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Sunday 30 September 2008
U13 Lions got off to a flying start being their first game on a full sized pitch playing 15 a side against Chingford. First half saw tries from Ben Fryatt and Elliot Chaffey both from commanding forward positions and from Conor Hynes adapting well to full back position. Jack Redhead and Alex Brighton both showed great strength for the forwards earning themselves a try a piece. Jordan Fields presence on the left wing earned him a well deserved try with a further effort from Hynes wrapping up a great display from Lions. Conversions from Tom Stone and George Cox added to the score to create a final score of 41-3. Great 1st matches in Lions for Joe Daniels George West and Ben Kamall
Sunday 7 October 2008
Upminster U13’s continued their great start to their season with Tigers opening victory 33-0 over Burnham. Billy Hayes opened Tigers account showing great presence in the pack. Jamie Marsh’s strength in the centre earned him a hat-trick of tries, with Conor Marsh and Shaun Scrace joining the list of try scorers. Ciaran Finn and Tom Aylott combined well at Scrum Half and Fly Half respectively. Burnham probed Tigers defence repeatedly but the tackling of Jonathon Dobbie Sam Crawford and Lewis Conway helped Tigers to keep a clean score sheet
Sunday 14th October 2007 Westcliff Under 13’s Festival
Lions were not at their best at the Westcliff u-13’s festival but still managed to win a place in the plate Final.
Lions were not able to take control of their opening game against Braintree although there were strong performances and tackling from Ben Fryatt and George West in the pack. Edward Piggott showed great strength with some strong running. A thoughtful kick from Jack Golding nearly created a try for Conor Hynes but Lions were unlucky lose out to Braintree5-0.
The Ipswich B match saw Lions start to string some passes together from Joe Daniels, Jack Golding & Tom Stone, but its was a majestic Conor Hynes run, dodging 6 tackles that helped set up a score form George Cox. John Taylor, Connor Gunyon and Alex Brighton all showed great presence of mind in the pack to keep Lions in the Ipswich territory for the majority of the game. Lions win 5-0.
Brentwood took the final pool match by the scruff of the neck in the first half against Lions running in 4 quick tries whilst the Upminster boys appeared half asleep. Brave efforts from Nick Herring and Matthew helped stem the flow in the second half but Lions went down 25-0 by the final whistle.
The Quarter final was a tight affair, with Lions being 1 try down early on. Jordan Field made some early runs and Matthew Byrne, Matthew Ball and Alex Brighton strung some ggod passes together to keep the pressure on Thurrock. George Cox came up with the good again in the shape of a try in the second half aided and abetted by Elliott Chaffey. A 5-5 scoreline meant extra time and Joe Daniels delivered the Golden Try to send Lions to the Semi Final.
Lions were quickly off the mark against Chingford in the Semi-Final in the shape of Jordan Field who charged up the pitch after the kick off for his opening try and nearly pulled of the same trick from then next kick off! John Taylor again showed great strength for the forwards as did Ryan Slaney. The place in the final was sealed with another Joe Daniels try. Lions win 10-0
The final proved a damp squib for Lions who largely ‘failed to turn up’ rather than any great play from Westcliff. Bright spots for Upminster were performances from Nick Herring whose interceptions led to a couple of chances and some brave tackling from Ben Kamall. Westcliff were better on the day wining 15-0.
Sunday 21st October 2007
Upminster Tigers vs. Medway
Upminster U13 Tigers were unlucky to lose a thrilling match by three tries to two against Medway at the weekend.
The Tigers started the game in complete control applying early pressure which eventually resulted in a great charge down and try by Connor Marsh mid way through the first half. Medway tried to get back in the game, but Upminster defended well as a team, with strong tackling by Keenan Casey, Billy Hayes, Jack Shepherd and Matthew Long to retain their advantage. Upminster also had further opportunities and should have extended their lead with penetrating runs from Connor O’Grady and Jack Redhead, and Josh Capon was just caught as he broke through the last line of Medway’s defence. The whole team were playing as a unit and moving the ball well but just couldn’t get that second important try.
Medway came out much more determined in the second half and it required a last ditch tackle by Jamie Marsh to prevent the equalising try early on. Upminster defended doggedly and continued their own attacking with powerful runs from Joe Sayers and Tom Aylott, with Sam Crawford working hard on the wing. However Medway were moving the ball fluently and eventually broke through to score two quick tries down the wing.
