Cobham ‘A’ Festival Sunday 6th October 2008

You can tell it was a Sunday Rugby Festival day, as the heavens had opened. On arriving at Cobham RFC – cars were being directed to park on the grassed area by The Fairmile Arms – Will certainly be interesting on leaving - anyone with a 4 wheel drive!! (Certainly for some of the old school they had different ideas).

Arriving at the U10’s pitch it was pretty bare compared to the other pitches, where tents were being erected. John arrived with his gazebo – what a welcome sight that was. It took a matter of minutes to put up and a decision was made to attach the guy ropes – only the Met office had predicted Wet and WINDY!!. Now we were under cover. In the distance you could see a packhorse carrying a large object – it was Richard struggling with the new tent (wouldn’t you dragging it 300m or so –have a try yourself sometime). From the practice the week before the tent was up in no time at all.

The team of players arrived, Ben, Blake, Charlie A, Daniel D, Fraser, George, Jack, Miles, Max, Rupert, Sam and William. The coaches started the training –all wrapped up in waterproofs – Jo helping with the all important warm up. Surprisingly most of the parents were inspecting the inside of the new tent. I don’t know what had happened but the players had placed all their bits and bobs neatly around the inside of the tent – maybe this is what the parents were actually looking at – or was it the miserable weather.
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There were six teams in the U10’s festival – Cobham, Camberley, Sutton & Epsom, Brighton, Old Reedonians and Richmond. The matches would be 6 minutes each way with 2 minutes at half time. Nine players on each side.

In our group, Pool 1, we had been drawn with Sutton & Epson and Cobham.

Results of Pool 1

Camberley v Sutton. Camberley won 3 tries to 2.
Camberley v Cobham. Camberley lost 4 tries to 0.

Camberley were now through to the Festival Semi Final against a very good side in Brighton.

Result

Camberley v Brighton. Brighton won by 4 tries to 0.

Tim got the boys together in the tent and warmly congratulated them on all their efforts, as all the coaches had done throughout the days play. Thankfully the rain had eased up.

It was a cracking effort by Camberley, so VERY WELL DONE, especially considering the size of some of the other teams players – which certainly helped in the bulk of their pack. It was great to see the quality of rugby played at the U10’s with some very comprehensive passing and re-cycling of the ball.

Did anyone see who took our tent? It must have weighed a ton.

Match Report for Camberley V Sutton & Epsom

Camberley first game was about to get underway against Sutton, who on previous occasions had always given us a good run.

The game started well, Sutton with the ball - Camberley putting in some good tackles, Sutton spilling the ball. Fraser collected it and Camberley pressed forward. Turnover and Sutton now in possession passing well along their line, couple of missed tackles and Sutton were close to our try line. Sutton again passed well along the line, finding the gap, Try – Sutton one up.

From the re- start Camberley into Suttons half, ball spilled (not surprising as it was very wet). Rupert put in a very good tackle followed up by a tackle from Ben. Sutton AGAIN passing well, good tackles by Camberley. Sutton with the ball in their own half –tackle by Ben, ball spilled again and turned over, Blake picks it up and with a darting run, with pressure and tackles from Sutton he drove on (there was a pass on to William) but Blake’s momentum took him over 1-1.

Restart – Sutton pushed into the Camberely half. Scrum to Camberley. Out to Fraser with a very good run through. Play near to the Sutton try line, Sutton had the ball on their touch line and dropped – Daniel dived onto it and Try 2-1. The ref blew for half time.

Camberley started – turnover to Sutton who were passing and pressing up to Camberley’s try line. Scrum to Sutton - ball out – Sutton’s possession and moved it forward looking dangerous – forward pass. Pressure off. Scrum to Camberley – ball out and turnover to Sutton, but a knock on. Scrum to Camberley, passing well George got the ball and made a very good run up the right wing. Scrum to Camberely into the Sutton half. Rupert good pass to Fraser with another good pressing run, William now with the ball dart to Sutton’s corner, some good tackles that lead to a turnover of the ball. Sutton’s scrum. Now raining very hard. Ball still well into Suttons half - maul - Rupert pressed forward with the ball pass to Charlie and a drive over the line - try number three (3-1).

Sutton with the ball from the restart – Sam put in a good tackle. Sutton pushing along the wing – knock on. Daniel off Miles on and into the Scrum – near to Camberleys’ line. Ball out into Sutton’s possession – pushing forward –darting run and over for a try, 3-2. Refs final whistle game over – Very good game by both teams in the difficult playing conditions. Result 3-2 to Camberley (not the slow start that can sometimes be expected!!!).

Into the tent for the well deserved rest and team talk ready for the next game.

A big thank you to Cobham for their hospitality and great festival.
(Next year please book the good weather in advance)

Official photographers at Cobham were

www.nakphotograpy.co.uk