Upminster RFC under 13’s report Sunday 5th November 2006. Upminster under 13’s played host to Basildon in a thrilling encounter which saw the visitors sneak a 29-31 win.   This was a very ‘lively’ affair which saw early domination from the Basildon pack, which physically were the heavier of the two. Basildon won early scrums and they also dominated the rucks and mauls with sheer power.   It was no surprise to see Basildon streak into a 0-14 lead after 10 minutes. Following this the Upminster back row marshalled by Captain Thomas CLARK began to make inroads and played some delightful running rugby. The Upminster forwards fought back and flanker Freddie MARSTON ‘danced’ his way through to score a well deserved try in the corner. The resultant conversion was missed and at half time Upminster trailed by 5-14.   Right from the re-start MARSTON was again through but excellent Basildon rear guard action held him up. The 5m scrum was won by Upminster and a penalty awarded with Basildon well offside. This allowed James PERKINS to break free and score well. The conversion was successful which brought the scores to 12-14 in favour of Basildon.   Some great rugby by both sides ensued, Basildon scoring a further try to lead by 12-19. James BOWERS then powered over for Upminster following some great work by man of the match James PEGG, Upminster’s scrum half. PERKINS added his second try of the match to give Upminster a brief lead 22-19. Basildon struck back scoring two further tries and a consolation by Upminster from Barnie MOUL at the death was too little too late enabling Basildon to win 29-31.   There were excellent Upminster performances from Nick COX, Mathew PITT, Alex LANG and Thomas WHIPPS. Upminster RFC under 13’s report Sunday 15th October 2006. Upminster under 13’s travelled to Westcliffe RFC on Sunday for the under 13’s Essex Festival with a total of 16 Clubs in attendance. They were pooled in with Chingford, Burnham and Woodford these games went as follows. Game 1:  Upminster 10 V Chingford 0 A try in each half from from Freddie Marston & Barnie Moul gave Upminster a solid start in the Championship. Excellent forward play from Mathew Pitt and James Bowers allowed the back row to revel with scrum half James Pegg having an excellent game. Game 2:  Upminster 15 V Burnham 5 Upminster dominated this game running out comfortable 15-5 winners. A brace of tries from Moul and a superb run from the impressive James Perkins sealed a solid win, Burnham gaining a late consolation. Alex Mammato made a try saving tackle worthy of note. Game 3:  Upminster 10 V Woodford 0 Winger Alex Lang impressed in this hard fought match. The forwards Dave Laybourn and Alfie Beaumont worked hard again setting up quality possession for the backs who were marshalled and controlled by skipper Thomas Clark. Upminster scored each side of half time again through Marston and Moul, but James Perkins was a real handful throughout the match. Upminster running out clear winners 10-0. Quarter Final:  Upminster 5 V Bromley 5 (Bromley won 1-0 on kick off) Upminster and Bromley fought out a superb match which went into sudden death extra time. Bromley shocked Upminster taking a 30 second lead when their flying winger escaped two challenges touching down in the corner. Upminster ‘woke up’ and dominated play from thereon equalising through Flanker Thomas Whipps following some excellent work by James Bowers.  The domination failed to secure the win Upminster deserved, and a sudden death 22 metre ‘kick off’ decided the match. Barnie Moul bravely stepped up first and to his and the Upminster teams horror his kick crashed against the post. The Bromley lads went through when they converted their first kick, a cruel way to lose! Effingham 10's Festival Upminster Rugby Club under 13’s ‘new look’ squad travelled to Effingham in Surrey on Sunday 24th September for a 10 a side competition and came away with a worthy ‘plate win’. Having experienced the ‘defection’ of half a dozen players from the previous ‘mini section’ Upminster under 13’s have re-grouped. Early season training paid dividends on Sunday coupled with the odd bit of good fortune which saw them secure a very good third place and a plate win at the expense of Camberley RFC.   Upminster played a total of 5 matches on Sunday and this is how they faired.  Game 1 Upminster v Camberley; Upminster’s opening pool game saw them win 15-5 with James PERKINS running in a fine brace of tries. A try by Nick COX late on in the second half sealed a well deserved win. Excellent forward work by Mathew PITT and James BOWERS throughout.   Game 2 Upminster v Effingham A; A very physical encounter saw Effingham scrape to a fortuitous 10-5 win. Only a break away try against the run of play sealed the win, when a draw looked a certainty. Barnie MOUL ran in an equaliser straight after half time. The Effingham A ‘freak’ try was right on the final whistle. A bruising forward match with Dave LEYBURN and Thomas WHIPPS starring.  Game 3   Upminster v Effingham B; A fine display of free running rugby saw Upminster destroy Effingam B in a very one sided match. Upminster took the lead through Captain Thomas CLARK and a try by the industrious Freddie MARSTON saw them lead 12-0 at half time. James Perkins came into his own in the second half and the ‘flying winger’ ran in two further tries to which Effingham managed a last gasp consolation. The final score of 24-5 being well deserved. Alex Lang, Alex Mammato and James ROSS all worthy of note.     Game 4  Upminster v Old RUTTS Upminster came up against the eventual tournament winners and were on the back foot from the start. A superb display of 10’s rugby saw Old RUTTS win this one sided encounter 38-0 and Upminster had no complaints.  With the pool games completed Upminster were paired against Camberley in the ‘Plate Final’ The Upminster boys dominated this game and made it 2 wins out of 2 against a very good Camberley outfit. Tries from the excellent James PERKINS, Barnie MOUL and Nick COX secured a very good win for a rejuvenated Upminster under 13’s. All the boys played well and deserved early season success.