The Tigers regained their composure and started to press forward again. Persistent pressure from the Forwards and good link play by the Backs pushed Upminster deep into the Medway half, and resulted in Upminster’s second try; another brave charge down by Connor Marsh, with Jamie Marsh scooping up the loose ball and running into the corner to level the match at two tries each.
The final few minutes were evenly balanced with Upminster’s substitutes playing a key role as the intensity of the match took its toll. Unfortunately the speed of the Medway Backs proved decisive as they ran a third try into the corner. Upminster fought and pressed to find their third try but time ran out.
A very close game which Upminster could have won, especially if they could have turned their first half dominance into more tries.
Upminster Lions v Braintree
What a difference a week makes!
Following a poor performance at Westcliff last week Lions pulled off an impressive win against last years Essex Champions Braintree 39-0.
From the outset Lions gave Braintree little room to play their usual game. Tom Stone’s probing kicks allowed John Taylor to test Braintree’s defences early on. The much better shape to the back line allowed Joe Daniels and Nick Herring to link well together. However it was the strength of Alex Brighton in the maul that gave the opportunity to Jordan Field to break out of defence to score the opening try mid way through the 1st Half.
The whole team appeared to step up a gear with Jack Golding beavering away behind the scrum and Ben Fryatt solid as full back running the ball back at Braintree on a number of occasions. However it was Field who stole the ball again from Braintree and powered past the opposition to give Lions a 2 try advantage at half-time.
Field was alert from the 2nd half Kick Off to pounce on loose ball to run in his 3rd of the day which was converted by Golding. Lions used the advantage of the slope well, Conor Hynes followed Field’s example evading a flagging Braintree defence. Further well deserved scores came from Jack Golding and Ryan Slaney both from close quarters and a trademark Hynes effort from deep in his own half slicing through the defence like a hot knife through butter. The further points were added through a George Cox conversion.
Sunday 28 October
Lions faced a tough local derby with Romford & Gidea Park this weekend. Lions took early territorial advantage with George West and Conor Gunyon combining well at the front together with Elliott Chaffey causing problems for the opposition as flanker. However R & GP turned over the ball too many times for comfort and despite some good positional kicking from Jack Golding, Romford went into the ½ time break one try to the good. They immediately stretched their lead after the kick off thanks to some sloppy Lions tackling.
There was renewed determination from the restart notably from Nick Herring and Conor Hynes whose determined tackle and deft pick-up put R&GP on the back foot. Their resulting clearance kick only reached the capable hands of Jordan Field who powered his way through six tackles to reach the try line. George Cox’s conversion narrowed the gap to 3 points. Replacements Matthew Byrne and Patrick Wilson added some fresh legs up-front, but it was Field again, who once in position of the ball appears unstoppable, who earned the second try – this time converted by Jack Golding.
Lions were taking full advantage of the slope and were camped out on R&GPs try line for the last few minutes of the game. A smart move from No8 John Taylor feeding to Joe Daniels from a 5 metre scrum was unlucky not to result in a score. Lions were pleased with the 14-10 win.
Sunday 11 November Chelmsford V Upminster Lions (24-36)
The art of the comeback is being perfected by u13 Lions this year. Against Chelmsford on Sunday they quickly found themselves with a 3 try deficit, this despite some fine work from Ryan Slaney and Alex Brighton for the forwards, ably directed by Bradley Martin behind the scrum.
After the customary words at half time from the coaches Lions took the pitch a different team. The ball was well distributed by Martin through Jack Golding opening up opportunities for Jordan Field who notched up another hat-trick of tries and Conor Hynes who bagged another two. The score was rounded off George West who went over with help from John Taylor & Ben Fryatt. Conversions from Jack Golding (1) & George Cox (2) gave Lions a 36-24 win.
Thurrock V Upminster Tigers
The Tigers continued their roller-coaster of form this weekend, going down 48 – 0 to a very quick, accurate and clinical Thurrock team.
The Tigers had a few key players missing and therefore a number of the boys played out of their regular positions. This led to some gaps in the team’s shape allowing a couple of early tries which the Tigers never seemed to recover from.
