Eastern Counties Rugby Union

Thanks to Richard Mallett for the report
Eastern Counties U16s (19) v Herts U16s (20)
Notwithstanding a determined team effort Eastern Counties were unable to overcome a well drilled Herts side on Sunday.
Eastern Counties started strongly with Joe Hegarty and JontyCraig prominent in the loose; a powerful 20m burst saw prop Rhys Charalambous crash through several tackles to then pass to Joe Hegarty to score in the corner and take the first points of the game.
Despite Eastern Counties dominance in the scrum and lineout Herts gradually got back into the game and replied with two unconverted tries.
Not to be outdone, a period of sustained pressure from Eastern Counties resulted in their second try after some quick ball down the back line handed Faisal Olabaye a chance to outpace the cover and score. The try was converted by Joe Milligan.
Half time: 12 - 10 to Eastern Counties
Although the lineout continued to be dominated by Eastern Counties with Sam Ridgwell in particular having a good game, the second half saw Herts increase the pressure and despite some excellent defence including a number of try saving tackles from Eastern Counties’ full back Will Brown, Herts scored two further unconverted tries.
Eastern Counties however remained positive and began to look dangerous once again and in the last minutes of the game Callum Hampstead jinked through the Herts defence to score a well-deserved try, Joe Milligan again concerted.
Final score: 19 - 20 to Herts
This was a close, hard fought game that could have gone either way. All Eastern Counties players can take great pride in their performance which will only improve as they continue to develop as a team.