Worcester Wild Ones enjoy Richmond tournament
Mar
Worcester Wild Ones Under 11s produced Rugby of the highest quality to
come away with the plate trophy at the Annual Richmond Tournament. With
only a small squad available, and equally small in stature, they were
commited , brave , resilient, and full of skill. Five twenty minute
games were played , with each game played at a furious pace , and
intense physicality. First up was London Irish, who were huge. Backs and
forwards alike, were on average half a stone heavier, and 2 to 3 inches
taller. But the Wild Ones refused to be intimadated. It was end to end
stuff, and with Worcester pressing on the Irish line on the final
whistle, the game ended in a draw. 0 pts to 0 pts . Second up was
Brighton. Again, they presented Worcester with a physical challenge,
which the boys relished. With Worcester playing the more inventive
Rugby, it was a surprise when an interception gave Brighton the lead,
which they managed to hold on to until the end, 7 pts to 0 . The hosts
Richmond were the next opponents, but the Wild Ones were now getting
into their stride, and comfortably outplayed them scoring 4 tries, 2 in
each half. The try scorers were Bradley Smith , George Wooten, Willem
Stanley, and Lawrence Stephens.Oli Gore converted two, and Cameron
Hunter and George Wooten one a piece. 28 pts to 0 . With the Wild Ones
losing one match, they knew that the next game was a must win to get to
the plate final as group runners up. The opposition was Cobham, a fine
mini and junior club, who were the current champions. The game was as
intense as anything seen at senior level, with no quarter given, and an
incredible level of skill shown by both teams, on display. With the last
play of the game, a solid scrum gave Willem Stanley the chance to bisect
the defence between the fly half and the scrum, and he crashed over.
Wooten converted to give Worcester a terrific victory.7 pts to 0. With
bodies battered, and very weary legs, the Wild Ones gathered themselves
for the final. Salisbury had also done very well in their group, and as
with all opposition this season, were considerably bigger. What they did
not have though was Worcesters collective will, and desire to win. They
played some terrific expansive Rugby to subdue and finally overcome
Salisbury. Willem Stanley carried on his try scoring spree with 3 in the
final, one a fine individual effort, one from a couple of assists from
Bradley Smith, and the last was from a fine clearance kick from Cameron
Hunter, the full back gathered, but Luke Gailey tackled him straight
away, he jackled the ball off him, fed Willem Stanley who completed his
hat trick. On the full time whistle Salisbury scored a consolation try.
George Wooten Oli Gore, and Cameron Hunter, kicked a conversion each.
This was a memorable days Rugby where every squad member played their
hearts out, and produced Rugby of the highest quality. Final score 21 to
7 .
