Abergavenny Thursdays Under 12's with their trophy
Thursday’s Under 12s win SCI Brean Sands Easter Tournament unbeaten
Last year the under 12s attended this hotly contested tournament and whilst not winning it, did win the fair play award for the most sporting side. This year the boys were intent on winning both prizes. The competition consisted of six 40 minute games played over 2 days against teams from England and Scotland.
Thursdays drew their first game 4-4 against a very strong Dorchester side. They then went on to win the next 2 games 3-2 and 2-1 to end the first day joint top of their division with the Dorchester side but trailing on goal difference.
The second day was difficult for the boys as key defender Huw Williams was unavailable to play due to a family bereavement. Jack Thomas took his place in the starting line up and played excellently all day. All the boys played the first game with a lot of heart and finally won 4-2. The second game, and as it turned out the tournament decider, was a relatively easy 2-1 win against the West Midlands side –Wednesbury.
Unbeaten to that point after 5 games, the final game was against the Falkirk Academy side who whilst unable to win the competition were playing for the pride of Scotland. By half time Thursdays were 2-0 down and Falkirk were relishing the opportunity to beat the champions. It looked as though Thursdays unbeaten run was to come to an embarrassing end, however a stiff half time team talk fired the boys into action and they battled to win a well deserved 2-2 draw against this strong Scottish side.
The Thursdays side ultimately won the championship a good 3 points clear and were unbeaten all weekend.
The final statistics were played 6, won 4, drawn 2, lost 0. Top goal scorer Joe Richardson with 8.
The large trophy was awarded by ex-league player Steve Claridge and accepted by captain Ellis Jones during the Sunday evening presentation ceremony. Thursdays also took an Under 11 side to Brean Sands and whilst they did not win their championship they did win the Fair Play Award for the Club. Both trophies and all the club pennants can be seen on display in the Thursday’s Clubhouse at the Pen-y-pound ground.
