Westcombe Park U11s, the Hurricanes, travelled to Sidcup for their first festival of 2012. We were in pool B against Tunbridge Wells, Old Alleynians, and Beckenham on a cold, wet, and windy Sunday – traditional rugby weather and character building for the boys.

Our first match was against Tunbridge Wells, who are always a strong side. As usual we started slowly and at half time were 2-0 down due to an intercepted pass and a well executed dummy by TW. The second half demonstrated how evenly matched things were and neither side was able to score.
Final score: Westcombe Park v Tunbridge Wells – 0-2

The second match saw us playing against Old Alleynians. This time the Hurricanes really stepped up a gear and we saw some excellent rucking and mauling from our lads. Paddy Dudley and Louis Hoad, were both tremendous at wrestling the ball off the opposition and Paddy was our try-scorer in the first half. In the second half it was the turn of the backs to get on the score sheet and we had two scores, one from Tom Lewis and one from Nick Branch.
Final score: Westcombe Park v Old Alleynians – 3-0

Our final group match was against Beckenham. Their front row were giants compared to our lads and so we deliberately went low in the scrum with a front row that must have averaged a foot shorter per player. This worked to our advantage and we were winning the scrums and even won the line outs. First to score was our winger Duncan Hunt, who was also playing his first festival for the Hurricanes. Beckenham equalised and there was all to play for. As we went into the final play of the match it was a Westcombe Park line out 5 metres from the try line. Our man at the back James Barlow caught the ball and fought his way to the try line to score giving victory to the Hurricanes.
Final score: Westcombe Park v Beckenham – 2-1

Once all the scores were added up the Hurricanes came second in the group and were due to face the hosts, Sidcup, in the Plate final. By this time the rain was torrential and the temperature felt as though it had dropped several degrees. The Sidcup side was a very solid and physical team and they defended well as the Hurricanes put them under pressure. For most of the match we were playing deep in their half and finally Sidcup buckled under the relentless pressure we put on them with Owen Humphreys breaking Sidcup’s defence and scoring the one and only try of the match. When the final whistle was blown there was a huge cheer from players and supporters as we had won the Plate. Hurrah!
Final score: Westcombe Park v Sidcup – 1-0

Although I have mentioned the try scorers the whole squad deserves the credit. Our forwards and scrum halves James Ansell, James Barlow, Louis Hoad, Owen Humphreys, Patrick Dudley, Sam Jolly, Joseph Lambourne and Jed Wylie took a few injuries but made countless tackles and never gave up. The backs contributed equally well and full credit to Nicholas Branch, Duncan Hunt, Thomas Lewis, Ross Pow, Ben Saward, George Taylor, and Ryan Thompson for their hard work and dedication. Full back Ben Saward deserves a special mention for his Johnny Wilkinson-like kicking abilities.

Well done the Hurricanes!