Published: 14 March, 2013
by STEVE BARNETT

THE tiny tacklers from Hampstead Rugby Club were back in action at the weekend when they took part in the Middlesex Development Festival.
The Under-9s  started the day with back-to-back defeats against London Welsh and Rosslyn Park.

But showing true spirit the side improved as the event progressed, earning a draw against Hammersmith and scoring enough points along the way to finish third in their group and move into the semi-finals of the Vase competition.  

With Will Shingles and Elliott Flacquet sharing the tries, Hampstead stepped up a gear as they beat Saracens 2-0 in the semi-finals before going on to win the final against Wasps 3-0 to capture the title.

Driven on by the unstoppable Thomas Scott-Linden the glory for Hampstead continued as their Under-10s won all of their games in the tournament, which was held in Ealing.

The team qualified for the knockout phase after beating London Welsh and Hackney Bulls to win their group. Scrum-half Scott-Linden scored two tries as Hampstead stormed to a 7-1 victory over London Welsh. Bas Sakia, Laurie Taylor, Sam Nathan, Henry Chadwick and Louis Gilbert also scored. Scott-Linden bagged two more tries against Hackney in a much closer affair. Gilbert chipped in with his second try in as many games as Hampstead secured a narrow 3-2 victory.

In the semi-final Hampstead came from behind to beat Pinner 2-1 thanks to their hero of the hour Scott-Linden, who continued his hot streak with both scores. The first try was set-up by an excellent run by Charlie Brett who was just inches from the line when he passed the ball to Scott-Linden for the first of his two tries.

With hosts Ealing standing in their way in the final, it was fitting Scott-Linden again proved the stand-out player as he scored a hat-trick to cap a magnificent individual display.

Bas Sakia also scored as Hampstead lifted the winners’ trophy following a hard fought 4-3 victory.