It was an early start but everyone made it to the Club for 8.30am. We arrived in Houghton le Spring in good time for registration at 9.30am. The lads got straight into pre match warm up routines while we went to find out the draw and see which pitch we would be on. There were eleven teams in the Under 14s tournament. These were divided into two groups, the teams being drawn from a hat. Group 1 was Darlington, Middlesbrough, Percy Park, Stockton, Whitley Bay Rockliffe and Malton & Norton. We were drawn in group 2 Mowden Park, Tynedale, Gosforth, Harrogate and Billingham. The top two teams in each group would go through for the Trophy and the rest would play for the Plate.

The games were to be played over two seven minute halves. With replacements only to be made at the break or for injury.

We made a good start in the first game against Tynedale, winning 12 to 0 with tries from James Watson and Daniel Sayers, one of which was converted by Peter Evans.

Solid defence kept them out but they rarely threatened.

Our second game was against Gosforth, they were a big side and had just beaten Mowden so we knew it would be a tough game. This ended in a 0 to 0 draw but we had a good try disallowed for being held up and Gosforth never really made it into our half.

We then played Mowden Park. We had beaten them twice this season so they would be out for revenge. We beat them again convincingly 12 to 0 with tries from Daniel Sayers and Mathew Stringer with one converted by James Charville.

Our final game in the group was against Harrogate. We had watched them and they were a good, well organised side. We scored first from a well struck James Charville penalty. In the second half they scored a converted try and we had a try held up. So we had a 3 to 7 defeat.

Unfortunately we had an injury, Phil McCarthy hurt his neck and had to go to Hospital in an ambulance to get checked out. Luckily they said it was whiplash and he was ok to return.

Due to other results in the group Gosforth beating Harrogate and everyone beating Mowden we finished third and went on to the Plate. This despite winning two, playing a draw and getting beat just once. We conceded just one try in four games, we were all disappointed. We were determined to go away with something this year after last year’s disappointment in the Trophy finals. We had to win the Plate.

The draw was made and we got Whitley Bay Rockliffe in the quarterfinal.

This was a physical game and in a tough first half Rob McCabe was brought down with a very high tackle. It looked bad and an ambulance was called. Because we couldn’t move Rob we continued the game on another pitch. We won 21 to 7 with tries from Daniel Sayers converted by Peter Evans, James Watson converted by Anth Hyndman and Danny (Tank) Watson converted by James Charville.

Rob lay on the pitch for an hour before the ambulance from Sunderland General arrived.

His parents left with him, and did not get back to Billingham till 10.00pm, when a phone call from his Dad confirmed he was ok. X-rays were taken of his neck and wrist and doctors gave him the all clear. He was more at risk in the A & E room of Sunderland General on a Sunday night than he was on a rugby pitch.

The semi-final was against archrivals Middlesbrough. The lads didn’t need much motivation from the coaches for this one. A place in the final at stake and we knew we had beaten them twice this season with one defeat. In a good contest we won 8 to 0 with a 30-meter penalty kick from James Charville who has nerves of steel under pressure, and an unconverted try from Anth Hyndman.

This was it, we were in the final. After a hard days work, six tough games, this was what we had come for, to win the club some silverware, bring the Plate back to Billingham and make the club proud of it’s under 14s team.

The pressure was on now, we had Percy Park in the Final. One of only three teams that beat us this season. A large squad with a good following of parents and coaches.

The under 16s who had been knocked out in extra time of their quarterfinal game came across to support us. The crowds gathered and the game was on.

This one was for Rob.

The game started fast and furious and Chris Dobson scoring picking the ball up from Captain James Watson who had been brought down just short of the try line. This was converted by James Charville. 7 to 0 at half time. The second half began and Percy Park scored which was not converted. 7 to 5 and four minutes to go, the coaches and parents and all the under 16s were going mad encouraging the lads on. A scrum on Parks 22 saw James Watson pick up and go, he charged through all opposition, no one was going to stop him on his way to the line. Placing the ball down to score then picking it up and punching it into the air just as Jason Robinson did in the other last great final. This was unconverted but surely should be enough to win if we could defend for two minutes. The whistle went, we had won. 12 points to 5. The players went wild the coaches and parents went wild. The under 16s ran on the pitch and gave the lads a good soaking with water. Scenes of jubilation we’ve never had before.

Commiserations to Percy Park who had played a good game but met a better team. They were gutted.

Congratulations to all the squad and coaches. Everyone played their part, some may have only made short appearances but all contributed through the day to this great win.

This was a great team effort led by an inspirational performance from Captain James Watson in his final competitive game for the season as Skipper. He deservedly accepted the Plate in the presentations ceremony and held it aloft for all to see, amongst a very happy Billingham Under 14s team.

Festival Stats over 7 games

Tries    for 10      against 3

Cons    for 6        against 2

Pens     for 2        against 0

Points  for 68      against 19

We have finally won something. Well done Lads.

Harrogate went on to win the Trophy.