Romford Win Battle of Hasings

Wrapping up a long season is not done too much better than a tour, so the under 14's took the opportunity to spend the weekend by the seaside for an action packed weekend. Friday night saw a burst of colour in the main complex with the Hawaiians moving in and the tour rules becoming active, a shirt presentation took place with each having chosen their own shirt number prior to the weekend and each boy picked their toy soldier - which position they had to take when 'soldiers' was called.

Saturday saw the first full day of the weekend, with a Captains XI vs Coaches XI out on the football field just outside of the camp, with the Coaches XI coming out winner on Golden Goal. A quick change and a shower saw the group move up to the sports bar for some evening football and a few games of darts before attention turned to the following Sundays game.

Game Day:

Squad

1 Ben Walton
1 Connor Welley - Hardy
3 Ryan Pooley
3 Adam Courtney
4 Ben Shawyer
7 Harry Runham
11 Tom Omeara
12 Ryan Page
12 Sam Slatford
13 Luke Metcalf
14 Torez Polius
14 Nelson Fregjaj
16 James Mimms
19 Owen Flower
36 Michael Courtney
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Coaches: Jack Courtney, Jim Metcalf, Paul Runham (manager)

Pitchside Team: Dan Metcalf

Romford (sporting a blue and pink shirt) kicked off with a slight cross field wind, Hastings caught well and carried into the Park defence but it didn't take long for James Mimms to rip out of the maul to set up a surge into the hosts 22. Park also come out on top in the first scrum of the game winning the ball against the head allowing Sam Slatford to break and score the first try of the game which he converted himself.

Romford continued to apply the pressure, but found themselves having to do a lot of defending due to a few refereeing going against them. However Park fought through this and some great turnover work from Adam Courtney and Owen Flower allowed Romford to turn the ball over and Slatford was able to touch down for his second try of the game.

Park were now firmly in control of the game and were moving through the phases and Nelson Fregjaj crashed over the line to score his first try for the club. And Park didn't take long to increase the score line when Torez Polius broke to run 3/4's of the pitch then to play an offload to Harry Runham to touch down for Romford's fourth try of the game (converted by Slatford).

Romford scored 2 more tries before half time, the first coming from some great footwork allowed Luke Metcalf to open his account for the weekend. Soon after Ryan Page played in Tom O'Meara to break around the outside to score the final try of the half which was converted by Sam to take the score to 36-0 at half time.

Half Time: Hastings 0 RGP 36

Park continued to dominate and Adam Courtney, Michael Courtney and Nelson Fregjaj were unlucky to have tries disallowed but after some hard work in the ruck from Ben Walton allowed Park to break and score with Metcalf placing the ball down - His brother [Dan] stepped up to take the conversion but placed the kick just wide.

Still going forward Ryan Pooley linked up with the backs well for Slatford to play O'Meara in for his second try of the match. Having previously been unlucky Michael Courtney was able to score but was rewarded for his efforts with a try (both tries converted by Slatford.

Hastings did manage to get on the score board with a late converted try. But this didn't phase Park and Ben Shawyer and Connor Welly-Hardy were both unlucky not to score when taking turns at barrelling runs but couldn't cross the white wash.

Final Score: 53-7

Tries: Luke Metcalf (2) Sam Slatford (2) Tom O'Meara (2) Nelson Fregjaj, Michael Courtney, Harry Runham
Cons: Slatford (4)

After the game the boys went back to the pool to play water polo before Players and Parents took over the local Indian restaurant [Indian Lounge] for a buffet dinner before court was held back at the club - where a select few were fined for their crimes throughout the weekend and the boys were fined for a collection of offences over the past year which were all taken in great sportsmanship.

The weekend was completed with some great social time plus a Women vs Men 701 darts match which involved over 20 players and in typical amateur darts fashion was checked out on double 1 [by the men], but really summed up what the weekend was about and makes me exceptionally proud to work with such a great group of people.