Leicester Tigers Challenge 2016 rugby festival at Bognor Regis is the next stop for the touring Celts. Celts have not been home for a while but are representing G&FRFC superbly.
Every team in the tournament had 3 matches to play on Day one except Celts who had 4. They must have heard about their performance at Bournemouth & Poole last weekend and tried to tire them out!
All systems go in match #1 v Edenbridge RFC! A tough match with some good runners on the opposition and our tackling was put to the test. Some sleepy defending let Edenbridge in to score 3 tries in reply to our openers - one of which was a great 3/4 length breakaway interception try for Henry Shaw. Great attacking running from Harry Martin making runs forward. Second half we sured things up a touch and Oliver Smith completed his hat-trick to seal the win 4-3. Super start!
A quick turnaround for our next game #2 v Bognor who were keen to put up a good show for their local fans. They found they were no match for a roaring Celt performance. Tries for "Sonny" William May, Oliver Smith (2), Harrison Bennett (2), Charlie Fisher, Owen Williams and Henry Moran. Best of the bunch was Will May finishing off an excellent team try to bring rapturous applause from the travelling fans! Celts defence was slowly getting better (great consecutive tackles from Owen Williams and Aidan Bones) but would need to be better to win the title. Speedy Henry Moran nearly scoring another in the far corner late on. Morgan Clayton showing some very determined defensive running. They finished off winners 8-4.
Match #3 was against Jack Weeks (c) old team. Jack didn't tell us quite how good they were! Some of the most technical attacking running we have ever come up against and Celts limped to a 3-2 half time deficit. Tries from Harrison Bennett keeping us in the game. Shoreham showed how to execute the perfect try saving tackles with a zippy defender taking out 3 "nailed on" Celts tries in the corner - Super rugby! Reinforcements came on at half time with Celts pulling it back to 4-4. A tough game with Shoreham certainly showing they are a great side.
Unbeaten going into game #4 the Celts were firing! Defensive work still needed and lots of fluids taken on in the short gaps between games. Game 4 was George Popplewell s game with some excellent running and consecutive tackling plus a try to top it off! Well done. Hertford Avengers had a couple of talented players both in attack and defense which really put some tired legs to test. An excellent "snipers" try from Aidan Bones reminiscent of Ben Youngs (hehe) from close range topped off the tries (too many to record!) Celts finished strongly with a 6-3 win.
So, with countless tries being scored but a leaky defense, were Celts in a good position at the end of day 1?
http://esfscorecentre.co.uk/myteam/4995/Gosport-Fareham-RFC/1
Pos | Team | Played | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
1 | Gosport & Fareham RFC | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 14 | 8 | 17 |
2 | Shoreham RFC | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 6 | 10 | 12 |
3 | Bognor RFC | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 12 | -1 | 10 |
4 | Hertford RFC Avengers | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 7 |
5 | Edenbridge RFC | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 7 |
6 | Hertford RFC Marvels | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 16 | -11 | 0 |
7 | Aylesford Bulls RFC | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 15 | -11 | 0 |
A huge day for Celts, representing G&FRFC tremendously both on and off the pitch. Celts have proved we have strength in depth and can compete against the best in the country!
Thanks as always to our sponsors Solent Fire Protection Services http://www.solentfire.co.uk/
Thanks to everyone and see you all tomorrow where Celts have 2 games left.
Monty