Tring U8 Lions travelled to Allianz Park for the Champions Cup Finals day where we played our group matches on the Saracens ‘turf’ in the morning in an effort to win the group – the only way to progress to the semi-finals.

The team representing Tring was as follows:

Tom Aston,
Fionn Clare,
Edward Horsley,
Thomas Lowe,
Henry Masters,
Ferdy Middleton,
Charlie Nutley
Zak Simpson.

This was the same team who had qualified for this stage at the Twickenham event back in November, with the exception of Thomas Lambert, who following the family emigrating to Exeter was unable to play, but was very much part of the winning team.

On a cold, grey morning Tring Lions had first to negotiate four tricky group games, on an unfamiliar – and much smaller than usual – Saracens pitch. The team started well, but took the first half of the first two games to really find their rhythm, Indeed the second half of the game versus Wendens Ambo Crusaders was probably the turning point of the tournament. Having been 2-3 down at halftime the team rallied and came back to win the half 4-1 and the match 6-4.

The third match saw three seven-tag turnovers in the second half, Tring Lions using the smaller pitches to their advantage and were able to press effectively and push opposition teams back into their own halves and into mistakes resulting in turnovers. Edward Horsley and Ferdy Middleton were on fire with their tagging – pushing up early to create the pressure on our opposition.

A final group game win versus Sevenoaks put Tring Lions into the Semi final against the home team – Saracens Wolfpack!

We knew that a fellow group winner would provide stiff opposition and so it proved. It was a well-disciplined performance from both sides, the scores level 3-3 at halftime. Henry Masters was playing well, running straight and passing to players in space. As ever he was very well supported by Charlie Nutley, being disciplined and staying in his channel on the wing, often profiting by crossing the try-line or providing an invaluable scoring pass.

Then, the moment came, at 5-5 in the dying moments of the game. From a restart the ball was passed to the wing, finding Zak Simpson, who had run straight lines all day and staying in touch by the narrowest of margins made good ground before passing to Thomas Lowe who pulled out a trademark dive for the line and whilst at full stretch, just managed to get the ball on to the whitewash. The ensuing cheers from the massed Tring support in the stands – and Thomas leaping into Jules arms – is an image that will live with me for many years!

So to the final, played at halftime in the Saracens vs Northampton game and against Rosslyn Park. The opposition were very well drilled and a disciplined team, but Tring Lions kept their heads despite having to play the entire game into the sun on another unfamiliar pitch. As they had done all day they ran straight (most of the time) and stayed in their channels, knowing that there was always another Tring shirt on their shoulder in the event of a tag.

Tom Aston and Fionn Clare were passing well from their three-quarter positions, this despite Fionn feeling a little under the weather towards the end of the day, and the distraction of Jasper Masters cutting some shapes on the side lines to the accompanying Queen soundtrack.

The tight game finished in a 7-7 draw, however on count back for try-scoring difference, Tring lions were announced the winners.

Tom Aston who was also celebrating his eighth birthday held the trophy aloft as the rest of the Tring Lions celebrated alongside their U7 counterparts who had mirrored our success by winning their tournament as well.

RESULTS:

Group Games;
vs Westcliff W 8-5 (3-3 at HT)
vs Wendens Ambo Crusaders W 6-4 (2-3 at HT)
vs Old Grammarian Sharks W 5-2 (3-2 at HT)
vs Sevenoaks W 6-2 (3-0 at HT)

Semi Final;
vs Saracens Wolfpack W 6-5 (HT 3-3)

Final;
vs Rosslyn Park W 7-7 (on count back, no half time!)