It was more than a shaky start. Going 5-2 down to Beccahamians in your opening game is never good. But Luke was brought crashing down mid-dash and Oli’s nose had come too close too fast with Ethan’s head. The medics thought it a good idea that they stick around.

But what should rank as the greatest turnaround since someone mentioned to Henry V that those guys with the long sticks might come in handy, Beckenham Under 9s dismissed every other team, as well as the medics, to come home with the winner’s cup.

Cillian, Jacob, Alex’s (HT and M) and Ethan all steadied the squad, exploiting the gaps in Old Elthamians to romp home with 7 tries to their 3.

It was the boost we needed. With Oli and Luke back in the line, it was end to end stuff with Westcombe Park. Tom and Harry made the yards and carried us forward, Zac dodged and twisted through, with Ethan and Cillian providing the stopping power. Tries from Jacob and Alex HT brought us level at 4-4 before Jos weaved through what had turned into a strong defensive line to score the winning try.

At this point, we became the team to beat. Tunbridge Wells presented a solid line, determined to stop Beckenham from playing such an open game, and we answered beautifully. Our defence was fierce forcing a total of five turnovers, and, with Tunbridge Wells trying to shut us down, our attack became a game of pushing and grinding. Ethan and Cillian again on the scoreboard but this was the whole team shoving TW back, sucking in the players and creating gaps. We came out 3-2 and top of the group.

We faced Medway in the final. They came out fast and fiery but Oli and Alannah held them back, and pressured the ball back to Beckenham twice. Amazing quick thinking and a booming tackle from Ethan stopped a Medway try that was already across the line. Again, outstanding team work held the line and pushed and probed the Medway opposition. With each of our team taking more and more Medway players to stop them (Luke being held back by three Medway rivals), our brave boys and girls never gave up. Alannah, Cillian and Alex HT took the ball over the line but it’s no overstatement to say that each one of our Medway tries were pushed over by the whole team. 3-2 again at the end, our team winding up the day with toil and their nights with sleep.

Simon Harrison

Beckenham Rugby Football Club

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