by Steve Johnson

CHINGFORD Under 12s travelled to Kingswood Acivity Centre, Norfolk to take part in a weekend of team building execrcises and then on Sunday the Holt RFC Festival.

With the team building and nightime activities leaving the boys exhausted, expectations were low as the squad once again drew the group of death in the festival.

Drawn to face the county champions of Notts, Links and Derby in the form of Kesteven RFC and Bedfordshire County Champions, Bedford Blues, a national Division 1 side.

However some unbelievable rugby saw the boys top the group and challenge Holt and Cheshunt for the top place.

The first game saw Chingford make a traditionally slow start and Kesteven soon went a score up. However the boys were quick to respond when following a penalty intelligently kicked to the corner, Ama Maduaka collected the lineout and flopped over the line for the equalising score.

It wasn’t long before Kesteven again took the lead, with a well worked try and Chingford ended the half one try down.

The second half was a superb example of rugby at this level from both sides. Tackling was immense and both sides attempted to play running rugby.

But with time running out and Kesteven camped on the Chingford line, the writing was on the wall. However Ama Maduako again managed to steal the ball from a maul and proceeded to run the length of the pitch, bouncing of despairing tacklers for the equalising score. Final score 14-14

Chingford went straight into the second match against Bedford Blues. Again Bedford took an early lead, but with spirits high, the team responded magnificently and on the stroke of half time a charge down on the Bedford line by Adam Johnson saw him beat the Bedford defender to the ball and score the equalising try, converted by Jamie George.

The second half was one way traffic. Bedford, clearly frustrated at not being able to break down the Chingford side, lost their composure, and Chingford took full advantage.

However it it took a magnificent try to break the deadlock as Jamie George sold an outrageous double dummy scissors in his own half to make a break to within site of the line.

He was ultimately tackled but instinctively popped the ball inside to Adam Johnson, powering up in support, to collect and run in the vital try.

The final score came from Ama Maduako following another fine team effort and saw a deserved 21-7 victory to Chingford.

Credit in this game to Evan McElvey at full back who put in a fine performance.

In the play off’s for overall winners, Chingford first faced host side Holt, who had clearly not had two sleepless nights leading up to the festival.

Fielding a side of relative giants it looked a tough ask for Chingford but the boys held their own and perhaps should have won, but ultimately a 0-0 draw was the result as the game remained tryless.

The final game saw Chingford needing to beat Cheshunt by four scores to lift the cup and pip Holt. An early score from Aaron Coffey gave the boys hope, but as they bagan to chase the elusive tries, and tire from the weekends exertions, it was clear that second place overall was going to be the best result they could hope for.

When the final whistle blew, the score was 7-0 and initial disappointment at coming second was soon replaced by smiles and laughter as the boys realised the magnitude of their achievements.

A fantastic weekend topped off by beating two respective county champions, remaining unbeaten on the day and playing some thrilling rugby. Twenty exhausted but happy boys made their way back to Chingford with some equally exhausted and hungover parents, to collapse in their beds and recall a fantastic weekend for all.