Bognor’s first game was against Gosport & Fareham and both teams were clearly nervous, eager to open the festival with a win.
Bognor focussed on their running game and
whilst a little lapse in their tagging secured a 6 – 5 victory in a real end
to end nail biter, with tries from Walker, Norrell and Hayes, sending out
the message that given the space, Bognor were here to score tries.
Game 2 brought on a less prepared Chichester 2 team, which gave Bognor the
opportunity to run in a total of 7 tries to nil, with tries from Norrell,
Walker, Hayes, Olofson and Evans. With the tagging improving and maintaining
a clean sheet, the confidence was beginning to build.
Bognor went into Game 3 against Petersfield B expecting an easy ride, only
to be shocked and find themselves 1 – 3 down by the break.
Following the previous games wake up call, Bognor faced Hayward’s Heath in the final pool game. Hayward’s Heath had won all their previous games and both teams knew that the victor would secure a place in the final.
Unsurprisingly, with so much at stake, the first half was a very scrappy affair, with the referee stopping the game to talk with both teams.
Once again, the half time chat gave us all
a chance to refocus and Bognor came out with renewed determination running
out eventual 3 – 0 winners with tries from Norrell.
Bognor U7’s had reached the final where they faced a formidable Fareham
side.
Whilst they played to the final whistle,
Bognor were unable to match the better prepared side loosing ? to nil
(reporter’s perogative).
Today, Bognor have shown their true character, both on and off the pitch,
improving game on game, whilst respecting their opponents in both victory
and defeat.
As a parent and coach and on behalf of Leon and all the other parents, I want to congratulate each and every player on their efforts today on what turned out to be a real momentus and emotional roller coaster.