Rhinos and Rams Rampage Camber

Bracknell Rams and Rhinos on tour

Over the early May bank holiday weekend Bracknell Under 14s travelled to Camber Sands in Sussex with two teams and high expectations. Following the Rhino's magnificent victory at the Burnham-on-Sea tournament last year, beating local rivals Maidenhead in the final, confidence was high that another prestigious trophy was well within our sights. With just thirty players, including
a popular guest from a local (rival!) team joining us for Saturday's matches and an under-13s sibling (popular with all except his brother!), it was going to be a tough task to keep two sides going over a weekend of intense tournament rugby but somehow the guys managed it.

The Rams put up a tremendous performance to finish eighth from ten teams including a really hard-fought match against the Rhinos, losing by just three tries to nil. Considering some of the boys had not played together before and with injuries hampering their efforts this was a very creditable achievement against some good (and very large!) teams.

The Rhinos, having defeated the Rams in the opener went on to dominate the tournament scoring 23 tries and conceding just one against runners-up Old Colfeians. With the competition taking place in a league format the Rhinos finished well clear with nine straight victories to set up a final with second placed Old Colfs. Unfortunately the monsoon conditions had dampened the resolve of all but the Bracknell boys who seemed to thrive in the deluge, their rugby improving with each match. The Surrey outfit, perhaps wisely, chose to concede the deciding match, graciously congratulating our boys that they had been by far the best team in the tournament.

On Sunday evening the Rhinos received their impressive trophy from former Bath and England hooker Graham Dawe to rapturous applause, capping what had been a fantastic weekend in perfect style. Both teams conducted themselves impeccably throughout the tour and it was especially pleasing to receive praise from the other teams on both the quality of our rugby and the behaviour of the players. Well done to all the guys!

Rhinos squad: Alex White, Greg Simmonds, Ollie Smith, Jake Hodge, Ben Viney, Jack Ridout, Nat Miles, Declan Ellis, Greg Brown c, Josh Blosse, Lawrence Grazier, Simon Owtram, Kieran O'Leary, Jack Bull, Liam Grealis.

Rams Squad: Joe Tichband, Josh Hulbert, Henry Mettle, Charlie Van Oeffeen, Aaron Carter, Harvey Marshall, Tom Butler, Kieran Smith, Archie Luckhurst, Jack Collett c, George Gibson, Caleb Ellis, Will Johnson, Joe Price, Alex Ferguson.