Only deep into the first half did the Tigers really get themselves together and start to push the game to Thurrock, and they were unlucky not to score a try on the back of some determined running by Jack Redhead.
Although a disappointing performance overall, there were also some positives with the Forwards, Jay Martin and Louis Hennessy particularly, standing up well against a very big and strong Thurrock pack, and Shaun Scrace demonstrated his versatility and running in the Backs, with good support from Tom Aylott.
Sunday 18 November Upminster Lions V Blackheath (17-26)
Lions made a bright start against a Blackheath team that wanted to run the ball from the outset. A fine tackle form Jack Golding released the ball for Jordan Field, whose powerful running did the rest to earn his first try of the day. George Cox converted to take an early 7-0 lead. From the re-start Louis Parr took the game to Blackheath with a fine take and run, Nick Herring was solid as ever defensively with Joe Daniels showing some initiative in the centres. However it was cleverly placed kick by George Cox, chased down by Jordan Field that set up the opportunity for Conor Hynes to take Lions advantage to 2 tries. Blackheath clawed one back before half time only for Field to restore Lions lead going into the break.
The second half saw Blackheath’s resolve strengthen and despite some great forward work from John Taylor and Matthew Byrne, as soon as the opposition had the ball they released their quick and strong centres. Parr again showed the opposition a clean pair of heels following another precise Cox positional kick, and Jack Shepherd also chipped with a couple good runs from full back. Blackheath managed a further 3 tries in the second half to overhaul Lions lead. Final score Blackheath 26 – Lions 17.
Sunday 25th November: Upminster Tigers V Eaton Manor
Upminster Tigers performed much better than the score line suggested against Eaton Manor at the weekend.
The Tigers held their shape much better than at their last outing, and even with some new faces in the squad, they played more cohesively and as a team.
However, Eaton Manor made the most of the downhill advantage in the first half with their Forwards powering through five tries unanswered. The Tigers had some running of their own though, with good intelligent play from Bradley Martin, Tom Stone and Josh Capon combining well in the centre. Plus there was some strong defensive work from Ross Kelly and Jack Shepherd making two try saving tackles in defence.
The second half was a much closer battle, with the Tigers’ Forwards stepping up to the challenge. There was solid defence from John Atkinson tackling and winning the ball, with good support and running by Daniel Libby, and Callum Gentleman coming into the action. This improved performance led to the Tigers first try ten minutes into the second half when Ben Ashton weaved through Eaton Manor’s defence and set up Jack Redhead to touch the ball down. Not long after and Jack followed up with a fine run of his own, resulting in his second try of the game. Ben Ashton kept up the pressure and was unlucky not to score a third for the Tigers (I am sure he will be reminded of that through-out the season!). It was a good period of play for the Tigers, and there was even the glimmer of a comeback.
The final quarter of the game was well balanced, but unfortunately the Eaton Manor pack regained its momentum and drove home three more tries to wrap up the game by 44 points to 10. Overall though, a much better Tigers performance and one that can be built upon.
Sunday 2 December
Lions took to a windswept and rain-soaked pitch this Sunday against Wanstead with a number of changes to the squad, showing the depth of talent in the team. Despite the conditions the ball was quickly moved on several occasions, as it should, through the backs Tom Stone, Joe Daniels, Josh Capon and James Roome setting the ball up for the forwards. However it was Jack Shepherd at full back taking the ball into contact that set up the first of Jordan Fields tries early on which was ably converted by Jack Golding. Lions kept Wanstead pinned in their own half, Ben Fryatt looking particularly sharp as flanker as did Matthew Byrne. It was the strength of Josh Capon at Outside Centre that earned territory for Joe Daniels to take on Wanstead back line and score Lions second, duly converted by Tom Stone. A loose kick from Wanstead was all the opportunity that Field needed to flash pass the opposition for his second of the day. Wanstead using the slope to their advantage narrow the gap before the ½ time break to 19-10.
