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Sat 31 Jan 2015
Saracens tournament
Under 9's
11:00
Folkestone RFC under 9’s visit to Saracens RFC
Alex Ruddock1 Feb 2015 - 21:46
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A tournament at Saracens Premiership ground Allianz Park this Saturday was an opportunity not to be missed.
31st January 2015 Under 9s visit to Saracens
Report from Richard Davenport
This is first season of contact rugby for Folkestone RFC under 9’s and to play a tournament at Saracens Premiership ground Allianz Park this Saturday was an opportunity not to be missed.
Folkestone were drawn in pool C and would have to end up winners to progress to the semi final stage. With no prior knowledge of the opposition the team would be entering the unknown. The opening encounter would bring them up against Verulamians II from Hertfordshire. With temperatures just nudging above freezing the players needed to keep on the move. The pitch layout was also unknown to the young side as was proven when Alex (Rhino) Cordell broke through the opposition defence line only to place the ball down too early, luckily Callum Howes was there in support and recovered the situation to take the lead. Callum Howes followed this with an individual try before Verulamians replied with two of their own. Alex Cordell was not going to make the same mistake again and left the opposition’s defence in tatters as made his way to the try line twice in quick succession. At half time the ‘Stones led 5 tries to 3, confidence grew through the team during the second half with James Uden making yards through grit determination. Ella Preston-Chambers proved again her ability to identify a weakness and scored her opening try. Jonathan Schermuly added two individual tries himself bringing the first game to end with an 8-4 victory.
In their second game ‘Stones faced another unknown in the form of Chess Valley RFC. With a different opening line up, Captain Alex Cordell took control leading by example in the first half of this encounter by scoring all three tries. The stopping power of Zackary Davenport restricted Chess Valley to only three tries of their own at the mid way point. By the second half the weather was not improving and hands started to suffer from the cold, but despite this challenge and with team support from Daniel Lundie, Callum Howes added another try to his total before Chess valley managed replied. With only minutes left and through a collective effort Harry Challis crossed the line to claim a 5-4 victory. This game had taken its toll, it was the time for parents to do their bit, with players battered and cold, blankets and encouraging words were required.
As the team took to the field for their final game of the pool the opposition was none other than the hosts’ 1st team. Saracens 1 had also beaten Verulamians II but had only managed to draw against Chess Valley therefore our brave team only required a draw to make the semi finals. The rain had also put in an appearance but the players were not thwarted. With some great team play Folkestone went through the rehearsed moves plays but the Saracens tackling was on top form and finding a way through was proving extremely difficult. Initially our own defence stood strong with outstanding tackling from Kian Lambert. Oakley Price provided the watching crowd a demonstration on how his skills had developed over the past couple of weeks. Despite giving everything, Saracens finally penetrated the defence with two quick tries before Alex replied with two of his own. At half time we trailed 3-2. Early on in the second half Saracens battled their way towards the try line and from 5 metres out they believed they would add to their total only to be covered by Callum Howes who held the ball up preventing the score. Callum then added to his own tally for the day but despite this gallant effort in tough conditions the ‘Stones lost 5-3.
The rain cleared and the team watched Saracens senior team play the South African club the Blue Bulls. A well deserved treat for our team.
Alex Cordell (capt), Ella Preston Chambers, Zackary Davenport, Kian Lambert, Daniel Lundie, Callum Howes, Oakley Price, Harry Challis, James Uden, Jonathan Schermuly.
Report from Richard Davenport
This is first season of contact rugby for Folkestone RFC under 9’s and to play a tournament at Saracens Premiership ground Allianz Park this Saturday was an opportunity not to be missed.
Folkestone were drawn in pool C and would have to end up winners to progress to the semi final stage. With no prior knowledge of the opposition the team would be entering the unknown. The opening encounter would bring them up against Verulamians II from Hertfordshire. With temperatures just nudging above freezing the players needed to keep on the move. The pitch layout was also unknown to the young side as was proven when Alex (Rhino) Cordell broke through the opposition defence line only to place the ball down too early, luckily Callum Howes was there in support and recovered the situation to take the lead. Callum Howes followed this with an individual try before Verulamians replied with two of their own. Alex Cordell was not going to make the same mistake again and left the opposition’s defence in tatters as made his way to the try line twice in quick succession. At half time the ‘Stones led 5 tries to 3, confidence grew through the team during the second half with James Uden making yards through grit determination. Ella Preston-Chambers proved again her ability to identify a weakness and scored her opening try. Jonathan Schermuly added two individual tries himself bringing the first game to end with an 8-4 victory.
In their second game ‘Stones faced another unknown in the form of Chess Valley RFC. With a different opening line up, Captain Alex Cordell took control leading by example in the first half of this encounter by scoring all three tries. The stopping power of Zackary Davenport restricted Chess Valley to only three tries of their own at the mid way point. By the second half the weather was not improving and hands started to suffer from the cold, but despite this challenge and with team support from Daniel Lundie, Callum Howes added another try to his total before Chess valley managed replied. With only minutes left and through a collective effort Harry Challis crossed the line to claim a 5-4 victory. This game had taken its toll, it was the time for parents to do their bit, with players battered and cold, blankets and encouraging words were required.
As the team took to the field for their final game of the pool the opposition was none other than the hosts’ 1st team. Saracens 1 had also beaten Verulamians II but had only managed to draw against Chess Valley therefore our brave team only required a draw to make the semi finals. The rain had also put in an appearance but the players were not thwarted. With some great team play Folkestone went through the rehearsed moves plays but the Saracens tackling was on top form and finding a way through was proving extremely difficult. Initially our own defence stood strong with outstanding tackling from Kian Lambert. Oakley Price provided the watching crowd a demonstration on how his skills had developed over the past couple of weeks. Despite giving everything, Saracens finally penetrated the defence with two quick tries before Alex replied with two of his own. At half time we trailed 3-2. Early on in the second half Saracens battled their way towards the try line and from 5 metres out they believed they would add to their total only to be covered by Callum Howes who held the ball up preventing the score. Callum then added to his own tally for the day but despite this gallant effort in tough conditions the ‘Stones lost 5-3.
The rain cleared and the team watched Saracens senior team play the South African club the Blue Bulls. A well deserved treat for our team.
Alex Cordell (capt), Ella Preston Chambers, Zackary Davenport, Kian Lambert, Daniel Lundie, Callum Howes, Oakley Price, Harry Challis, James Uden, Jonathan Schermuly.
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