Santa brings an early Christmas present…

A warm December morning welcomed the U14s to Crow Lane, looking smart in their newly sponsored shirts and shorts the boys were ready to face the Dartfordians in their last game of 2015. As the game began it was clear that the Dartfordians were looking for a win and it didn’t take long for a period of pressure by them to result in their first try of the day. However Romford had the luck of the Gingers with them and built themselves into the game with a series of passing moves snaking them quickly up the pitch resulting in Michael Courtney’s first try of the day, duly converted by Sam Slatford. Shortly after that a penalty 5 metres from the Dartfordians line led to a further try as Bobby Watts weaved through the Dartfordians defence, the conversion again added by Sam Slatford. Romford were absorbing the pressure that the Dartfordians were putting on them in attack and countering with moves that were getting results, a tackle evading run from Michael Sultana led to a passing move that allowed Michael Courtney to race through for his second try of the day, and shortly before half time Michael Courtney got his hat-trick with another attacking run that pierced the Dartfordians defence and this try was again converted by Sam Slatford.

Half time: RGP 26-5 Dartfordians

The Dartfordians came out in the second half ready to bring the game to the Romford boys. Romford’s defence was solid though and several try saving tackles meant that they could not get themselves into the game. Ade Olaleye steam rollered through the Dartfordians defence to score his first try of the day which was converted by Sam Slatford. The tackling was fierce and frantic and the Dartfordians strength in the ruck meant that Romford’s forwards were working hard in defence but to their credit the U14s kept attacking and a strong ruck allowed James Mimms to gather the ball and race clear for the line, this try again converted by Sam Slatford. After a further period of pressure Ade Olaleye gathered the ball again and his strength gave him another try that was converted by Sam Slatford. The Dartfordians managed to score the next try with an attacking move on the wing but Romford did not let this deter them. A strong scrum in the Dartfordians 22 with some slick passing moves to the corner allowed Luke Metcalf to score try number 8 and the resounding victory was sealed when Tom O’Meara beat his man to show a clean pair of heels as he raced through for the final score of the day. A resounding win and a great team effort as all the boys worked hard for this victory and deserved this excellent result.

Final score:
RGP 57
Dartfordians 10

Tries: Michael Courtney (3), Ade Olaleye (2), Bobby Watts, James Mimms, Luke Metcalf, Tom O’Meara

Conversions: Sam Slatford x6

Squad: L. Metcalf (c), H. Runham, M. Courtney, S. Kerr, B. Watts, R. Page, J. Mimms, M. Sultana, T. O’Meara, C. Hardy, L. Potter, S. Slatford, A. Olaleye, L. Palmer-Anscomb, T. Polius, N. Fragjaj, L. Harris, Teo