| Toss
of a coin proves harrowing experience for U11s at Saracens Tournament
Sunday 7th November 2004 |
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The Under 11 squad at Saracens
put in some great performances only to find themselves robbed of a
place in the semi-final by the toss of a coin and their head coach's
lack of powers of prediction.
After the traditional slow
start defying all coaching attempts to wake up and fire up the squad,
Maids found themselves trailing to a soft try from Harrow at half
time in their first game. This (or the half time pep talk) seemed
to wake them up and a tremendous second half performance saw Duncan
Jones round off a great running attack to level the scores. Sadly
despite further pressure the win just eluded Maids, but things were
looking up.
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Our next opponents were Ruislip, one of whose 2nd row prompted several parents - and players - to ask if there were height or weight restrictions applicable at this level (he was certainly at least as big as several of the coaches!). Happily, size proved not to matter on this occasion and Maids ran out winners by 4 tries to one. Thomas Eckles scored in the first half to establish the lead, and the second half saw the squad spreading the ball wide to give two tries to winger Daniel Andrews-Jones, with Dominik Bart claiming one for the forwards. The one try conceded was an interception against the run of play and was to prove ultimately very costly. The final pool match (there should have been one more, but Sandal sadly did not attend) saw Maids face hosts Saracens, who had won their first two games (and the Windsor Tournament a few weeks ago). Against the odds, Maids neutralised the threat of a much bigger pack, and were unlucky to concede a try in the final moment of the first half. The 2nd half was all Maids, but we couldn't quite breach the Saracens defence, with some players forgetting what they'd remembered in the Ruislip game and failing to release the backs as often as they might. Praise must go to the forwards, Josh Edney, Huw Kmiot, Michael Stacey and Dominik Bart led by vice captain Alex Avery (a nominee for player of the tournament) for a great effort. |
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At the end of the pool games
Maids were tied with Harrow on points, try difference, and most other
measures readily to hand. In an effort to avoid trial by coin toss,
the squads opted for a 'golden try' re-match. Maids had (conservatively)
90% of possession; spent the entire game in the Harrow half; crossed
the line at least twice to have tries snatched from them, but could
not get the winning score.
Despite all agreeing (at least
one Harrow coach included) that Maids were the better side, it came
down to the toss of a coin for a place in the semi-final. 'Tails never
fails' they say; it did this time! Sorry boys.
Harrow went through and lost
6 tries to nil in the semi to eventual winners Amersham & Chiltern
(they beat Saracens by 1 try to nil).
Maids went on to a play off
against Romford and Gidea Park. Some frustration was expelled as Maids
scored 4 unanswered tries through Chris Dow, William Thompson (captain
for the day and other nominee for player of the tournament),
Michael Stacey and Thomas Eckles. A good win to end a day when the
toss of a coin had not been kind.
On the day: Played 5; Won 2;
Drew 2; Lost 1. Tries for: 9; tries against: 3. By no means a bad
performance and all the players can be proud of their efforts.
The squad: Alex Avery, Huw
Kmiot, Josh Edney, Dominik Bart, Michael Stacey, Sam McCarthy, Luke
Thomas, William Thompson, Leo Smith, Will Turner, Daniel Andrews-Jones,
Chris Dow, Max O'Connor, Duncan Jones, Thomas Eckles
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