Rampaging Romford smash Stanford

Romford U15s welcomed Stanford U15s to Crow Lane on a grey Sunday morning – however the performance to come was anything but grey and Romford were ready for a tough test. Historically this game has always produced a close result but not today…

A fired up Romford got off to a great start and they were straight up and running. It didn't take them long to get on the score sheet either; the boys seemed to take their defensive display to another level today. Connor Hardy pressed hard to gain control of the ball in the ruck and this enabled the ball to be passed along the line to Michael Courtney who touched down in the corner. Stanford kept pressing and tried to gain territory but Romford were very much in control. The next try came from a set play and a lovely line out move saw Harry Runham gain possession and the forwards move the ball across the park to draw in the Stanford defenders. Nelson Fragjaj barreled forward and enabled a crisp display of passing from the backs to culminate in a Torez Polius try, a quick conversion by Sam Slatford and Romford were in control. As the half progressed Romford gained confidence and the next try came from the back of a strong scrum, Lee Harris sending the ball along the line helping Ryan Pooley to surge forward and Sam Slatford to get on the score sheet with a fabulous try. The final try of the half was a huge team effort, a penalty against Stanford enabled the boys to pass the ball around, Bobby Watts taking a quick penalty, Owen Flower passing to hands from the floor, Shaun Kerr crashing the ball through the defence for it to be recycled to Luke Metcalf who touched down in the corner.

HT: RGP 22-0 Stanford

The second half continued in much the same way. Stanford continued to press but Romford’s attack at the ruck made the difference. Having gained possession of the ball Luke Metcalf passed the ball to Tom O’Meara on the wing who turned on the burners and could not be caught to place the ball down in the corner, an excellent conversion from Sam Slatford adding the extras. The next try came directly from a steal in the ruck; James Mimms excellent work saw him pass to Michael Courtney who weaved through the Stanford defence and scored his second try of the game. Stanford were clearly frustrated but just couldn’t get on the score sheet, they did come close though but even then Romford’s defence was just too strong and a good passing move from them was held up over the line. They did continue to press but a turnover deep in Romford’s 22 allowed Bobby Watts to kick down field and the resulting bounce and chase saw Michael Courtney dot the ball down under the posts for his third try of the day, Sam Slatford again converting this try. The resulting restart saw the final try of the game; Torez Polius evaded the Stanford tacklers and scored his second with Sam Slatford again converting.

A fabulous display of rugby by the Romford U15s, exciting to watch and a game that saw every player step up to produce this fantastic result – well done boys!

Final Score:
RGP 48
Stanford 0

Tries: Michael Courtney (3), Tom O’Meara, Luke Metcalf, Torez Polius (2), Sam Slatford
Conversions: Sam Slatford (4)

Squad: L. Metcalf (c), M. Courtney, O. Flower, N. Fragjaj, C. Hardy, L. Harris, S. Kerr, B. Lloyd, T. O’Meara, J. Mimms, L. Potter, T. Polius, R. Pooley, J. Rawana, H. Runham, S. Slatford, B. Walton, B. Watts