On what turned out to be a cold and wet day, we wondered whether the boys would continue to show the improvements they have demonstrated over recent months in the Essex Rugby Festival.

In the first match we were drawn against Rochford, and the boys showed whole hearted commitment and awareness and were dominant throughout the match, showing both commitment in tackle and attack.
Michael Dunleavy made a number of sniping runs, and two first half tries from Thomas Howard helped to set the platform for the match.
In the second half the team were rewarded with two equally good tries from Albert Smith (could have had three, but was held up over the line!!!!!), to record a 4-0 victory.

The team were looking to push on from this strong performance, but unfortunately were over confident in the next game against Wansted, and they squandered a number of opportunities, and one missed tackle left them on the wrong side of a 1-0 defeat.

The game against local rivals Westcliffe could prove crucial in the attempt to reach a semi final and after an evenly fought out first few minutes, Brentwood were on the attack and after a good ruck and clear out from messrs Carr and Robertson, Tom Brown snuffled the ball out of the ruck to pass to Albert Smith in an open position.
Whether incredible speed, or perhaps being a yard or two offside, a Westcliffe player intercepted the pass and ran the length of the field to score.

The boys heads dropped and before the break a further two tries were scored.
After the break Brentwood rallied and were not rewarded with a few passages of good play.
The boys however, carried on as they did against Wansted, taking the ball into contact too much, rather than use their skill and take the ball wider to the open spaces.
A second defeat on the trot meant that Brentwood had to beat a robust Romford side to progress to the semi finals.

The game started well and Brentwood began to play with more width, and were back on their tackling game.
After a couple of good passages of play, Thomas Howard went on one of his elusive runs to post the first score.
Romford came back at Brentwood, but good first up tackling stopped them in their tracks and following some good interplay, Jesse Robertson went over for a good try.
In the second half Romford threw everything they could at Brentwood and were rewarded with a well worked team try.
The next few minutes would decide whether Brentwood were going home early, or would progress to the semis.
The boys lifted themselves and continued with numerous passages of play which culminated in another try for Thomas Howard.
The whistle blew and the boys recorded a deserved 3-1 victory.

We were to meet Chingford in the semi final, who had also recorded some good results in their respective group.
The weather was staring to close in and the rain was getting heavier and colder.
Brentwood started the stronger team and started to create opportunities.
Ed Shouksmith found the space and rounded the Chingford defence to open the scoring for Brentwood.
Minutes later, Jake Barratt, managed to weedle his way through the smallest of gaps and powered over for a second score.
In the second half, Chingford came back strongly, and recorded a score in the opening minutes.
Brentwood held out for a 2-1 victory and a place in the final.

After a 30 minute wait in the cold and wet, Brentwood were to take on Maldon in the final.
The rain was lashing down and the temperature had dropped, and it was reminiscent of the rugby clashes of old.

The shirts were muddy, the ball was like a bar of soap and the pitch was deteriorating by the minute.

Both teams started well, and following some good passages of play it looked like Brentwood had scored through Thomas Howard, but he was adjudged to have dropped the ball in tackle as he went over the line.

Some bullocking runs from Henry Barnes and Daniel Webber helped push the team forward and some good interplay gave Ed Shouksmith the opportunity to move into space and beat the defence to the line, 1-0.

In the second half the game continued in the same vein, and great all round tackling and two in particular by George Barratt and Archie Inwood helped stem the tide.

Brentwood mounted one last attack in the last minute and a herculean last drive from Ed Shouksmith delivered a try.

The final whistle blew and the boys were ecstatic.

The boys acquitted themselves very well throughout the day, and not just when playing.
The festivals can be long and especially when the weather isn’t kind, can be equally taxing on the mind and body.

A very good display all round, and this now gives us more to work on to push forward for the remainder of the season.

Many thanks to all the parents for their great support throughout what was to be a very enjoyable experience.

Squad

Henry Barnes
George Barratt
Jake Barratt
Tom Brown
Ellis Carr
Michael Dunleavy
Thomas Howard
Archie Inwood
Jesse Robertson
Ed Shouksmith
Albert Smith
Daniel Webber