A good day out at Alton for the Celts

Gosport and Fareham RFC U-10s, the Mighty Celts, enjoyed an excellent Sunday as Alton Rugby Club played host to a number of teams from around the South, including Winchester, Petersfield, Guildfordians, Fawley and New Milton.
Gosport were drawn in the tough pool one , together with old rivals Petersfield, Winchester and the hosts Alton. Match one saw Gosport take on a spirited Petersfield side, who recently came to our own training session a few a Sundays ago.
From the start it was clear the Celts were keen to lay down a marker, with some strong attacking rugby using the width of the pitch and getting the ball through players hands. The rucks were hit with authority and the side quickly built to a unassailable 5-2 lead in early in the second half before eventually running out 7-2 winners.
The next match was a very different affair against the hosts Alton, a streetwise game saw the hosts manage to hold on to a narrow lead for most of the match before running out winners 3-1, which in reality was a harsh reflection on a tight game with a couple breaks resulting in the two key tries.
Not disheartened Gosport instead fought back in the final group match against a well fancied Winchester side, who had already demonstrated their prowess in the group. The celts arguably played the game of the day in a superb 5-3 win. Rucks were hit with purpose, the defensive line was well organised and importantly there was great 'Heads up Rugby' with the team quickly getting the ball along the line and attacking space, plus offloading out of the tackle, intelligent well considered play.
The tot of results from the group one pool saw the Celts placed 2nd thus Gosport and Fareham were drawn against the 2nd placed team in group two, Fawley, for a straight shoot out for overall third place in the tournament.
The final match was in common to much of the day a very tight match with full commitment from every player. The basics were well executed and every play keenly contested. Fawley took a narrow lead into halftime which was to eventually prove deceive, with Fawley running out 4-3 winners.
None of this should distract from an excellent day of quality teamwork. Every person played their part in an committed and impressive display throughout the tournament. Equally the parents played their part with great support from the sidelines, plus an emergency shelter re-gather.....as our shelter made a break for freedom!
A great team effort is often a well used cliche, but today's performance was the essence of that teamwork. Well done for a top days effort to the mighty team, Jamie Arnold, Hugh Campbell-Baldwin, Peter Headley, Henry Hughes, Thomas Hutchinson, Jack Magan, Henry Moran, Jayden Ryan, Henry Shaw, Austin Tavener, Owen Williams, Samuel Willsteed!

Mark Headley