E performed a little scissor pass movement which allowed Conor E to break clean through for the equaliser. 1-1.

Moments later Camelot had the put in for a scrum deep in their own half, a well-worked move once again found Conor E on the break, just managing to evade the chasing defenders, as parents on the sideline held their breathe, to put Camelot ahead. After the match Conor E confirmed "I was only going at about half pace!"

After the break another good move from a scrum saw Seb break clean through to make it 3-1, you could see the confidence start to ooze from the players with Sam, Jospeh and Harrison putting in some really hard work in the middle of the field to prevent Medway from getting back in the match. The opponents did pull one back, creating a tense last few minutes, but Camelot held out for an all-important first victory.
FT: Camelot 3-2 Medway Conor E 2, Seb

In a league of 5 teams, with 3 qualifying, two wins should generally be enough to see you through, but early on in the next match against Maldon it was clear that this was not going to be easy. 2-0 down at the interval, soon became 3-0 early after the break - it wasn't looking good. James I and Connor H were making powerful runs, but the moves were breaking down and possession conceded.

Suddenly something clicked - The runs were getting further, rucks were stronger and passing more accurate. Seb broke through to make it 1-3, and then James I powered his way to a try to make 2-3...Another two minutes on the clock and there is no doubt that we would have found an equaliser, but it was too late, the whistle blew and the game was lost.
FT: Camelot 2-3 Maldon Seb, James

Other results around the group were equally as tight, it was clear that the line between success and failure was going to be fine, everyone seemingly capable of beating each other. Next up were Brentwood, a win was important with the final fixture against Marlow looking the toughest of them all.

Things got off to a good start when James I bundled the ball over the line after some forceful attacking play. An even contest, it remained 1-0 up to the interval. After the break Camelot took control, Conor E ran in another two trademark tries, ripping the ball from the Brentwood defender in one instance, and then running the ball clear through to the try line. At 3-0 Camelot looked comfortable, that much sort after second win in the bag, and confirmed with one final try put down by Thomas.
FT: Camelot 4-0 Brentwood James, Conor E 2, Edward

The final game in the group was against Marlow, other results suggested that the two wins had not confirmed qualification from the group and therefore it was important that a heavy defeat was not inflicted in the last game, to avoid going out on try difference.

Things did not start well, in fact they started really quite badly. 1-0 down soon became 2-0 down and there was fear that pattern might continue until the try machine of Conor E pulled one back for Camelot to steady the ship...for about 5 seconds at least. Straight from the re-start Marlow were clean through to make it 3-1 - and it was not even half-time yet.

The second period was a much closer affair,, Marlow prevented from scoring any further tries and Camelot sneaking a second when Freddie nipped over the line to make it 2-3, keeping the scoreline respectable, and ultimately ensuring that Camelot had a safe passage through to the Development Cup Final in May.
FT: Camelot 2-3 Marlow Conor E, Freddie

It was a tough morning's rugby and a fantastic experience for the players not used to such events, ultimately it was mission accomplished with qualification achieved with two wins and two defeats, 11 tries scored and 8 conceded - How could the day get any better? Well how about being Guard of Honour for the Saracens and London Irish? Oh, and the added value entertainment of Les tackling the elements to win £200?

Yes, as the afternoon progressed over 9,000 people arrived at Allianz Park for the Aviva Premiership clash, with the players clapped onto the pitch by a Guard of Honour supplied by the beaming faces of the Camelot Under 10's - An unforgettable experience, and one to tell their friends about at school on Monday.

Half-time at any Saracens match sees a supporter from the crowd given the chance to win up to £500. They stand in the middle of the pitch, a ball is kicked high in the air towards them if they catch it, they get £50, keeping that ball in their hand, if they catch a second they get £200 and then £500 if they are able to hold a third ball, still keeping the other two in the hands.

Throughout the morning it was suggested that this person was going to be Coach Les, it was unclear whether Les believed the rumours or not, but as time progressed it became clear it was no wind-up and sure enough, as the players lined up for the Guard of Honour, Les was signing the contract to participate in the half-time entertainment.

During the first-half of the match Les seemed a little bit on edge, clearly noting how difficult the professionals were finding the windy conditions, whilst listening to the wags all around him with the jokey comments - "I'm going to film it, I might get £250 myself from You've Been Framed!".

Then the time arrived, during the half-time interval Les appeared on the pitch, watched by 9,000 people. In the South Stand the group from Hemel Hempstead shared his nerves - please don't embarrass yourself! The first ball went into the air, Les was under it, arms outstretched, into his arms...and straight out the bottom again, dropped - Gasps from the crowd. The second ball goes up, Les moves under it, and this time makes no mistake - £50. Ball two, its high, he needs to move to get under it, the other ball still tucked under his left arm...smooth as you like, the ball lands under his right arm - the crowd cheers, £200 and most importantly, no embarrassing moments. A fantastic effort from Les, capping another fantastic day for Camelot.

Man of the match, Conor E, how many tries ?!!! A close second though was Les, calmness under a set of windy balls.