Eat Rugby Think Rugby Sleep Rugby Be Rugby U11s Season Report

Date: 25-04-2010
Venue: home
Opponents: Stratford
Result: Lions W25-0, W15-0, D0-0, W25-0 & Tigers D5-5

Stratford upon Avon U11s crowned a highly enjoyable season yesterday at the annual Stratford Mini & Junior Rugby Festival playing some attractive festival rugby in the sun.

The Tigers, represented by Ben Parker, Toby Tuszynski, Nathan Reeves, Jack Bunn-Major, Henri Lord, Nick Von Sydow, Bradley Mather, George Mason, Glenn McIntosh, Rajan Phakkey, Scott Barnett, Alex Edwards, Rhuairidh Hamer, Will Smith & Jack Devonald started against a determined and physical Cheltenham side. A sleepy start meant the concession of a very early try, but from there Stratford quickly got into their stride dominating Cheltenham for long periods and exposing weaknesses in their defence, particularly down the blindside. An equalising score was inevitable, and from there Stratford held on comfortably for the draw. By the time they got to their second pool match against Ashby, they were comfortably into their stride and ran out easy winners scoring five tries with excellent team work showing across the team. This put them all square on all counts at the end of the first group stage, with the toss of a coin deciding that Cheltenham would enter the group competing for the cup, and Stratford Tigers went into the plate.

The first match of the second group against Bromsgrove was a highly enjoyable and well contested match against a side that have improved immensely since we saw them at the start of this season. Again Stratford conceded an early try, but soon got back into the game competing well for the rest of the half only to concede a soft try more or less direct from the restart for the second half with what turned out to be the decisive try. From there on in, Stratford battered hard on the Bromsgrove door, but a determined and capable Bromsgrove side kept them out until the final play when Stratford finally crashed over, but lost the game two tries to one. The final game was a game too far for the tiring Tigers against the very capable touring side from Pocklington who ran out five tries to nil winners though the boys from Stratford never let their heads drop. A quick word about our guests, who played some outstanding rugby during the day, were a thoroughly pleasant group of adults and children who were a delight to host and deserved winners of the Shield on the day.

The Lions, represented by Henry Bloomfield, Jordan Dowsett, Ted McDonald, Ianto Davies, James Wheeler, Tom Jackson, Jordan Baker, Josh Bloomfield, Nick David, Henry Beach, Nick Rigby, Freddie Lavender, Jack Hazel, Oliver Burrell & Fraizer Kiff completed an unbeaten season by sharing the honours with a strong & improving Worcester side to win the trophy. The Lions coasted through their first game, easily beating the Worcester B side that had, unexpectedly, not arrived for the fixture earlier in the season. Bromsgrove provided a stiffer test and pinned Stratford on their own line in the early exchanges but were not able to make their pressure pay and Stratford ran out 3 tries to nil winners to top their group and go into the trophy pool. The next game, between Worcester A and Stratford Lions was in effect the final. The game was not dissimilar to the game played earlier this season in which Stratford ran out two tries to nil winners, with a very capable Worcester pack securing a good platform but the immense tackling from the Lions keeping them out. In the end I expect Worcester will have been disappointed not to have converted territory and possession and Stratford disappointed with some of the decisions that kept them in their own half for long periods of the second half and denied a score near the end. In the end though a draw was a fair result for two well matched sides who both went on to easily despatch Cheltenham in their final pool matches and share the trophy. Stratford Lions line was not breached all day having scored 13 tries and conceded none in the four games played, topping off a great festival season where all 3 winner’s trophies have been secured.

So what of the season as a whole? Well first and foremost all of the boys played with a smile on their face yesterday as they have all season, and while there were some bruised and battered bodies (and that is just the coaches!), everyone can look back on a campaign well fought.

The progression on the playing side has been immense, and the performance of the Tigers both yesterday and across the course of the season has shown how the strength has developed in the squad and that we can go into next season looking to build on these foundations. The next step for the Tigers is learning to compete in two critical areas against the more capable sides; at the breakdown and with first up tackling. Had we stopped Pocklington consistently with the first up tackle yesterday and then competed more effectively for the ball, the result would have been a lot closer. Ball handling & discipline has been a real strength though, with all of the squad moving the ball through the hands well, we make very few errors with knock ons and alignment is good.

For the Lions we have again played to our strengths this season. We are not a large side and have come up against some towering packs this year, but competed well despite an sizeable weight disadvantage at scrums and rucks. Undoubtedly we are at our best when we secure good ball and move it quickly. Ball handling & support play are our key strengths across the whole of the team and our priceless ability to convert possession into points and a rock solid defence are the key things that have really seen us home this season.

Off the pitch we enjoyed a fantastic tour to Bude and the support from the parents in the age group has been good. Over the summer we have paintball and camping planned, then to return refreshed and reinvigorated for our final campaign as minis.

Next season will bring an extra player to the side as the pack increases to 6 players with the addition of a number 8 though the pitch size is very similar. The start of the season will be a transition for many, as of course all of the boys will be moving onto senior school and I fully expect that we will bring a smile to many school rugby teachers faces when they see the quality the boys from Stratford have to offer, but equally we hope to see all of the boys back next term raring to go in the black and white hoops of Stratford.