THE Old Pens under sevens hosted both CRICC and Fairwater under sevens on Sunday, October 26, with both opposition's historically being formidable and far from easy to overcome.

Team Orange was captained by Gabriel Chandler, who bonded his team together to face each challenge pitch side with considerable experience and volume while running in tries at each game. CRICC One were dispatched in the first game in what proved to be the most testing opposition for Team Orange, the Old Pens finally overcoming nine tries to six.

The following game was similar in terms of standard of opposition, with Fairwater proving less than straightforward to overcome. The Orange Team secured a deserved 7 - 4 win eventually. The CRICC Two Team were beaten 9 - 2 in the final encounter of the day for the Orange Team, as the Old Pens opened up their game against tired opposition.

Team Orange displayed many characteristics of the support play necessary to consistently win games against tough visitors such as Fairwater and CRICC, and must be commended for the unselfish manor in which they are electing to play. Notable performances were seen from Sammy Powell, who is quickly achieving the expectations placed on him and Otis Colderly, who is consistently turning up in the right place at the right time.

Tyler James had an impressive début, with a hungry performance all round topped by two solid tries. William 'The Danger Man' Reypert provided a lionhearted tagging performance throughout all games, distinctly reducing the opposition's ability to progress.

The captaincy of Team Green was taken up by Noah Williams, who displayed a cultivated style of leadership as well as retaining a sensational ability to run with the ball quickly. The first clash against CRICC Two resulted in a high scoring match on both sides with the Old Pens securing an 11 - 8 point margin, with Alphie Gore competently displaying the benefits of playing in support by picking up three tries with balls offloaded into his hands and clear space to the opponent line.

The Fairwater encounter resulting in an 8 - 4 win for the Old Pens Green Team, where tight defending maintained the distance between the teams. CRICC One again turned out to be threatening opposition, with the Old Pens working hard to achieve the final 9 - 7 win of the day against a rugged line up.

As with the Orange Team, the Green Team rose above the sum total of individual performances to produce a true team achievement that was a pleasure to watch. Edo Abramovich tagged like a Banshee through all games, while miraculously finding time to cross the Fairwater Line. William Bennett, Luke Shallis and Gruffy Pemberton-Jones all stood out as unnerving utility players, who were at home at on any part of the pitch performing any duty required. Lewys Tollerfield and Isaac Clawson again provided the backbone to their team with defensive play resulting in a near impregnable line.

Well done again for another clean sweep, but the opposition is getting stronger week by week, the under sevens line ups have this in the back of their mind and know that they need to keep improving to stay at the top of their game.