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It has been very encouraging to see so many players turning up every week with a regular attendance of over 20 kids having a great time learning the basics. It is lovely to see them enjoying the game with many of the parents are now getting involved.
After a series of away training sessions at Farnborough, Guildford and Guildfordians we recently host Esher at home where we continued to show massive improvements in all areas of our game. We had a great game against a much bigger club and despite the weather, a biting wind; it was great to see some superb passing with great running from Marcus, Mikey and Ben showing how the game should be played at this level. Again it was a very strong defence that kept us in front led by Max and Teddy who tracked back and covered so much of the pitch. My thanks to Ian, Rose and James for helping to organise the kids and helping everyone get a game.
I am confident that the festivals in March will enable us to build on the improvements we have already made this year with some real talent starting to blossom which means that Cranleigh Rugby Club will have a very bright future.
Ian Searle
U7s Coach
The U11’s have had a great start to 2008, welcoming new players Charlie and Jack to our committed group of players.
Early in January we went to Guildfordians which started with a joint training session of about 50 boys both clubs U11s and U12s. Then we played two games; with Cranleigh U11s and U12s playing separately against Old Guildfordians combined squads split into As and Bs. We played the Bs first on a very narrow pitch, and Bill was very unlucky not to score as he hit the corner flag as he put the ball down. We finally got the score that mattered in the second half to win 5-0. Then come their A’s, who had a huge pack but we dominated the set scrum We played down hill and down wind in the first half, but couldn’t get a score. After half time we again control but couldn’t quite get over the line to finish 0-0 – it felt like a victory!
The first weekend of February saw us welcome <Esher>. They started the stronger, and were soon two tries up. Then the fight back started. Sean ran hard to touch down from close range. Esher then scored again to make it 15-5 before Andrew half nipped round the blind side of an attacking scrum for a score to make it 15-10 at half time. The forwards were now scrummaging better, and the backs were gaining in confidence. After a lot of pressure Alex crashed over, peeling yet again off a maul to make the score 15-15. <Esher> came back at us and it needed a try saving tackle from Charlie to keep the scores level at the final whistle.
Skill levels are improving, players and coaches are enjoying themselves and we look forward to the rest of the season with confidence.
Simon Jozwiak
U11s Coach
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The under 9’s have made great progress this season and have got to grips with the more physical aspects of tackling, rucking, and mauling very well. This has created a side to be reckoned with and the team has developed a particularly strong defence which combined with some very good attacking play has stood us in great stead. As a result the players are enjoying their rugby and confidence in both the teams and the individuals’ abilities is growing. This was very evident on a number of occasions during the early season where we have beaten sides that had previously scored highly against us. In-fact on several occasions it has been necessary to mix teams up in order to avoid a total whitewash of the opposition. We have also benefited greatly from regular matches against the U’10’s which have served well to grown the teams confidence. During these games it is pleasing to observe significant individual improvements, throughout the team and players are beginning to help each other adding to a growing sense of camaraderie which is very pleasing.
The results so far this season are encouraging, the U9’s performed well at the Waverly Festival (losing only to Guildford, Camberley and Wimbledon), they came third at the Harlequins mini tournament, and have done really well against other Surrey sides beating everyone we have played and turning in particularly good performances against Alton, Midhurst, Eastbourne and Guildfordians. Last week Esher were dismissed very easily and against Alton and Petersfield, we had to mix up the teams.
Results Alton - Teams Mixed
Midhurst - Won 15 - 5
Easebourne - Won 20 - 0
Farnborough - Won 20 - 0
Petersfield - Won 15 - 5
Guildford - Won 10 - 5
Esher - Won 25 - 0
We will be facing stronger opposition over the next few months but if things continue as they have the coaches have every confidence that the side will continue to enjoy their rugby and perform well. Support to the coaching team has also been impressive and Gerry and I have benefited greatly from the support of Dave Preston, Steve Shutts, Gary Buckingham and others, thank you. The parental support generally has also been fantastic and I am most grateful to you all, especially for the e mails and notes keeping me up to speed when I am away.
Thanks again to all of the parents for the support and encouragement. From the Squad, thanks to the parents for all the support and the ferrying around.
From the coaches the parents and the players, thanks must go to Toby Eves and, in particular, Gill Westerman, without whose efforts none of us would know what was going on. Thank You.
Simon Stringer & Jerry Westerman
U9’s Coaches
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