Rochford under-14s' rugby stars underlined the growing stature of the club youth section by sharing the top honours in the highly-prized Colchester Festival.

Rochford beat Harlow and Aylesbury in the round robin games, but lost to Saracens 14-0 and Wymondham 5-0.

They qualified for the semi-finals in fourth place, where they gained revenge on Saracens, despite trailing 7-0 after an interception try.

Rochford's extra determination saw them grab two decisive second-half scores to triumph 10-7.

They then drew a very hard final with Wymondham 0-0, and, although the competition rules state a toss of a coin should decide such matters, it was ruled that the trophy would be shared due to the unstinting efforts of both teams.

Meanwhile, Rochford generally dominated their own minis festival, winning eight times and drawing once.

The under-sevens were exciting 15-10 victors against South Woodham, then drew 20-20 with a strong Woodford side.

The under-eights overwhelmed Woodford 40-0 and South Woodham 35-5, while the under-10s overcame the absence of key players to also beat Woodham, 35-0.

Three tough games were faced by the under-11s, who beat Saracens B 14-7, lost to Woodford 14-0 and went down 34-7 to Saracens A.

However, it was Rochford under-12s who notched the performance of the day.

They defeated a powerful Woodford side 21-0 and upsetting favourites Saracens 28-0.

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