Norfolk Rugby Cup U13 final: West Norfolk 10, North Walsham U13 17The first exchanges were hard and frantic with West Norfolk getting the better of the rucks and mauls but struggled to get through the Walsham defence.

Norfolk Rugby Cup U13 final: West Norfolk 10, North Walsham U13 17

The first exchanges were hard and frantic with West Norfolk getting the better of the rucks and mauls but struggled to get through the Walsham defence.

When Walsham gained the advantage the superior handling skills of their backs showed signs of promise but it was West Norfolk who scored first.

Walsham however turned up the pressure. The forwards began dominating and Max Wilson was skilfully switching the play to keep West guessing. Nick Siemens was gaining yards every time he carried the ball and Dec Sowter was showing excellent handling skills in releasing Oliver Bradfield who was always a threat.

After numerous attacks with West Norfolk tackling manfully, Walsham again used their backs to great success and Oliver Bradfield outpaced the defensive line to score. In the windy conditions the conversions were always going to be difficult and Dec Sowter converted the only kick of the day to give Walsham the lead 7-5.

There then followed a concerted period when Walsham dominated in all areas. The front three of Tom Bolton, Stephen Lewing and Sam Duffield never moved backwards and George Alcock and Tom Turnbull were lightning fast in securing the ball at the rucks and Walsham went further ahead.

A great move, which started in the forwards utilising Eddie Slater and Will Briscoe to punch holes in the West Norfolk defence, was switched out to the backs. The ball went out to Oliver Bradfield who drew the defence and then released Will Fleming who hit the line perfectly to score in the corner.

Walsham lost George Alcock to the blood bin after a nasty knock on the eye. Harry Jolly came on and immediately went to work disrupting the West forwards. However West took advantage of the change and used their strength to break the Walsham defensive line. Again West scored when they outnumbered Walsham in the backs. Concerted tackles from Charlie Hawkins, Jamie Gregory and Peter Miller stopped West edging into the lead.

With the wind in Walsham's favour in the second half, the forwards dominated the rucks and mauls with Will Briscoe and Nick Siemens enjoying and winning the battle in the forwards. George Alcock came back on but with Harry Jolly in combination with Eddie Slater and Tom Turnbull winning the battle of the back three and with Peter Miller suffering after a bang on the elbow, Alcock resumed as replacement winger.

In a move which went through almost all the Walsham players and after Jamie Gregory playing his best game to date for Walsham nearly scored in the corner, the forwards sucked in all West Norfolk's available defence which allowed Max Wilson to pass the ball through to Dec Sowter who released Charlie Hawkins to draw the last of the West Norfolk defence and pass out the George Alcock to finish in the corner.

Walsham brought on Martin Kleinhelm, Toby Daniels and Joe Morrell who all immediately made an impact. West could not handle Morrell and Daniels in the scrum and Kleinheim's sheer aggression almost resulted in a try in the corner.

Although all boys showed great skill and determination particular mention should be made of Charlie Hawkins, Dec Sowter and Tom Turnbull who all played out of position for the benefit of the team and to man of the match Will Fleming, not just for the try but his all-round display of tackling and kicking and his unnerving ability to be in the right position when West Norfolk kicked.

Thanks must also go to Alex Karop and Freddie Duncan who made the long trip but on this occasion did not get on.