Not for the first time, Eltham College presented us with a cold and wet venue for a rugby festival – this time the Foxbury ‘development’ festival. However, it wasn’t bad enough to dampen spirits and certainly not enough to stop the full squad and accompanying adults turning up in force in the expectation of a good result.

The format was pretty straightforward. Teams were split into two groups with games played on a league basis. Whoever topped each group after all games were played would be the trophy winners. Our boys were pitched against Aylesford Bulls, Sidcup, Westcombe Park and Old Elthamians. Having not played festival rugby for quite a few months it was difficult to predict quite how the boys would get on, though it was clear from previous experiences against these sides that some of the games would pose a stiff challenge.

The boys’ first match was against Aylesford Bulls, and it was important for them to start well in order to set their tournament up with a good result. Unfortunately, playing uphill and not being quite switched on cost them in the first half. Whilst it was a tight affair, with no team gaining any real dominance and despite a lot of effort from the boys, a relative lack of sharpness in the breakdowns from the boys allowed their opposition to gain a slim advantage and score the only try of the half. However, the second half was a lot better and their contesting of the breakdowns was sharper and much more focussed, proving key in restoring parity to the score. It was from a ruck that the boys recycled the ball, getting it to Aaron W who found sufficient gap to make it over the line for an equalising try. Despite continued effort the boys were unable to gain any further advantage such that the game ended as 1-1. However, the much improved second half gave everyone confidence that there was more to come.

The second match was against Sidcup. In this match, the boys made a much better start. From a Sidcup kick off, the ball was carefully gathered and after a few quick passes in a defensive position made its way to Daniel S. Daniel decided to demonstrate a turn of speed that he had hitherto kept to himself, running from deep in his own half to the oppositions try line to register his first try for the development squad. From the resulting kick off Sidcup put concerted pressure on the boys which, despite some stout defending, eventually saw them score an equalising try. This parity was to be short lived though, as from the resulting Darts kick off Aaron W fiercely chased down the Darts kick off not only winning possession, but then combining with Max J to give him the opportunity to take the ball across the Sidcup try line and restore the boys’ lead. Following the resulting Sidcup kick off a passage of play resulted in a strong run from Joseph P who was unlucky not to add to the tally, being put in touch just short of the line. The first half finished 2-1 to Darts. The second half saw a similar story, with a Darts kick off being chased down and possession being gained. In this particular example, the ball again made its way to Daniel S who, despite getting the ball over the Sidcup try line, was unable to ground it for his second, and the boys’ third, try. Not to worry though, as the boys won the resulting scrum and the ball was quickly moved out to Owain P who subsequently passed the ball to Sam A who took the ball over for a third try. The scoring still wasn’t yet over as far as Darts were concerned. From the Sidcup kick off, possession of the ball fell to Max J who put in a signature run to score the teams’ fourth try. The game finished 4-1 to Darts, though particular emphasis must be placed on their much improved chasing of loose ball and rucking, much of which had played a part in their success in this match.

The third match was against Westcombe Park. Their particular squad was depleted to the point that they could only have fielded 11, however Old Elthamians sportingly offered one of their own ‘development’ boys so the match could go ahead on an even basis. An element of déjà vu ensued as, from the Westcombe Park kick off, the ball made its way to Daniel S who proceeded to outstrip their team and score his second try of the tournament. This was quickly followed by a second try which came as a result of a period of concerted defence on the Darts try line, with Westcombe Park pressing hard to score their own. Westcombe Park actually had the ball over the line but were unable to ground it so, for the second time in the tournament, the boys had to face a 5 metre scrum. They contested this, and a resulting ruck well, such that possession was gained and the ball made its way to Owain P who put in a winding run, which contained more than one effective sidestep, who put the boys 3-0 up. The boys’ scoring wasn’t finished in this match as Owain P, showing good determination and effort, was able to pounce on a loose ball and take it over for his second try. Westcombe Park were not finished themselves, though, and continued to press for their own try. Late in the game, they put together a period of pressure which required more strong defending from the boys. For the third time in the tournament they held up the opposition who had managed to get the ball across the line, resulting in a scrum. However in this particular example, the pressure eventually told with Westcombe Park pouncing on a loose ball and taking across for a consolation try. A 4-1 result seemed fair at this point.

The last match of the day for the boys, against OEs ‘development’ squad, took on greater importance, as a win would ensure the trophy would return to Bourne Road, but a draw would bring the fair play element of the scoring into the balance. Whereas a loss would mean the boys left the competition empty handed. Up to this point, OEs had drawn two games, one against Aylesford (who the boys had already drawn against) and one against Sidcup (who the boys had beaten) and won one, so the result was by no means certain either way. It could have been that this was the last game of the day and the boys in both squads were tired, or that they were so very evenly matched, but the game turned out to be a tight affair. Both teams tackled fiercely such that it seemed like no clear advantage was going to be gained by either side, the ball changing possession frequently enough so that no-one would have it long enough to score. The first half finished 0-0. The second half saw the boys starting to show some signs of fatigue and a rare handling error saw possession given to OEs in a threatening area and this was a luxury they took immediate advantage of, taking over the ball for a 1-0 lead. Subsequent play took on a very similar feel with play being very tight. However, with downhill advantage, OEs were able to drive a ruck forward with sufficient speed such that the boys were unable to regroup in defence as well as they had in previous games and therefore OEs managed to score their second try. The game was to finish with this as a score line and was the only time the boys were beaten during the day.

