What was typically a notorious early season wake up call, playing the very best South Essex has to offer, CRFC U11s proved they have come a long way over the past few years to triumph as overall Cup winners in the U11 age group at the Southend Elite Rugby Festival this Sunday with a 100% winning record.

With the likes of Southend, Braintree, Westcliff, Dartfordians, Upminster, Rochford all bringing their best, everyone knew the scale of the challenge. Previous tough days at this very same festival also weighed heavy but today would prove different.

In previous seasons CRFC determination to field mixed ability teams through the season often impacted a true A fixture such as this. That strategy, enforced so ably by Graham Patten and his troop of coaches now showed its worth as we saw 13 children thrown together but able to gel immediately even before the first match began.

The pool matches were tough on paper, but from the off CRFC were on the front foot. All 3 matches were won without our try line ever really being threatened, and with all the kids contributing, without exception. The CRFC tries were spread right through the group and the collective effort in defense was to be admired. The positive and respectful attitude of the children was there for all to see off the pitch and in their response to some strict but very fair and consistent refereeing (Southend’s young players who did referee on the day should be commended for their great work).

The final would be a tougher encounter and after going 1 up, pressure from Westcliff did mount. Eventually, from a quickly taken tap penalty, CRFC finally conceded. There had been some controversy over some decisions, which again the referee did well in handling, but a sense of injustice just proved an additional spur as CRFC went on to finish off Westcliff 2-1, and a well deserved victory it was too.

Tony Loizides, CRFC Team Manager commented “it was a complete squad performance. Every single player out there did their bit and gave their best. Coaches and parents too, contributed to the day. Graham Patten our Head Coach set the tone before first kick off, kept them all focused throughout the day and we deservedly won through, playing the right way and with smiles on the kid’s faces from the minute they arrived until the end of the day when they collected their winners medals.”

The CRFC stars on the day were:-

Ben Austin
Jakub Bohaty
Joshua Calvert
Toby Clinch
Joshua Connelly
Thomas Davies
Aiden Frensham
Oscar Lansbury-Dunn
Joseph Loizides
James Newland
Max Patten
Gus Pattinson
Napoleon Tagivakatini