BERFC 28 - 12 Fullerians A

Herts U16s County Plate Final

With a second successive promotion already banked – what better to round off another fantastic season than with a cup final. By this time last year kit and boots had already lain unloved and festering for several weeks under a bed somewhere after a final outing – but the interest of the cup had kept kit, boys and enthusiasm freshish.

Our opponents, Fullerians A team, had won the very same trophy at U15s, so were old hands. We’d already faced them at U16s earlier in the season in a friendly at The Allianz – where a big strong Fullers outfit had run in four unanswered tries in the first half. Despite BERFC missing a number of boys on that day due to half term commitments, the overriding feeling was our boys hadn’t been able to match the physicality and tempo that Fullers had brought and hadn’t done themselves justice. 10 weeks down the road – a second chance.

With our captain the only absentee, unable to shake off a bad back injury, the rest were present and correct for selection.

To a man, from the off, the BERFC boys once again showed that extra level of intensity that has become a hallmark of our league campaign over the last two seasons – halting the Fullers big ball carriers on the gain line, turning over possession and bringing their own physicality to the game.

With just eight minutes on the clock, the BERFC boys opened the scoring. With the forwards making good inroads into the Fullers 22 – a long clearance down the pitch was fielded by Frazer well inside his own half and returned with interest. A scything run took him through the onrushing Fullers defence, and as he cut back inside Kadeem was on hand to continue the attack before offloading to Theo who planted the ball firmly under the posts – for Tom to add the conversion 7 – 0 .

Five minutes later BERFC were on the scoreboard again. A training ground move from a penalty and Fullers were penalised for straying offside in front of the posts. Tom kept the points clicking over with a penalty – 10 – 0 .

Fullers continued to roll the ball through their forwards – with their main threat who we‘d previously encountered in their back division popping up this time at number 7. Fullers began to get a foothold in the game and visited the BERFC 22 on a number of occasions, but just fell short, with a last gasp tackle or knock on denying them points – until the ball was spun out wide for them to stretch out and touch down just over the line and narrow the scores with twenty minutes on the clock 10 – 5.

Fullers tails were now up and they attacked with renewed energy, with the BERFC defence shuddering, but holding firm. The big Fullers number 7 had already peeled off around the front of a lineout once, and when he tried to repeat the trick, Sam and Louis W shut the door firmly in his face. When Fullers did put the ball down the back line Harrison and Luke wrapped up their opposite number every time, with Miles and Louis H showing equal defensive skills.

With Andreas and Lawrence added to the fray, the latter immediately made an impact turning over breakdown ball twice in quick succession – obviously having found another use, and location, for his hands.

With Fullers continuing to press, and the game in the balance, they were hit by a sucker punch. A BERFC clearance kick found touch on the half way line and an overthrow from the Fullers lineout was snapped up at the back by Andreas who set off on one of his mazy runs before offloading to the onrushing Kadeem who outpaced the chasing Fullers back line to touch down for Tom to once more do the honours and take BERFC into a half time lead 17 – 5.

The first ten minutes of the second half were again keenly contested – the difference being Tom slotting two from two when Fullers offended, to open the gap to 23 – 5.

A charging run from Sam was finally halted by the Fullers second row – who unfortunately sustained a nasty cut to his eyelid – and a stoppage ensued while he was bandaged up, keen to return to the fray.

Fullers weren’t ready to roll over and a good chase from a long kick saw them touch down for their second try to close the gap with ten minutes remaining 23 - 12.

With each BERFC sub rolled on as determined as the team mate he’d replaced to close out the game, and with the minutes ticking away, it looked like the difference between the teams was going to be down to old golden boot - until up popped the golden feet of Frazer ably assisted by his compatriots in the BERFC back division with a move straight out of the Greg Hall Play Book – 2013/14 to send the gathered BERFC masses into raptures.

Only inches separated Tom's final touchline kick from 6 out 6 as he ref blew for full time 28 – 12 – and the Herts U16s County Plate 2013/14 season was on its way to North London.

Credit to Fullerians for their part in great match, with no quarter given on either side. For the BERFC boys, promotion was the big prize, but this was a fantastic way to end the season.

And so to the presentation – with Cap’n Liam dragging his nagging lumber up the steps and accepting the trophy on behalf of the squad. Great to see some of those boys who’d figured in the earlier rounds but hadn’t made the final 22 pick up well deserved medals of their own.

As well as a number of guys who can pull something out of the hat, the squad is packed full of grafters – boys who’ll willingly tackle and never shirk a challenge. Those guys may not get the headlines but are well respected by their team mates - and coaches.

There’s only so many times you can go to the well, and it wouldn’t be fair to expect the boys to raise their game for every match – but when league or cup matches come along the boys have stepped up the intensity every single time. Coaches can only ask, it’s the boys who have to deliver, and they have done not as 15, not as a 22 – but as a complete squad.

Well done boys – we’ll have a fizzy pop or two at The Annual Dinner.

COME ON THE GOOD GUYS!!!!