Catch up with all the news from the amateur section.
U6 Update:
Under the expert guidance of Kenny, George, David and Tom, the London Scottish U6s have had a hugely encouraging start to the season. The crop of players ooze quality, and now that they have started to master the importance of passing backwards, are surely destined for big things.
Numbers on a Sunday morning are promising, and the children have really enjoyed the game-based drills on offer. Tag rugby has been slowly introduced alongside key ball and dodging skills. The sessions are varied, with tug of war and assault courses being well received in recent weeks. There is a clear sense of ‘team’ emerging too, which is pleasing and a growing pride in wearing the badge, supporting teammates and, critically, listening carefully to instructions.
There have been two very successful ‘away days’, which help the children get used to arriving at a different venue and still perform. It should be noted that we won the competitive relay against Teddington by a country mile and, only this week, took on a strong Wasps outfit and emerged victorious; huge progress in just a few weeks. Get your bets in; this lot are going all the way.
Sam Robinson – U6 Parent
U7 Update:
Washing machines and hot showers were running overtime on Sunday afternoon after the London Scottish Under-7s team returned from a muddy adventure at the Wasps. It was a wonderful training session over in Acton, and we received a warm welcome and all-round great hospitality.
From our squad, 15 players made the trip. There was a good dose of bulldog, a few drills and some fun mini rugby games, with teams made up from both clubs. It was a lovely opportunity to focus on passing skills and how to improve them. There was so much enthusiasm from all sides.
The pitches may have been muddy, but luckily the rain stayed away. Blake and Monty were our players of the week. Both were hoisted up on the shoulders of the Wasps coach and given some mighty hoorays. And yes, we definitely let everyone know who we play for!
We can’t wait to host the Wasps next time.
By the way, did you know that bringing bags of marshmallows to practice is a Wasps tradition?
Till next time.
Alex Eliseev – U7 Parent
Junior’s Update:
It’s been a very positive few weeks for the U14s. After multiple disruptions around half term, it has been good to get the core of our squad back together. We have been lucky enough to welcome several exciting new players to the squad of late and it has been great watching them gel with some of the older hands.
Our pack has recently come into its own and has been providing a great platform for the rest of the team to play. Our recent league match against Harpenden was a case in point. The final score 29-5 sounds one sided, but with the score only 10-5 at half time the match was seemingly anyone’s.
The hard grind of pushing their boys backward for scrum after scrum was not wasted. Whilst their backs lived in fear of knocking the ball on, ours could play with freedom and it was particularly pleasing to see the ball move fluently through many hands to the likes of Max Thomson and Alfie to score.
Stern tackling preserved our line on many occasions and also led directly to one of Josh Guild’s two fine tries. Neither was Aleks to be denied a captain’s try at the death. Our 10, Max Mccarthy, kicked with assurance and made a couple of impressive conversions from extraordinarily acute angles.
A friendly fixture vs our neighbours Richmond offered another yardstick of our progress. The match was played in a great spirit and although Richmond started with a ‘B’ team, they soon realised that they should stiffen up their pack with some ‘A’ players.
Nonetheless our boys gave all they had at the death and Scottish wound up narrow victors. Onwards and upwards!
Rory Dusoir – U14 Coach
Girl’s Rugby Update:
The U18 girls team recently played two fixtures. The first, away to Wimbledon in our first RFU Cup pool match, was a scrappy affair with the Scottish girls coming from behind at half time to run out eventual winners 31-10 with a try bonus. Which puts us in the driving seat in the pool.
Then 10 days ago we hosted Cobham for a return friendly having suffered away to them earlier in the season. This time the game was much closer fought and despite never quite getting ahead on the score sheet London Scottish were level at half time and within two points with 10 minutes left but conceded a couple of late tries to lose 22-36.
Of the two games the girls acknowledged that their better performance was in defeat to Cobham and all took away some valuable experiences to build on.
The U18 girls team have three more games in the run up to Christmas, including two at RAG so come and watch if you have time.
Tim Lawn – Convener of Girl’s Rugby
Touch Update:
Mixed social touch rugby continues to run at the RAG on a Monday evening from 7.00-8.30pm on pitch 2.
Should you be interested in getting involved then please do join us or email Tim Hardman (tim.hardman@niche.org.uk) for more information.
