CRUFC Share the U14 EC Cup

Eastern County Finals - Sunday 1st April

North Walsham 7  Ipswich 31
Ipswich 5  Cambridge 7
North Walsham 22  Cambridge 21


The EC cup lived up to expectations and the tournament showcased a very high standard of U14s rugby, hosted at North Walsham.  The tournament finished with Ipswich and Cambridge on 5 points and North Walsham on 4 points and the spoils were shared between Ipswich and Cambridge.

Ipswich 5  Cambridge 7
The Ipswich side had rolled over North Walsham and the Cambridge boys were well aware they needed to start competitively and assert their own style if they were to be in with a chance.  It was a very competitive opening 15 minutes with ferocious tackling on a hard pitch and although the penalty count at breakdowns was in Ipswich's favour it was Cambridge who had more territorial possession.  Particularly effective were back line attacks off the scrum.  Cambridge wingers Jackson and Alex went close.  Two great opportunities went begging though when the ball was retained too long in the back line.  Robert also went close but in the last minute of the half an Ipswich counterattack scored ending the half 5:0. 

In the second half Cambridge adopted a steeper line and Harry kept tighter at fly half to negate the encroaching Ipswich players who were targeting Will at scrum half.   The ball moved better now and Tom, Alex and Jackson all came close to scoring.  Cambridge forwards gave a selfless display of effort and arguably had the edge in set pieces against a heavier and taller Ipswich pack. Ipswich kicking under pressure was superb and was instrumental in frustrating Cambridge efforts who were struggling to unlock Ipswich.  It was a persistent Jackson Dennis that made the breakthrough.  Great try, although the icing came from the conversion.  Harvey had waited patiently in the replacements, we knew no-one else in the county had the track record to have a fighting chance of converting from the touchline and this was his moment to come on.  The ball had great direction and although it dropped quickly, had more than enough pace to sail over, Cambridge had won their first game in the dying minutes.



North Walsham 22  Cambridge 21
Attitude is a big part of sport and Cambridge were taught a tough lesson by North Walsham.  In theory we had everything to play for, a win would secure the EC cup, in contrast North Walsham had only pride at stake, Cambridge were clear favourites.  Will Cross, Dan Scott and Jonathan started this game bringing some fresh legs. Even though Cambridge started slowly, they soaked up the pressure and launched an audacious counterattack, hopefully the last time Walsham backs will get sidestepped by a prop; Marcus and Harvey combined to draw players and then release with perfect timing to put Owain in for a try, converted by Harvey, 7:0 after 5 minutes.  It looked as though the EC cup would be taking the A11 home.  Unfortunately complacency set in like an epidemic through the Cambridge side.  Forwards backed off in intensity and our very talented back line all fancied their chances of scoring.  North Walsham scored twice and clearly believed they could now win.  The half ended 7 :10. 

The second half started well for Cambridge, Harvey put Jackson in and he repaid the favour by running it through to the posts to score his second try.  Harvey made the straightforward conversion 14:10.  Its a testament to the spirit of North Walsham that they kept their heads up and were always on the hunt for try scoring opportunities.  Cambridge kept them out for a time but conceded two penalties close to their try line and North Walsham drove over to score their third try.  We had lost Owain to a nasty looking knee injury, Rob had injured a finger and Tom was off with a shoulder injury.  As Cambridge looked to re-organise, the Walsham no 8 burst through after a low clearance that rolled on like a grubber kick and he just beat our fly half Harry to touch down, this was converted and the score was now 22:14.  With a minute on the clock Cambridge won a scrum 5 metres out on the stand side touchline and shipped the ball quickly out, Walsham had planned for Cambridge to pick and drive and for the first time were struggling to drift and cover.  Any one of three Cambridge players were in with a shout but on this occasion route one was the way to go and Tristan burst through the drift defence to score, converted by Harvey to finish the match 21:22

Bill Lankford