By Barney Burnham
February 5 2007

The U-14s have done it. They beat London Welsh 28-0, to become champions of Herts and Middx League Division 1, a year after winning Division 2 at U-13 level. It took them just over a minute to open the score. Flyhalf Alex Hodgkinson sent an excellent crossfield kick into acres of space on the right. Winger Laurence Owen ran on to it and outstripped the defence to go over for a try which Hodgkinson converted.

Wasps then had to defend for ten minutes, as Welsh camped in their 22. When they eventually made it to the other end, they got their second try, on 18 minutes. Welsh won a lineout near their own line, but the flyhalf was given a hospital pass. The Wasps back row flattened him, the ball was turned over, and it went out to the backs, for Dylan Demange to go over near the posts. Hodgkinson again converted.

The third try came straight from the restart. Wasps took it cleanly inside their 22, close to the right touchline. The ball was slipped out to Owen, who burst through a couple of weak tackles and raced away for his second try of the morning, which Hodgkinson converted.

Welsh started the second half strongly, and Wasps were forced to show some characteristically determined tackling. They then had several chances to secure the bonus point. The best came when replacement winger Harold Sacau was sent clear down the left. Instead of trusting his pace, he cut inside, and was stopped just short of the line. He did touch the ball down, but was penalised for a double movement.

It was Sacau who secured, but didn't score, the bonus point try, with just 8 minutes left. Wasps won possession near the right-hand corner, and the ball was worked across to the left. His speed took him clear of the defence, but a high tackle as he crossed the line meant he didn't ground the ball. The referee briefly consulted the TJ, and a penalty try was awarded. Hodginson's fourth conversion was the final score of the game.

Atomic Wasp's ALLEZ WASPS banner hung proudly at the far end of the ground, and the team gathered there for a celebration. As I left, I heard the strains of the Bonnet song. I paused, to see whether they'd be singing the 'other victory song'. I was slightly relieved that they didn't - they're still a bit young.