BSRFC U7s Saracens Festival 19 Feb 2012

Bishop’s Stortford made a bright start to the Saracen’s tag festival with an emphatic win over the hosts. The boys in blue never really looked troubled, and overcame Saracens 5-3 with tries courtesy of Josh, Noah (2) and Peter (2). The tally might have been greater but for an errant tag leading to a disallowed try (far be it for the author to challenge the Ref’s decision – despite the fact that no defending player got near the “scorer”!) Some good tagging kept the local boys pegged back, and a comfortable 5-3 win made for an encouraging start.

Cheshunt were next in the firing line and were dispatched with similar style by the Stortford boys. Attacking play was first rate, with some great individual skill being backed up by some effective support running. Tagging was similarly effective, and when the final whistle blew Stortford were 7-4 to the good courtesy of a hat trick from Oscar (beers!), a brace from Leo and one apiece from Josh and Noah.

The third and final pool game was a sterner test. Perhaps there was some complacency amongst the blues after an easy start, or maybe the opposition was of a higher grade, but the game went down to the wire. It soon became apparent that the result would be decided on single errors, and luckily Hemel Hempstead B's blinked first in an error-strewn second half – final result 4-3 to Stortford, with Oscar and Noah both crossing the whitewash twice.

Having negotiated the pool games without loss, the Stortford boys were briefed to expect a tougher test in the quarter-final, facing an unknown quantity in South Woodham Ferrers. However, another well drilled performance saw the blues cruise to their second 5-3 win of the day, with another composed performance which balanced attacking flair with a well relatively well organised defence. Tries came from Jack (2), Harry, Tom, Peter and (almost inevitably!) Oscar. The Stortford boys were just a game away from a place in the final!

The semi-final was an absolute nail biter. Having been run close by the Hemel Hempstead B side, a stern test was expected from their As, and so it proved to be. Disappointingly the opposition were only out for the win and played to their obvious strength with every free pass going to the same strong runner, who cut swathes through the Stortford defence. Under the cosh, the boys in blue stepped up to the mark and refused to lie down, pushing the Hemel defence all the way. When the final whistle blew Stortford were just a try adrift at 6-7, with Oscar (the day’s top try scorer at 8), Jack (2), Harry, Thomas and Peter all on the scorecard. Beaten but unbowed, Stortford U7s were rightly congratulated by all for an exemplary performance from start to finish.

Sadly Saracens seniors were also narrowly beaten by Leicester Tigers in the subsequent Arriva Premiership game, but that didn’t detract from an excellent day. Thanks to Saracens for an immensely enjoyable and well organised tournament and to all of the U7s who worked so hard and maintained such a sense of fun and sportsmanship throughout the day.

Dave Walker (Thomas’ Dad!)