A few changes at the interval and the down hill advantage allowed lions to capitalise on their advantage, Bradley Martin took command seamlessly behind the scrum, whilst Alex Brighton set up Capon and Fields next attack at Wanstead, however it was Connor Gunyon who took advantage of the forward’s combined effort going over from close quarters. Patrick Wilson (captain) who directed the pack brilliantly earned a well deserved try shortly after further extending Lions advantage. The game was put Wanstead’s reach thanks to an opportunistic try from a 5m scrum by Ryan Slaney, converted by Tom Stone. Jack Golding chipped in with 2 darting runs from Fly Half earning him 2 tries for the day.
Final Score Lions 51 – Wanstead 10
Sunday 9 December
Upminster U13 Tigers vs. Stanford Le Hope
The Upminster U13 Tigers finished 2007 with a determined and decisive performance, winning a well balanced match 20 – 5 at Stanford Le Hope.
The Tigers started well, pressurising and pushing Stanford back in their own half, with the Forwards continually making progress towards the try line. Just before the 10 minute mark and the Tigers were rewarded with a typical Jack Redhead try, coming off the back of his front line and ploughing through the defence to touch down in the corner.
The Tigers kept up the pressure from the subsequent kick off, with the Backs combining well, Tom Aylott at Fly Half, feeding the line quickly and Ben Ashton testing the defence with some fine running. It took very good kicking from Stanford to get into the Tigers half and it was a well placed kick to the corner that eventually resulted in Stanford’s equalising try on the 20 minute mark.
However the Tigers were really committed in this game and continued to push forward, Jo Sayers, Matthew Healy and Josh Sansom working hard in defence, and Joe Daniels, back at Scrum Half, making some very testing runs. As half time approached, Josh Capon powered through to finish a fine move and score Upminster’s second try.
Stanford came out stronger and more attacking in the second half, but Upminster defended well and stepped up to the challenge. Connor O’Grady and John Atkinson tackling well and providing a solid line of defence, with Conor Marsh coming on to provide another influx of energy and verve. Ben Lewin also made an immediate impact with some fine running straight through the centre to bring the attacking emphasis back to Upminster. The Tigers’ third try was a great piece of thinking from Ryan Slaney, running onto a penalty pass to slice his way through the Stanford defence.
The Tigers soaked up more pressure from Stanford, but remained in control and wrapped up the result when Jack Redhead scored his second try of the game to take the score to Stanford 5 – Upminster 20. Stanford had a final fling at reducing the deficit, and was camped on the Upminster 5m line at the end of the game, but some great defending from each and every one of the Tigers eventually led to them taking the final attacking run, and the whistle for a well deserved win.
A fantastic all-round team performance!
Sunday 20 January 2008
Upminster u-13s put the wind up Westcliff!!!
Upminster U-13 Lions took to a windy pitch this Sunday against Westcliff trying to reverse the loss to Westcliff of their last meeting.
The Lions squad was missing some of there usual 1st team regulars however the U-13s Tigers provide some great replacements who looked at ease in the Lions Team which show the depth of talent with in the Upminster u-13 squad.
Despite the conditions the ball was quickly moved out wide on several occasions with Jack Golding & Tom Stone combining well with centres Nick Herring & Josh Capon. The 1st Try did not take long in coming & was taken well by Connor Hynes after hard work from James Roome before he had to retire with an injury & Jack golding converted
Replacement Ben Ashton soon got up to speed with the match & produced a mazy run to score a superb solo try which was converted by George Cox
The forwards were in fine form winning plenty of ball with Alex Brighton back to his best & being supported well by George West who continues to improve his game every week
Mathew Ball produced some excellent line outs which lead to Ben Fryatt & Edward Piggott setting out a maul from which Connor Hynes went over for his 2nd try & jack Golding duly converted
Into the 2nd half & against the wind Lions would surely be tested by a westcliff team full of Essex County players & Full back Louis Parr had to be at his best to stop a determined Westcliff attack which resulted in Matthew Byrne breaking free & passing to Elliott Chaffey who run half the length of the pitch before off loading to Ben Kamall who got held up 5mts out only for Ryan Slaney to spot Connor Hynes running on the loop to give him his hat trick
When the game was secured Lions made some changes with Bradley Martin moving to scrum half, Sam Wheeler coming into the centres however the changes did not unsettle the team who kept their discipline well throughout a match where they was judged to have given away over 15 penalties but despite this & with Jordan Field & Jay Martin showing some great defensive work the score finished up a resounding 0 -26 to Upminster
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