Today, the U14s returned to cup action, picking up right where we left off before Christmas. Despite not having played since December 10th, any concerns about rustiness were quickly dispelled with an early try, the result of a well-executed set of phases from our backs. From that point on, the team was in complete control, dominating the breakdown and keeping the opposition on the back foot. Without some unforced errors, the score could have been even higher by halftime.

After a season plagued by injuries, today marked the first match with a fully fit squad, and it was fantastic to see all 23 players performing with confidence and physicality, thoroughly dominating one of the county’s strongest teams.

The forwards were exceptional, battling hard against a tough Saffron Walden breakdown and eventually wearing them down. This dominance provided our half-backs with a strong platform throughout the game, which they expertly used to create opportunities for our powerful runners. We’ve worked hard in training to run straight and hard, drawing defenders and creating overlaps—and today, the players’ efforts were clearly evident.

What particularly impressed the coaches was the way the entire team linked up and worked together throughout the match. At halftime, we made 8 substitutions, and the transition was seamless. That’s two wins from two in the cup so far, with a significant points difference already achieved. Our next cup game is against Newmarket, with the winner advancing to the final.