Catch up with all the latest from the amateur section:
Minis’ Update:
With U12s hosting a Middlesex tournament the U9, U10 and U11s moved over to Old Deer Park for our final training session of 2019. The weather remained dry and sunny for the whole session and with the heavy rain through the night the ground was soft and muddy. Perfect conditions for lots of tackling!
Mark Tweedie set up his legendary “assault course” which included a cargo net we all had to scramble under, hurdles, tyre flips, slalom poles and a passing circuit. It was incredible fun for all, including parents and coaches who all got involved. Minis Chairman Iain Whyte,took a bit of a face plant when taking on the cargo net and emerged looking like a muddy monster!
The U11s conducted their 2nd “bleep test” of the season with everyone measuring a solid improvement on fitness levels. As is customary on the final session of the year, all games were based around parents vs kids so after the coaches winning an initial game of kicking and catching so the kids were looking for revenge.
Coaches and kids ran until they were about to drop, fighting to “beat the bleep”. In the end however, there was only ever going to be one winner in this game and that was the lightning fast Will Pinney managing an incredible 11.3 rounds. Well done Will!
The final game of the day was the eagerly awaited game of touch rugby between adults and kids. It was a very tense game, leaving a few parents and coaches regretting a few too many mince pies and work Christmas parties! The adults however had a secret weapon in the form of Zimbabwe professional player and U11s coach Jordan Coombes. Despite having been out for his rugby club Christmas party that previous night, he was on form and delivered some champagne rugby that helped ease the adults to a much deserved win! History will record that the U11s Christmas touch 2019 score was a 7-6 win to the adults!
Overall it has been an utterly tremendous year for the Minis. We executed the biggest ever festival, had a very successful recruitment campaign through the summer led by John Fletcher and attended 7 school fairs raising significant funds for schools in our community. A big thank you to all involved and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year!
Iain Whyte – Mini Rugby Chairman
Juniors’ Update:
Sunday was a gorgeous day for rugby but ultimately proved somewhat underwhelming for the numbers challenged U12s at the Middlesex Festival games played at the RAG.
Illness and injury left us with a diminished player count and, in the early going we had to take loan of a few Ruislip players to fill out the field. It was a slow start, but, with the addition of a couple of late arrivals, the play improved in the first match against Ruislip Bs.
As the second half got underway, a beautifully set up try from Oscar off a Ruislip penalty seemed to build momentum, but in the end, Ruislip’s coordinated attack and superior tackling won the day and the Scots went down 4 to 1.
The next game against Harrow began with solid momentum, and the Scots held their own into half time with a 0-0 draw. However, in the second half the boys began to fade, and play deteriorated from the uplift of the previous game’s late surge. Harrow took control right from the start of the second half and parlayed that into a 4-0 win.
Individually there was some great play on the Scottish side, with James, Luca, Alfie and Daniel leading the way, but all in all it was a tough outing, and one that we’ll look to put behind us in the new year!
Andrew Laws – U12s Coach
Girls’ Rugby Update:
Our U13 “super 6” girls headed around to London Welsh for a Celtic Barbarians match up against local rivals Harlequins on Sunday 15th December.
Despite the recent rain the pitch was in good condition and suited the fast off-loading and running game that all of the girls had practised the previous week at our place…whilst the score was frankly irrelevant notable mentions must go to:
– Ella, showing real pace to scorch in 3 tries with a beautiful outside arcing run
– Esme for really punching above her weight in tackles
– Eva for some solid scrum and clearing our work
– Emily, who has only picked up a rugby ball 4 weeks ago for reading the game so well
with timely contributions in defence and attack
– Primrose for some great tackling and handling under massive pressure
– Lucy for brilliant support lines and was unlucky not to add a try herself
A great morning for all and a quote from the ref summed up the ultimate winner:
“Wow, that was the best game I have reffed all season, skills, passion and friendship…girls rugby won today”
Darren Bartlett – Girls Rugby Coach
Touch Update:
Are you missing your rugby? Want one last run out before Christmas?
The touch team will be on pitch 2 on Monday evening from 7.00-8.30pm. All welcome. Come down and join us!
Tim Hardman – Convener of Touch Rugby
Colts Update:
The Colts final match before Christmas looks set to be a cracker as they take on Lambs Rugby on Wednesday, at home, under the lights, KO 7:00pm.
Lambs rugby are the schools equivalent to the Barbarians and provide an opportunity for players to showcase their talents at representative level. Their hallmark is fast, expansive, heads-up rugby. Equally, the Colts (sponsored by Friends of Scottish Rugby) will be keen to impose their own 15-man rugby style on the game and showcase their own talents which run throughout the team.
Head coach Michael Mullins (rugby master at Isleworth and Syon school, one of our partner schools) has selected a strong squad and we are looking forward to a classic match to start off the Christmas festivities.
If you are in the area on Wednesday, you won’t want to miss this one. Kick-off is 7:00 pm, and we will be playing on pitch 2 at the club.
Ian Hannah – Convener of Colts Rugby
Community Update:
On behalf of the London Scottish Community Programme we would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We look forward to working with you all in 2020.
Ross Peacock – One Club Rugby Director
