Wet Wet Wet !!!

On a very wet and cold Sunday morning we made our way to Beaconsfield for their Development Festival. The day did not start well when we were informed that due to an unexpected team arriving that the timetable would be rearranged, but we were looking forward to a strong showing following good recent performances against OAs.
Our first game was against Amersham and Chiltern. A good start, with some excellent first up tackling, was rewarded with a try by Finlay to put us 1-0 up. Unfortunately we were unable to keep this level of performance up for the full 12 minutes, and let in a couple of soft tries by over committing to the rucks and mauls, allowing Amersham and Chiltern to attack down our undefended flanks.
Due to the revised timetable we only had a 5 minute turnaround before we faced a strong Chess Valley team. Once again we started well, attacking off the back of some very strong scrummaging from Trey, William and Frederick for Finlay to cross the line to give us an early lead. Once again we failed to keep our defensive line, and with the appalling weather conditions making it difficult to retain possession we ended up going down 3-1, despite a try saving tackle from Joe Manning.
Following a 15 minute break (just enough time for the cold to really set in!) we faced Beaconsfield C’s. Another good start saw us take the lead for the third game in a row, but with fingers now freezing and spirits being dampened, we began to loose the ball in contact as well as over-committing to the rucks and mauls again. The effort from Lewis, Ryan, Billy and Josh could not be faulted, but when Thomas was stopped just short of the try line, and runs from Joe Page and Eamon failed to get us scores, we could not remain competitive. We lost 4-1 again, to a very strong Beaconsfield team.
Another quick turn around saw us face an even stronger Beaconsfield B’s. Having just lost to their C team, and now being totally soaked to the skin we put on a spirited display, spurred on by Paul Humphreys and all of the parents present. We quickly went 4-0 down, but fought on to hold them out from further scores until right before the end.
At this point I had to leave for work, so I am not sure how the rest of the Festival went. I would like to thank all of the parents for their support in the worst conditions that I have had to endure at a festival. The tournament has shown us the areas that we need to work on to be competitive, and next week we will work on our defensive line and rucking and mauling before we go to the John Grey Cup at Welwyn, where we have been successful in the past.
A big pat on the back to all the players involved, on what was a truly awful day. Things can only get better!