Sharks come out on top v old rivals

ROMFORD 31 BASILDON 24

Romford U13's welcomed their old foes from Basildon to Crow Lane on Sunday

The visitors started the brighter, keeping play in the Romford half and the Sharks had to defend well on a couple of occasions to avoid tries being scored.

The breakthrough for Basildon came in the fourteenth minute when another spell of pressure led to one of their forwards going over to score.

Rather than heads going down, this spurred the Sharks into life and they levelled a few minutes later when full back Harry Wright, back from injury, went on a fine run after good play from the backs, to score under the posts. Wing Brandan Farrant converted and Romford were in the lead

Farrant was next to score with a typical speedy run, where he avoided two attempted tackles to score the Sharks second try. Fly half Ross Walters converted and Romford led 14-5

The Sharks were now playing well and try number three followed soon after when the ball was offloaded to number 8 Ronnie Brooks inside his own half and he then went on a great run down the line to touchdown and increase Romfords lead. Captain of the day Robson Burke converted the try and the Sharks led 21-5 at the interval.

Romford continued in the same manner straight after the break when Wright went on yet another fine run to score his second try in the corner.

The visitors then came into the game a bit more and were rewarded with a converted try of their own to reduce the deficit to 26-12

Cheekiest try of the morning went to Sharks flanker Louis Ridley, who kicked a penalty into the corner, chased it down unchallenged and touched down in the corner. 31-12

Basildon had a late rally which resulted in two tries, one converted but Romford held on to win the game by 31-24

A hard fought victory for the Sharks and well deserved

Squad: James Tully, Miles Wilson, Adam Courtney, Harry McVelia, Aaron Irving-Still, Louis Ridley, Robson Burke (c), Ronnie Brooks, Kieran Philpot, Ross Walters, Brandan Farrant, Sam Brindle, Toby McCloud, Nathan Jarvis, Harry Wright, Sam Walker, Dylan Ellis, Caius Charles