Waterfall Cup U12s vs Wimbledon RFC

Match report by Greg Drain

The Waterfall cup produced another classic but this time Streatham-Croydon u12s unfortunately fell short on victory. Weather conditions were good for rugby after recent weeks and despite the pitch itself being more of an 80’s Sunday classic than we would have liked the players made light work of the conditions.

The match again was 12 a side with two 20 minute halves with the option to rotate players half way between each half effectively splitting the contest into quarters.

After a slow start where it would have seemed the storms of recent weeks had muted their ability to tackle and recognise the breakdown. By the end of the first quarter and some words of encouragement from the coaches, we found our straps and were firmly in the game. At half time we were only one try behind and in the ascendancy.

A slow start to the third quarter meant we went down four tries to one but in the fourth we pulled right back. Tries from Eli and a debut try from Arren as well as one from the returning Jack were all incredibly well engineered from the forwards through to the wings.

Ball handling was at a premium and the breakdown was a true contest that at times looked like they were playing well above their year group.

A mention must also go to the kids for their in-game management. On several occasions the coaches recognised that the players were adapting to the contest as a unit and showing real maturity. Territorial kicking (not just defensive), defensive positioning, support play up front were all highlights that make it all very exciting for this age group moving forward.

We can’t wait for London Irish.