HARWICH and Dovercourt Rugby Club’s under-nines and under-11s travelled to Clacton for a minis tournament that also included Brightlingsea and touring side Rochford.

The under-11s played all four of their matches against Rochford teams, winning praise from those watching, including the opposition coaches.

Winning their first match, they showed great determination against a bigger team, turning over several mauls with either William Pearce or Harry Woodley usually at the centre of their good work.

Playing some good rugby in attack, with strong running from Josh Kirk, Harry Pitham and Regan Constable, they were on the front foot for most of the game.

The other three games saw Rochford come back with renewed determination and run out winners in three closely-fought contests.

Sam Parker, Billy Freeman-Woolley and Nathan McClellan-Scott all worked hard in defence, as did all their team-mates.

Joe Sewell made a couple of storming runs, Samuel Messenger made some good passes away from scrums and rucks and Matthew McCue showed elusive running and good hands.

Kirk rightly earned his place as Harwich player-of-the-day, with a number of great tackles and good attacking runs.

The under-nines’ established team of Stuart McCue, Luca Mason, Jake Wood, Ben Smith, Oliver Hubbard, Ajay Powell and William Garnham all played brilliantly, but special praise goes to three players making their debuts – MJ Clutton, Bradley Durrant and Lily Messenger, who was player of the day, scoring twice and making lots of tackles.

Both Harwich teams finished runners up in the tournament, adding another two trophies to the cabinet.