The Saxons travelled to Bognor Regis Rugby Club to enter the Burleigh Travel Rugby Festival. The Festival had attracted teams from across the country and at Under nine, the Saxons faced the hosts, old friends Portsmouth, Shoreham and tourists Edenbridge from Kent.
The day started fine with the ground fairly wet, but as the rain arrived and the matches progressed, the muddy puddles grew and the players took great delight at making a muddy puddle tackle!
Saxons 6 - 2 Bognor Regis
The Saxons really turned it on right form the start with great teamwork and passing to strike through the Bognor defence and score tries. In defence we were well organised and denied Bognor any breaks and drove them backwards in the tackle and winning turnovers through Bognor errors. It was breathless to watch and showed all that is great about the Saxons! Tries to Oliver K (3) Ben B (2)Callum (1)
Shoreham 2 - Saxons 0
Shoreham were a much harder opposition amd it was a very close game, neither side giving any quarter, but shoreham managed to break through and score twice.
Saxons 4 - 3 Portsmouth
It was great to see Portsmouth at Bognor and this was a frenetic and hard fought match. The teams were equal at 3-3 at half time and Saxons turned it on to secure a try by a wonderful interception and try by
Tries to Oliver K(2), Aden J (1) Matthew T (1)
Edenbridge 7 - Saxons 1
As the weather worsened, Saxons found it hard to contatin the rampant tourists and Edenbridge were able to exploit gaps in our defence. However, the Saxons played with real passion and determination, and it was not an easy ride for Edenbridge, who finished the tournament unbeaten and worthy Festival winners.
It was a great day for the Saxons, they were competetive throughout, won matches and lost matches to the hardest opponents. There was lots to be proud of; the Saxons are absolutely playing as a team and are valuing each players contribution. Every player is confident carrying the ball into contact, taking the tackle and protecting the ball. Every player is looking to pass or offload the ball sensibly, when appropriate and maintaining the attack.
In defence we are now organising a proper line defence, starting to come up as a line, committing to the tackle, and driving players backwards. The coaches acan ask for little more and the Saxon Supporters love watching the team. Go Saxons!
Special mention to Taylor C who was playing in front of a home crowd when we were joined by family and friends from Bognor Regis. Taylor played superbly; tackling hard, securing and cleaning up loose ball, carrying and protecting the ball well (leaning into the defender when on the charge ;-))and offered a Pass of the Week to Will R out of the tackle. Well done Taylor, I am sure the Bognor Regis family are proud, we are!
Saxons finished 3rd from 5 teams, just behind Shoreham and the winners Edenbridge - change one of those results in the future and you are either Cup or Plate Winners!
Bognor provided a great festival of well organised rugby and the Saxons will aim to visit next year.
Album to follow courtesy of Peter Taylor once it has been through the moderator.