Romsey Wasps under 11’s win

the Hampshire County Championship

March 2009

Romsey Wasps Under 11’s rugby team travelled to Eastleigh on Sunday and played some sublime rugby to win the Hampshire County Championship for the second time in four years.

The Romsey team were utterly ruthless in their quest for the title, scoring 23 tries in the competition without conceding any, as some very good teams were brushed aside.

With 20 sides from around Hampshire taking part, Romsey started their campaign with 2 pool games against Fawley. They quickly took control, with both games being won by 30-0, such was the Wasps superiority, that both of the games had to be stopped early.

This fine start set up a quarter final against Fordingbridge.   Romsey were quickly into their stride and raced to a 20-0 half time lead with tries from Sam White, Dom Saville, Josh Stace and Ed Connolly. With a comfortable lead, Romsey were able to rotate their squad in the second half and Luke Outhwaite added the only try to make the final score 25-0 to the Wasps, easing them into the semi final where they were to face Petersfield.

The semi final went the same way, as Romsey blitzed their opponents from the first whistle. Sam White scored two early tries and Josh Stace scorched down the touchline and ran the length of the pitch to score the third try to give Romsey  a 15-0 lead at half time.  After the break Sam White completed his hat–trick and Dom Saville finished off a good move to give Romsey victory by 25-0 and a place in the final.

The final would prove to be Romsey’s sternest test, as they lined up against a fired up Winchester team. Both sides fought hard to gain an early advantage and for the first time in the tournament Romsey’s usually reliable fast rucking game were being tested by their big opponents. As the half wore on Romsey slowly began to gain the upper hand and control in the scrums and breakdowns gave them a good platform from which their more incisive backs began to probe and test the Winchester defence.

The first half finished scoreless, but Romsey turned round with renewed vigour and quickly scored the opening try that would prove to be decisive. Dom Saville and Isaac Pockney drove the ball towards the Winchester line and when they were stopped, the ever reliable Sam White was up in support to charge over for the try. Romsey kept the pressure on Winchester for the rest of the half by keeping possession and pinning their opponents back in their own half. With time running out, Romsey managed one more big effort to push Winchester off their put-in at the scrum and Ed Connolly hoofed the ball into touch to end the game giving the Romsey Wasps a deserved 5-0 win.

Coach Andy Penn said ‘This was an outstanding performance from a very talented squad of boys. To go through The Hampshire County tournament playing 5 matches without conceding a single try whilst scoring 23 of their own is phenomenal. This is a very special team. In their first 5 years Wasp has won two Hampshire County titles, making them by far the most successful team in the history of Romsey Rugby Club’.

Credit must also go the dedication of the squad coaches and manager as well as the help and support from the boy’s parents.

Return to the News/ Blog pages

Romsey Wasps Under 11’s Squad:
Luke Outhwaite (capt ), Sam White, Theo Pritchard, Isaac Pockney, Kieran Brown, George Farmer, Jamie Kirkwood, Dom Saville, Ed Connolly, Morgan Penn, David Kelly, Josh Stace, Nathan Hunt, Michael O’Keefe, Will Morgan, Will Donovan, Toby Hill, Connal Bark.