JUNIOR RUGBY ROUNDUP
Stanford-le-Hope 5 Upper Clapton 82
(Junior Rugby U16s) UPPER Clapton got plenty of try-scoring action in preparation for their forthcoming tour to Belgium.
They virtually gave up taking the names of the scorers in the match because there was too many to mention.
The home side were short of players and Clapton helped their hosts out with the loan of squad members although this did stop the Thornwood lads winning by a cricket score.
Upper Clapton have two more matches still to play before their Belgium trip, where the squad will take time out to visit La Clytte Military Cemetery and lay a wreath on the grave of N Houghton, whose name is listed on the club's memorial of members killed in the two world wars.
Upper Clapton 17 Chelmsford 0
(Junior Rugby U13s) THE CLAPTON boys were ready for a hard game, having lost heavily to Chelmsford in the past, but they put in a strong display to earn them a good victory.
Clapton applied pressure on the visitors straight away.
After a few good tackles Harry Wood got the ball and after a great run, he touched down. The try was not converted.
Wood scored again but this time Sam Hester successfully kicked the conversion.
With five minutes until half time, Chelmsford pushed their way into the home 22 but Clapton got a turn over and the forwards did a good job of driving and rucking.
This led to Marcus Mohr taking a pass on the half-way line and running at speed to the line to touch down.
In the second half Chelmsford stepped up a gear and although both sides had chances, there was no further points scored.
The Clapton man of the match award went to Harry Wood, not only for his two tries but for being in the right place at the right time.
UPPER Clapton's squad of U9s minis travelled to Southend for the Essex County Festival.
They were in good form after recent wins against Eton Manor and Woodford.
As ever, the competition at the festival was stiff, but the Clapton boys were up for the challenge.
Their first match was against Eton Manor and, under the rules of the competition, teams that open up a clear six try advantage automatically win the game, Clapton's dominance gave them a comfortable win 6-0 win.
Their second game was a tougher affair, against Stanford-le-Hope.
With the teams much more evenly matched, Clapton secured their second win, defeating their opponents 1-0.
There was another four points to add to the six already in the bag.
Clapton finished their pool games with a match against Burnham-on-Crouch and emerged from this encounter as 3-1 victors.
In the sudden death semi-finals against Upminster, the winners of the U8s cup last season, Upper Clapton knew they had a battle on their hands.
In the early stages, both sides had an equal share of the ball and it was several minutes before the first score was recorded by Upminster.
After gaining the lead the cup holders never looked back and despite Clapton's best efforts they added a further two tries to secure a place in the final.
Woodford Rugby Club also entered mini squads in the Essex Festival and were represented in the U7s, U8s and U9s competitions.
Woodford results were: U9s beat Chelmsford, South Woodham Ferrers and Maldon and lost to Braintree and Westcliff.
The U8s squad lost to Upminster, beat Chelmsford, Maldon and Southend (35-20 in the Plate semi-final) and lost to Stanford 3-35 in the Plate final.
Woodford's most successful squad, the U7s, beat Rochford 30-20, lost to Southend 15-25, beat Romford 30-10, beat Thurrock 35-20 in the Plate semi-final and beat Brentwood 30-20 in the Plate Final.
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