U13s EC Festival

Exciting times at Crusaders Rugby as our brand new u13s side took to the field in the Eastern Counties festival yesterday for 4 matches.

Our first game against Swaffham was always going to be tough, a step into the unknown for everyone, positions had to be filled on field-understanding had to be made, and friendships and team mates discovered. That being said what we didnt have to find was energy and effort, we had plenty of that as the boys chased the game hard, we conceded four tries but we were unlucky not to get over the line on a couple of occasions, never the less we were building.

The second game against Norfolk Baa-Baas, a team similar to us in the fact they were a team hurridly put together. This was a great game with both teams putting in the tackles across the pitch but Crusaders were starting to dominate as the game grew. Liam was buzzing around at scrum-half and he fed Joe whos huge kick penned the Baa-baas in their own half, As they tried to break Ross stole the ball but to be halted just a few metres from the line...que the cavalry and the second push forced him over the line and we had our first try - wow! Huge tackles in the mid-field by Callum and Chalrie were giving us increased possession and when Dylan who was in everything all day popped up with the ball beating a player for an easy touch down we were in heaven. Incredibly there was still time for one more score as Alex "The man mountain" forced his way over driving from distance but hes unstoppable with a scent of the try-line. The whistle blew and we could hardly believe it and the players came off to rapturous applause by their growing support.

Next up were Wymondham. This was an arm wrestle against a good team. Wymondham were able to field two sides and despite this being their development squad the rugby was competitive and very enjoyable. We sneaked a try half way through the game, another bullocking run by Alex carved a hole all the way to the try-line. Wymondham came back at us hard but monsterous tackles by Charlie and a number of show-stoppers by Phiilip held the Wymondham pack at bay. Wymondham kept coming and a particularly dangerous drive down the wing was only halted by a good tackle by George, as more players joined the maul suddenly George emerged with ball in hand and ran half the pitch unopposed to secure the victory. An incredible effort by the team.

Last up was Diss and it was clear from the outset that they were one of the stronger teams in the competition. The game had barely been started and Diss powered down the left for a score in the corner and we realised this would be tough.This fledgling Crusaders team however has reserves, not only in energy but in determination and spirit, Lead up front by Harry's unstoppable workrate, and in defence by Ross's organisation the Crus' boys started to edge their way into the game, making turnovers in the ruck, forcing errors and making yards with possession. It took a little bit of magic to change this game properly and it came twice from George in almost identical circumstances as before, making the tackle, ripping the ball from the opposition and then using his incredible pace to beat the covering defence to put his team in the lead. With just seconds left Diss mounted one last chance to save the game and they did just that with a fine score of their own going almost the length of the pitch but this was a deserved score and a fitting end to a brilliant game. Sharing the spoils two a-piece was a fair result and both teams were equally happy.

From a Crusaders point of view this was above and beyond anyone's expectations, it was a hard graft through the day, the learning curve was steep as we knew it would be but add to this some atrocious weather conditions, to be able to play such incredible Rugby was remarkable. All players, coaches, parents and everyone associated with this team are incredibly proud of the achievement of the whole team yesterday. To a man they were unbelievable and there are not enough superlatives to emphasis this.

Training on Thursday. 6.30-7.30pm and then Sunday 10.30am - 12pm. New players in year 8 always welcome. Come and join this brilliant team - we have a match in two weeks against Bury St Edmunds at home - most definitely the most fun you will ever have on a wet Sunday in November.