Hants 2011 hopes dashed by Trojans
By Site Admin
It was Vectis U10 rugby’s chance to flex their muscles against teams from across Hampshire at the county tournament on Sunday the 13th of March – and 5 of those teams went away knowing they had more than met their match.
With a full set of wins so far this season the Vectis U10s were in a confident mood to try and regain the trophy won two years earlier and the first game against Ellingham & Ringwood proved to be a tough but satisfying starter to the day with a 2 – 0 win for the Islanders.
Having watched Fordingbridge over the interval the Vectis U10s felt this was going to be another tough game to get through but once again the lads proved superior in every department turning play to their advantage most of the way through the game and winning 5 – 0.
Next on the block were the Fareham Heathens, already having been identified as weaker side in their group, Vectis took no time in delivering a 6 – 0 victory over them which just left Petersfield as the last team for them to eliminate to get through to the cup quarter final. Without a doubt they were the toughest team so far and it proved to be one of the best matches of the season leaving most of the spectators hoarse with encouragement. With Vectis 1 - 0 down in the second half it needed some inspiration, skill and speed which came in the shape of Luke Margham giving Vectis a 1-all draw to set both teams on their journeys to the quarter finals for the cup.
A well-earned break saw the sun come out to cheer the teams on a beautiful spring afternoon at the Trojans club. For the quarter final Alton, a familiar opponent, came up against Vectis, who delivered what was becoming characteristic devotion and skill. The turning point came with an interception from Matthew Spencer Brading which nailed the opposition’s spirits and gave Vectis a 3- 1 victory.
The semi-final proved to be the U10’s bitter disappointment. Trojans, who seem to make a habit of spoiling The Vectis team’s journey to the silverware, were at it again with a very strong team delivering a 3 – 1 defeat.
With only 4 tries against them over the whole tournament – a credit to their defensive strategy - the team’s performance in all the games was not only entertaining but one that the whole team (including the coaches) will be proud of.
The team was – (back row of image left to right) Alfie Foster, Jack Daley, Ed Bailey, Luke Margham, Ethan French, Max Hill, Rob Newton,
(Front row left to right) Matthew Spencer-Brading, Max Mason, Solomon Wood, Louis Malkin and Dominic Marsh
(Coaches – Left to right) Nigel Malkin, Ian Margham and Mark Bailey
