IT’S SHORT BUT SWEET FOR THE U10S…BUT THERE’S MORE TO COME

The U10s signed off their shortened season in style against visiting Finchley at Donkey Lane last Sunday (May 16), as they again confirmed the positive signs which had been so evident in the clashes with Eton Manor and Cheshunt, writes David Russell.

Incidentally, the coaches from both clubs still turn out for the Enfield Pulsars Vets side. So we had anticipated rugby of a high standard, and in that sense we weren’t to be disappointed.

The rain-softened pitches, for one, proved meat and drink to the tackling machines that were Mattie Yates, Archie Thomas and Ollie Harnett, and they were a constant thorn in the side of the opposition.

Coach Leighton [Thomas] was clearly suitably impressed and he said: “Did you see that phase when Mattie turned into the terminator and made three tackles in a row, with the final one leading to a knock on – now that’s how you contest possession!”

Needless to say when you win possession you need to score points, and the winged boots of the likes of Callum Bulley, Adam Kail, William Lawyer and Caiden Georgiou all took flight during the games with some mazy running angles and great scores.

We also came to appreciate the juggernaut effect and the direct running of the likes of Romeo Dino, Mollie Doran, Joshua Engelbrecht and Jack Galea, and consequently the tries, mirroring the elements, ‘rained’ in.

Still, all credit to the opposition as they, too, played their socks off, having put in an awesome final shift of the season, much to the delight of their huge travelling parental support.

Both set of teams were very well mannered and theirs was a near perfect display of the core values which underpin the game, and so the U10 coaches could not have been prouder of their teams.

A fun day and awards ceremony is in the offing on Sunday (May 23) which marks a temporary farewell to the hallowed Donkey Lane turf until next season, when the coaches will be looking to build upon the development of this very special bunch of young athletes.

Enfield Teams:

Archie Thomas, Caiden Georgiou, Josh Roper, Romeo Dino, Mollie Doran, Joshua Russell, Callum Bulley, Will

Ollie Harnett, Matthew Yates, George Lynch, Joshua Engelbrecht, Jack Jenkins, Conor Stenson, Oliver Champion

Adam Kail, William Lawlor, Joe Garman, Jack Galea, Ben Dawson, Harry Antoniou, Leo Schaffer