U8's
15th April 2007 – Chingford Festival
Woodford lose out in Final to Golden Try – Runners up in the Cup and Plate
Woodford took a squad of 17 players to the Chingford Festival – much to the relief of the organisers when one team failed to show up. Woodford split into two squads and started a successful campaign in each of the Pool games.
Woodford Blues had impressive wins against hosts Chingford 30 - 15, Harlow 35 – 15 and Westcliffe 25 – 15. This meant they won the pool and would play the runners up of the other Pool.
In the other Pool Woodford Reds beat Stanford Le Hope 25 – 20, drew with Upminster 25 –25 and narrowly lost to Ealing 30 –40. Ealing topped the Pool with Woodford Reds as runners up.
This set up a semi final clash between the two Woodford teams. In an exciting and evenly matched contest both teams gave a good performance with the result being 25 –25. According to the rules of the festival the result would be determined on the toss of a coin. Woodford Blues would go through to the cup final and Woodford Reds to the Plate final.
In the Plate Final Woodford Reds were up against Westcliffe. With 2 tries from Zak and one each from James and Austin Woodford were in the game all the time but it was not enough to match Westcliffe who ran out 20 – 35 winners. Plate Runners Up - Woodford Reds.
In the Cup Final Woodford Blues played Ealing. A close first half ended with Ealing ahead 5 – 10. However, Woodford rallied in the second half with 3 tries from William and 1 by Ciaran. This match Ealing and the match reached full time tied at 25 – 25. The game then went into extra time and the “golden try” rule – the next team to score would win. Woodford tried hard to keep Ealing out but could not stop the try to give the win to Ealing.
Cup Runners Up - Woodford Blues
11th March 2007 – Essex Cup
Woodford Under 8’s travelled to the Essex Cup with high hopes. As joint winners of the cup at Under 7 and with a good season so far Woodford were keen to show how well they could do. Conditions were ideal with bright sunshine and a good pitch.
We were a little disappointed to find Upminster, the team we drew with in the Under 7 final last year, were in the same pool. We had to be ready to clash with them earlier than anticipated.
The first game was Woodford v Upper Clapton. We were looking for a bright start and having won the toss took the game straight to Upper Clapton. A frantic start saw Woodford pressing for the line and with some swift passing we soon crossed over for our first try. Upper Clapton came back straight away and were rewarded with a try. Another attack from Woodford resulted in a try but Upper Clapton were not to be left behind and scored again. A tightening up in Woodford’s defence saw Upper Clapton start to make mistakes that Woodford seized upon. A further two tries to Woodford gave them a comfortable 20 –10 half time lead. Try scorers in the first half Jonathan (2) William H and Krishan. The second half was a keen contest with both sides tagging well but with Woodford making the pressure tell as they kept Upper Clapton out all half. James came on to support the attack and helped as Dan and William H ran in a try each. Final score 30 – 10 to Woodford.
Our second game was against Upminster, and as we heard the Upminster coach tell his team “This is the final”. Woodford started brightly and from the start pushed Upminster back, created some space and in went Rhys for the first try. This could have been important in the event the game was tied, as the first try would decide the winner. However, Upminster were not in the mood to take things easy and struck back with a good try. Woodford attacked again but a foot in touch lost us the ball. The game was close and any turnover ball was going to be exploited. Upminster took full advantage and scored. Woodford struck back with a good try by Ciaran. Upminster had the last say in the half with another well worked try. Half time 10 – 20 to Upminster. The second half followed the same pattern, any mistakes were punished and the defence pressure was great. Two tries to Rhys in the second half kept Woodford in touch and Max came on to try to work some magic. Upminster gaining another turnover ball ran in three tries and won the game 20 – 35.
We knew we would not win the Pool but could now concentrate on coming second and entering the Plate competition.
Our third game was against Stanford Le Hope. Having got the measure of their nippy winger Woodford played to their strengths. Max, Jonathan and Robert played well, good tagging and pressure forced errors and attacks were well supported and the passing good. First half tries from Jack, Rhys, William C and William H gave Woodford a 20 –10 half time lead. In the second half Dan came on to score a try and Rhys bagged another. In the second half Callum came on and secured the centre of the field and made some good tags. Aiden made some blistering breaks and Austin and James came on to make sure of the win in the last few minutes. A fine 30 – 25 victory securing us second place in the table.
In the semi final we met Rochford. Woodford were quickly into the game with Zac seeming to find space every time he got the ball. Twice he raced through to score tries and other times produced the break to create an opportunity for others. Murali, William C, Jonathan and William H kept up the pressure on Rochford and forced them in to errors. A try for Rhys and one for Dan gave Woodford a 20 – 10 lead at half time. In the second half Woodford really stepped on the gas and although Rochford tried to keep in touch with three tries of their own they were swept away. James and Callum came on to add to the attack with Callum scoring a try. Rhys added another, Jonathan one and William H two. Final score 45 – 25 to Woodford.
The Plate final was between Woodford and Wanstead. Woodford started well and were soon on the score sheet thanks to Rhys but Wanstead were not going to let this game get away from them if they could help it. William H, Jonathan and Jack played important parts but could not prevent a score as Wanstead attacked. Zac continuing his semi final form raced in with two tries and Ciaran added another. Wanstead kept in touch and at half time it was 20 – 15 to Woodford. The second half was evenly matched as Woodford and Wanstead matched each other try for try, two to Rhys for Woodford. The introduction of William C and Krishan gave Woodford some space. Max came on to cover out wide. Callum, James and Austin came on to boost Woodford for the last few moments. Woodford were pushed close but deservedly won 30 –25.
Woodford RFC Under 8’s – Essex Plate Winners 2007.
