(Ed note: At this age group, only tries are counted)

Vigo’s youngsters gained sweet revenge for an ear4lier beating by Elthamians with an excellent performance at Eltham College. In the previous game, Vigo had roared into a 4-0 lead but then suffered as Elthamians ran in 9 unanswered tries. This time, it appeared that Vigo had absorbed the lessons and on the back of a superb win at Sevenoaks last time out, their confidence was high. However, that confidence was sorely tested when Elthamians scored a quick fire brace of tries in the opening minutes. Vigo had, in fact, started strongly and were soon attacking Elthamians line, but were penalised at the breakdown. Elthamians simply hoofed the ball straight down the pitch – a massive kick aided and abetted by a strong wind. Vigo had been on the attack and had not really got back in numbers, also a tad surprised by the strength of the wind. Elthamians followed up and took advantage of a certain amount of confusion to score. Almost from the kick off, they shocked Vigo with a quick break down the blind side, which was temporarily unguarded. The home player sprinted 60 metres for a fine individual try (Forgive me for not recording the home players’ names).
Vigo were momentarily discombobulated by this state of affairs but came back hard, mainly through their forwards, who began to drive hard up the middle at their opponents. Elthamians were thrown back by the ferocity of the forward charge, and as Vigo were held on the line, the electric Hugo Jenner spotted a tiny gap and shot through to score. It was clear that this score had not only raised Vigo spirits but also shown them that the home side could be harassed, which Vigo began to do with some relish. Christian and Harrison combined beautifully to spread the home defence before Freddie Climpson finished off with some aplomb. Vigo’s ‘Dogs of War’ were in full cry now, chasing down their opponents, but possibly with a bit too much enthusiasm; the referee obviously not happy with Vigo’s work at the breakdown and constantly penalising their work at the said breakdown. Elthamians were able to continue using the wind to pump the ball downfield. Yet another penalty, but this time Old E’s ran it moving the ball to their tall centre who blasted through a couple of poor tackles and run almost the length of the pitch to score a fine individual try, and give his side a narrow 3-2 lead. This lad was a constant menace all game, seemingly six feet tall and had to be tackled before he reached full speed. There were a couple of instances of missed tackles but what this young Vigo side have in abundance is a great team spirit. There were no recriminations at a missed tackle, the lads just shrugged it off, and worked hard to cover up individual deficiencies with a collective team effort.
Now, in the second half, Vigo had the wind , and also a new referee, as it had been agreed to have each side provide the referee for each half, Simon officiating the second half. The wind was certainly a huge advantage, and Vigo began the second half on the front foot. They began to use their forwards to drive forward, Divan Tromp and Ollie Watson smashing into the home defence. To be fair, the Elthamians defence was outstanding, time after time putting their bodies on the line, but Vigo persisted and gained their reward when Ollie barged over to score. Elthamians were not about to fold, and retaliated with another long range score, their tall centre blasting down the middle to score. Back came Vigo , the match resembling a basketball game moving from one end to the other. This time, Elthamians tried to run from behind their own line, and Christian Eloff was amongst them hunting down prey. Elthamians were caught behind the line, the ball was forced loose and Nye Heatley was the first to react, pouncing on the ball to score. Vigo kicked off, and the Elthamians receiver simply ran straight and hard, Vigo’s defence parting rather too easily and Elthamians were back in the lead. Crazy, heady stuff. A bit of ‘’You score, we’ll score’’. And so it was, Divan smashing forward in typical fashion, and Edward Baker on hand weaving past a trail of bodies to take the ball to level the scores. Now, Vigo’s collective tails were up. Mixing the game beautifully, Josh Jenner clever at 10, Hugo Jenner (no relation) electric at 9, Vigo were harassing and hounding. Once again, Divan instigated the score, charging into a thicket of defenders before the ball was recycled for Freddie Climpson to score his second. Then George Gummer received the ball around half way, broke through, Christian carried on the charge, and although Elthamians’ defenders halted the charge superbly well, Vigo recycled quickly, spread the ball and Cade Williams sailed over for a fine team try. Elthamians were shocked but responded well, a fine team but they had come up against inspired visitors. They attacked Vigo but Vigo were now determined to gain revenge. Elthamians were hunted down and any mistake was ruthlessly seized upon. It was all too much for the home coach who sprinted the length of the field to berate the referee after one incident.
Elthamians continued to attempt to haul back Vigo but time was running out and Vigo (and the supporters) gleefully celebrated a fine win at the final whistle. All credit to the home side, whose defence was outstanding, Vigo having to work extra hard to find the gaps, but find them they did.

Vigo’s MoM was Divan Tromp, who put in a barnstorming performance even though he had been complaining of sickness before the game. But , really, this was a fine collective effort – not only by the team but by the coaches and magnificent supporters.