Unfortunately, the last result meant that the boys hadn’t scored sufficient points to win the trophy and they ultimately finished third in their group with 7 points. OEs and Aylesford were drawn at the top with 8 points each.

As ever, the above mentions a few individuals but the coaches are agreed that the squad as a whole acquitted themselves incredibly well and are looking forward to the forthcoming Kent prelims with great anticipation and expectation.

The squad for the day was: Aaron W, Aiden K, Callum C, Daniel S, George D, Jack D, Jack L, Jack S, Joseph P, Kieran C, Louie P, Malachy C, Max C, Max J, Owain P and Samuel A. Perhaps one special mention should go to festival debutant Jack L who showed not only a desire to play a different code of rugby to the best of his ability, but also that he has core skills that will eventually benefit the squad as a whole

Beccehamian Festival

A Cold, Tough Day In West Wickham
Sunday 15th March
Squad
Aaron V, Brandon B, Christopher R, Daniel B, Dempsey C, Edward P, Finley H, Finley W, James P, Jimmy S, Joshua D, Kane M, Matthew C, Patrick M, Shan P, William S.

As now seems the norm our arrival at the Beccehamian’s home ground saw players, parents and coaches greeted with very cold and damp conditions. The gazebo was flung together by all those keen to get some shelter from the elements. The boys were told that it wasn’t that cold by a team of coaches were wore hats , gloves, track suits bottoms and probably a good few layers of thermal attire!
Due to bad luck/weather over the winter period this was the first tournament that the team were taking part in for well over four months. Being drawn in a very competitive group meant this was going to prove to be a very challenging series of games to undertake.
First up was a tough competitive game against Gravesend. Games against them had previously been very physical, competitive affairs and this was going to be the case once again. The opening minutes of the half was a tight midfield battle with sound scrummaging, rucking and mauling being undertaken by both teams. Unfortunately the first break was made by a pacey Gravesend player who managed to find some space on his right hand side. The Dart’s defence seem to react late to the breakaway and were unable to prevent the opening score. Coming from behind in games had proved challenging previously but the team were able to get the scores level again very quickly. Possession was regained from the Dart’s kick off and the ball was quickly moved from the left to the right hand side of the pitch. Jimmy S was able to find a couple of yards of space and made a strong burst towards the try line. In spite of strong attempts to defend Jimmy was able to score in the corner and send both teams to the interval level at one apiece.
The start of the second half followed a similar pattern to the first but the ball was in truth spending more time near the Darts try line. Darts were winning most of the scrums but were not converting this possession into attacking moves and one or two passing and handling errors were starting to occur at crucial times. Darts were able to clear one threat with a solid kick that was very well taken by an opposition player moving at full pace towards the try line. The Darts defence tried hard to stop the attack but momentum took the Gravesend player over the line to score their second try.
From the restart Darts were still able to secure significant possession but not in any threatening areas of the pitch. As a result of this scoring chances were at a premium and the game ended in a 2-1 loss.
The first game loss didn’t seem to have a negative impact on the team’s confidence as they put in a solid first half against a well organised Cranbrook side. The scrums were competitive and quick tackles were being made to keep the opposition well away from any danger. Once again though one or two misplaced passes meant that Dart’s were unable to threaten the Cranbrook line. The first half finished with no score but unfortunately Darts conceded two quick scores early in the second half mainly due to a bit of positional confusion in the team. Sadly Dart’s were unable to create any try scoring chances of their own and were caught on the break on two further occasions. Although it could be easily argued that Darts did not deserve anything out of the match the final defeat by 4 tries to nil was not a true reflection of game.
The team’s final game was against new opponents Chipstead. Their results in the group suggested that Darts would be in for another very competitive fixture and it certainly proved to be the case. Once again even though Darts had the ball in hand several times a number of low or high passes resulted in moves breaking down and possession being squandered. Darts conceded an early try and unfortunately this is as much of the game as this reporter saw as he spent the rest of the game stuffing about five packs of Kleenex tissue up Jimmy’s nose to stop a “Niagara Falls” type nose bleed! However the team’s South African correspondent reported that the game was similar to the previous two. Lots of effort and possession but a very small amount of try scoring chances. The team unfortunately conceded a second try in the final few seconds to finish on the wrong end of a 2-0 score line.
It was a tough day for the boys and one where they learned that one or two small mistakes in a match now turns a victory into a defeat very easily. We can put the three defeats down to a bit of “tournament rustiness” and fingers crossed that all the bad luck is behind us and out of the way for our trip down to Medway for the Kent tournament.