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We started the season without enough players to make up a 12 player team, but worked really hard in training. At the Waverley Festival we borrowed players and played a number of sessions against a well drilled Farnham team who won, but we had a good introduction to 12 a side. We were now beginning to attract some new blood; however we only took 9 players to Alton where we played against a squad of 40. We played some great fluent rugby to draw 14 all in a game we could have won.
The following week we went to Midhurst for a triangular match with the hosts and Eastbourne. We lost to Midhurst in the last minute, but then dominated against Eastbourne to run out comfortable 26-0 winners. January saw us playing Guildfordians, where we played A and B teams from their combined U11/12 squad. We beat the B’s 5-0 and then drew with the A’s, who had a massive pack 0-0, but it felt like a victory.
We drew 15 all against Esher before playing Farnham away, losing our first match in our worst performance of the season, before regaining our pride against a different squad and winning 20-10. The Guildfordians Festival was on a horrible rain swept day but the boys kept their concentration very well. In the pool stage we beat Battersea, Guildfordians and Old Reigatians plus a walk over against Old Emmanuel to reach the final. Our opponents Bracknell had won their last 3 Festivals and were much bigger – the boys tackled their hearts out on a mud-bath and counter attacked when they could. The match finished 0-0 for us to be Joint Winners.
After a training session in the snow. Our final fixture was the Surrey Development Festival. On the day we only had 11 players but drew with Dorking, beat a massive Streatham and Croyden team, lost to a good Old Alleynians team when we were tiring and had a walk over win against Battersea, to finish a very credible second in our group.
Our final figures for the season are won 7 (plus 2 walk overs), drew 5, and lost 4. It was great to see the team always tackling to the end, with any number of great defensive efforts on our line, and a desire to play a wide running game when we could.
The boys (and their parents) should be really proud of what they have achieved – every game has been against a larger squad!
Most Improved Player was Bill, the boys voted for Alex as Players’ Player, and Andrew was Coaches’ Player of the Year.
Simon Jozwiak
U11s Coach
The U10s have had a very good season. It’s great to see them developing into a team and beginning to recognise and respect each others strengths within the game.
Next season we shall be introducing the five man scrum, which means we’ll need to shuffle round the positions. Special thanks to James in this respect, who strengthened the scrum this season!
‘The 3 Harrys’ have gone from strength to strength,
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(and are now looking for a record deal!!). Tom, George, Charlie & Christopher were all vital components, adding a sense of style and panache to a strong and controlled team.
We played many matches in the cold, rain, hail and wind this season. On many occasions with only the bare minimum 9 players and no Sub!! We played so bravely, wiping away mud and sweat and on some occasions tears, playing courageously to the bitter end. As the season advanced, we battled on to achieve victory and win matches.
We had a great day out at Harlequins again this season and a BIG thank you goes to Will & Joe’s dad, Dean, for giving the Under 10s Team (Coaches and Manager too!!) a guided tour of the Harlequins’ changing rooms! Fantastic…..
We ended the season on an excellent note at the Guildfordians and Sutton & Epsom festivals. So congratulations all round.
One other mention must go to the Under 10s parents who were are ALL hugely supportive of the boys - cheering and, on some occasions, willing them over the line! Special thanks to all the coaches who calmly and patiently encouraged them every Sunday.
The Under 10s are a fun and hard working team and always welcome new boys and girls who would like to play Rugby. So spread the word and tell your friends to come on down. The parents are fun and partial to a social occasion too!! Remember the Christmas Party Mums & Dads?? Mythos Restaurant will never be the same again….
Orla Constant
U10s Manager
Firstly, congratulations to the squad who played in the "Surrey A" festival, the calibre of the teams was excellent and the opposition was among the strongest that we have faced. Despite this the squad acquitted themselves extremely well.
It has been a good year and Gerry, Dave and I are delighted with the progress that the squad have made, we have given some teams some real shocks (not least the under 10's!) and I look forward to the next season.
Thanks to all the players for all your hard work this year, for your commitment and effort, well done, we are very proud of you all. To the parents for the support, the ferrying around (the cups of tea) and assistance - thank you very much, it is much appreciated, without you there isn't a team.
To Dave Preston, Jerry and Gill Westerman, thanks aren't really enough but, as ever, your work and efforts are very much appreciated by everyone.
See you all next season!
Simon Stringer
U9’s Coach
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The U7’s are where it all starts and it really is a privilege to be able to be involved in nurturing a love for the game which is evidenced every week both by the parents and children who turn out come rain or shine. A bit like last year the end of the season was disrupted by the weather but strong performances at the festivals – I think we could have won the Guildfordian tournament having easily won our first two games; having come second at Guildford showed huge improvements in handling, positioning general awareness and an understanding of the game. We were unlucky at both of the Surrey Festivals but they were thoroughly enjoyed by all.
What impressed me most this year was at all of the festivals I did not see any forward passes by any of our players, they all showed real maturity and a grasp of the game that will stand them in very good stead for the future – I of course put the talent being nurtured by a superb coaching team and not the genes of some very sporty parents and keen rugby players themselves!!
All in all, this has been a great season with significant improvements across the entire team.
Even at this level Rugby is a game for all sizes from the Hayden twins with their blistering pace, James who never seemed to get tackled, charging Mikey, slippery Ben who seemed to be able to move through tacklers before they
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noticed he was there, tram line Teddy (who seems to live on the touch line), smooth Max, the speedsters of Lukas, James, and William who always seemed to be in the right place at the right time, William who seems to be able to run forever and real commitment from Conrad, Conner, Edward and all the others that make up such a strong squad.
We have the makings of a very good team for the future with this group, some will move up to the U8’s with me next season but a lot of them will be staying in the U7’s for another year so I look forward to an exciting 2007/8 season with some seasoned old hands and some good performances in the tournaments to come.
I’d like to finish with a thank you to Andrew Saunders, Ian Devoil, and all of the parents who helped out this year and of course Rob Wheeler who when he wasn’t breaking his knees whilst still playing helped me enormously. We are all volunteers and it would be impossible without the support of the parents getting involved and bringing their kids along.
I am looking forward to next season and building on a very successful 07/08 season as we have the foundations for a very strong and sizeable squad going forward both in the U7’s and U8’s.
Ian Searle
U7s Coach
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