Rugby
T-Birds 34 v 0 Saracens
While not quite the performance that the T-Birds wanted, the score was definitely OK. Putting 34 points on last year’s Second place team in the first game of the season was not to be sniffed at.
A couple of hundred people turned out at Oakfield to enjoy the Autumn sun and some running rugby.
The lack of pre-season games was evident in the stuttering performance with at least 5 trys going begging to silly mistakes as unfamiliar faces bedded into the team.
Trying to re-organise a team when the 4 England 7s stars were withdrawn just 5 weeks before the Season started has not been an easy task, but strong performances from Tuson, Tyler and Rettie in particular were bright sparks of hope for things to come.
Adversity always brings out the best in the T-Birds and being a Penalty Try down and with a player in the bin after only 9 minutes set them off and running.
2 sparkling back line trys from Tyler and Tuson in the next 3 minutes set the tone for the rest of the game and as the T-Birds pack slowly got on top of a defiant Saracens second string, Captain Foy claimed a score and Tuson her second, bringing half time at 24-7 with the game effectively over.
2 minutes into the second half Tyler claimed her second and the 5 try bonus point to put the game beyond any doubt.
The last 30 minutes were frustrating to watch. Saracens competed fiercely at the breakdown and definitely got the better of the Referee as the T-Birds were constantly pinged back.
Injuries and substitutions broke the flow and lack of match fitness started to show.
One final flourish put new T-Bird Stopard-Baker over the line and brought the final score to 34-7.
Team:, Tuson (2T), Harris, Tyler (2T), Harvey, Franklin, Rettie, Cook, Nichols, Foy (T), Mountjoy, Jordan. F, French, Jordan S, Dyche, Phelps . Rep: , Wheeler, Baker, Hepper, Beard, Stopard-Baker (T).
Sunday 13th September the T-Birds continue their Season at Home to Wasps. 2.45 KO.
As always, Thurrock Ladies, the T-Birds welcome new players of any standard to their 2 teams. No matter how big or small, there is a place for you in a Rugby Team.
The 2nd XV is growing weekly and now has its own dedicated Coaching and Management team. Many are beginners, playing in their first Season, so don’t be put off if you are new to the game.
We can promise you great training and a great social life. Just turn up on a Wednesday evening at 7.30.
