On Tuesday Clockhouse took two teams to the Borough Tag Rugby Festival.
Clockhouse Light Blues were placed in group 1 and opened the festival in style recording a 4 - 1 win over Benhurst, Mason A showed his class in attack and defence. Next up for Clockhouse was St. Peters who were brushed past 2 - 1. After this narrow win Clockhouse upped the pace of the game and showed their desire to qualify from the group beating Nelmes 6- -1. Our next opposition was Dame Tipping, Clockhouse Light Blues won again this time by 4 tries to 1. Next up for Clockhouse was Newtons who remained the only other undefeated team in the group. In a fast paced contest Newtons just edged it beating Clockhouse 4 - 3. After this stumble Clockhouse showed real pride and determination to sneak past a strong Scargill side by 4 tries to 3. Scotts were next up, and after a poor start and some nail biting moments Clockhouse came from behind to win 5 - 4 in the dying seconds of the contest. In preparation for the semi-final Clcokhouse Light Blues finished off their group games with an emphatic 5 - 1 win over Elm Park.
In the semi-final Clockhouse Light Blues met eventual winners Upminster Juniors. Clockhouse felt hard done by after some questionable tries but none the less battled until the end eventually loosing 4 - 2 but without a doubt represented the school with pride and passion and were unlucky not to take their place in the final.
Well done to the whole Clockhouse Light Blue Squad who all managed to score. Casey E (4 Tries), Amber Y (1 try), Verity A-G (8 Tries), Niamh S (1 Try), Bobby B (4 Tries), Mason A (8 Tries), Charlie T (4 Tries), George R (1 Try), Ella B (1 Try), and Bradley L (1 Try).
Clockhouse Dark Blues were in no mood to mess around in the group stages. Clockhouse opened proceedings against Brady and were ruthless from the outset, finding themselves three tries up in the opening minute, and going on to win 9 - 2. The Clockhouse Dark Blues decided not to take their foot off the gas against Dame Tipping in our next match winning 8 tries to 2 this time. The team were playing some fantastic rugby and showing some fantastic moves. Sadly, Clockhouse went into the third game against Elm Park a little over confident and were made to work hard to earn a 3 - 3 draw. This was the small wake up needed and from then on they played some rugby that was incredible to watch. The speed, power, decision making, and tagging were of the highest level and in the next contest Clockhouse put another 7 tries on the board against St. Peters finally winning 7 - 2. Hilldene then forfeited the next game ensuring Clockhouse won their group. The team led by Caitlin M, wanted to lay a marker for their quarter final and finished off their pool games with another big score line. This time beating Crownfield 7 - 1. This was by far the best results of any of the groups, and Clockhouse were awarded The Spirit of The Games award for their amazing teamwork in the group games.
As the knock out games began Clockhouse new that they were playing well in attack and defence but they were tested physically in defence against St. Patricks in the quarter final having to work hard and tag continually close to their own line but when opportunities arose they made no mistakes being ruthless in attack and winning the contest 4 - 2. The result of the quarter final meant Clockhouse met raining champions Upminster Juniors (who beat Clockhouse last year in the final in sudden death). Clockhouse knew they could score tries but to win this game they had to be clinical in defence as any missed tags and Upminster would surely score. The game was played at frantic pace from end to end with both teams playing like their lives depended on it. Lewis B-K opened the scoring with a break away try. Upminster then created space of their own for a well worked try to bring them level. But Lewis had not finished his scoring for the afternoon and with some amazing footwork and pace he found his way to the corner restoring the Clockhouse lead. As the game entered the last two minutes Upminster levelled the scores. But after her hard work in defence making numerous try saving tags Summer S won the game for Clockhouse. Callum D made a break and his offload left Summer with a lot to do to beat the covering defenders and score the winning try in the corner avenging last years heartbreak in the final. A great 3 -2 win for Clockhouse Dark Blues.
Clockhouse Dark Blues went into their second final in as many years and were facing Ardleigh Green. Clockhouse had played fantastically all day and one of the young officials said before the game 'Clockhouse deserve to win this they have played the best rugby in the whole competition.' The final started perfectly for Clockhouse with Callum L scoring within a minute to give Clockhouse the lead. Callum was not finished their grabbing himself another two tries to complete his hat-trick. Other tries from Daniel M and Caitlin M helped Clockhouse into the lead. With less than thirty seconds to play Ardleigh Green drew level and forced the game into extra time. After a nervous start to extra time for both teams Callum D went on a solo run to again give Clockhouse the lead but with just seven seconds left to play Ardleigh Green's tallanted scored to aging level the score. As the game entered sudden death for the second year running Clockhouse had the run of the play and worked closer and closer to the Ardleigh Green try line. Lewis B-K made a fantastic break for the corner but was tagged just short of the line and as he passed to Summer S it looked as though the game was won. However, despite some amazing tagging from the whole team an Ardleigh Green player dived to score and the golden try meaning Clockhouse Dark Blues finished as runners up in the same agonising way as last year, sadly loosing 7 - 6.
After the fnal there were a lot of emotional children, parents, and staff members just going to show how much passion and belief we all have for what we can achieve. Clockhouse Dark Blues rightly one The Spirit Of The Games Team Work award as they played some free flowing rugby from start to finish, entertaining anybody that had the privilege to watch them. Well done to Caitlin M (6 Tries), Lewis (8 Tries), Summer S (3 Tries), Callum L (7 Tries), Daniel M (7 Tries), Callum D ( 9 Tries), Daisie S (4 Tries), Gracie-May H (1 Try), Shannon I (2 Tries) and Victoria R (1 try).
Mr Yarrow would personally like to say to all the players that you have done him, the school, your parents, and yourselves proud. He has never seen a group of children so dedicated and driven for success. You wore your hearts on your sleeves and any other day you would of rightfully been champions!
Well done everyone and thank you to all those who cheered from the touch line!
