Braintree bring it on!

It was a warm, bright Sunday morning and the Romford & Gidea Park U16s made the journey up the A12 to face League Division 2 opponents Braintree. It was going to be a tough match but Romford were determined to continue their recent success and add another win to their tally.

Braintree were quicker out of the blocks than Romford and were first to score an unconverted try but Romford’s game started to come together and it wasn’t long before Romford’s rucking skills forced a turnover from an excellent tackle. The resulting pass saw Michael Courtney cut a fine line through the defence to touch down for an equalling score. Braintree came back into the game and responded with another try but Romford were very much in control in this period. The forwards were putting in some almighty tackles to hold Braintree in check and Nelson Fragjaj was unlucky to have a try disallowed but still Romford continued to work hard. A Romford line out saw James Mimms burrow through the defence and produce a lovely swinging pass to Torez Polius who scored a fantastic try under the posts which Shaun Kerr stepped up to convert.

HT: Braintree 10-12 RGP

The second half started with another score from Braintree but Romford worked their way back into the game. Another penalty and resulting lineout saw Romford draw in the Braintree defenders and set in motion a beautiful series of attacking passes from the Romford backs and Torez Polius touch down in the corner for Romford’s third try. Braintree responded again and scored another unconverted try and were now defending valiantly to secure a winning result but Romford had other plans. Braintree conceded another penalty and the restart from Shaun Kerr drew in defenders and the resulting offload to Luke Metcalf and pass on to Torez Polius saw him swerve past the Braintree defence to plant the ball under the posts, Shaun Kerr’s conversion, being the last kick of the game, saw Romford take the win. A great effort from all the boys who so worked hard today and thanks to the two U15 boys who stepped up superbly to help make this a memorable win. Well done boys – 5 matches – 4 wins!

Final Score:
Braintree 20
Romford & Gidea Park 24

Tries: Michael Courtney, Torez Polius (3)
Conversions: Shaun Kerr (2)

Squad: L. Metcalf (c), T. Adewole, M. Courtney, N. Fragjaj, S. Kerr, B. Lloyd, T. McCloud, R. McGuinness, J. Mimms, R. Page, L. Potter, T. Polius, H. Runham, B. Shawyer, B. Walton, H. Wright

Man of the Match: Torez Polius