helenkay
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| Sun Mar 02, 2008 8:43 pm Tour and match report 1&2 Mar 2008 |
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Chinnor U11 Tour 1-2 March 2008
The 2007-8 CRFC U11/12 Tour took over 60 excited boys and 18 apprehensive adults to Calshot Activities Centre on the shores of the Solent in Hampshire on Saturday 1 March. 2 massive hangars housed a huge range of climbing walls, an archery range and indoor sports pitches. Also on site were a dry ski slope and a velodrome which the squad didn’t have use of. Rumours that these facilities were subjected to out-of-hours abuse by unnamed allegedly responsible attendees are completely untrue, your honour.
After an enjoyably scenic drive to the Centre, giving us all the chance to enjoy the delights of Winchester Services, the boys wolfed down a hot lunch and hit the hangars. Archery was a big hit and the climbing wall proved very popular with even the most reluctant participants persuaded to give it a go. 5-a-side football and rugby rounders completed the afternoon’s activities, and the boys then retired to their rooms to spend the time before supper convincing Messrs Morris and O’Neill to make their beds for them. Note to parents – knowing how to put on a duvet cover is a useful life skill. After another slap up meal served with a smile by the charming Calshot canteen operatives, it was time for a little cerebral exercise in the form of a general knowledge quiz followed by a DVD and a relatively early bedtime in preparation for the next day’s matches
On Sunday morning a particularly enthusiastic player couldn’t contain his excitement (you know who you are) and thoughtfully knocked on everyone’s doors before the sun was up. Hearty breakfasts were the order of the day before piling back on to the coach for the trip to Newbury RFC.
A team
The previous day's exertion took their toll on the Chinnor A team who were on the defensive from the first kick. Strong driving from Iestyn, Charlie K, Charlie M, Matthew and Jack, accurate passing to hands and some saving kicks from Charlie P kept Chinnor in the game for most of the first half. Charlie M, Iestyn and Matthew continued to drive the mauls and push hard over the rucks but Newbury were not having any of it and kept the ball firmly in the Chinnor half for the whole of the first half. Andrew K saved one particular offensive drive from Newbury with an accurate clearing kick. Some darting runs from Harry L, Jake and Adam P kept Chinnor hopes alive before Newbury broke away and scored a try on the half-time whistle.
More hard tackling from Matthew and Charlie K got the second half off to a good start. A good driving move from the forwards released Iestyn to run for the corner flag only to be pushed into touch within feet of the line. Some uncharacteristic slips in discipline on the Chinnor side were swiftly dealt with by the referee and the Chinnor coach. Regrouping and focussing on the job in hand Chinnor fought back with a Jack G taking a catch on the full, running back at Newbury and releasing Adam C to accelerate up the wing. Excellent defensive tackling from Thomas S and Charlie P kept Chinnor in the game until some impressive driving from Newbury led to their second try which was duly converted. Final score 0 – 12.
B team
Having had the time for a thorough warm-up, the team put the pressure full on from the starting whistle. Spectators were treated to well organised phases of play, solid rucking and good off-loads, with some classic down-the-line-to-the-wings moves practiced so often in training. Harry S scored the first try of the match, set up by Thomas B’s savage tackling and tight pack work from Greg, Ollie, Sam H, Chris H and Theo. Nathaniel’s furious defence stopped Newbury in their tracks, and Finn, James, Cameron and Chris W harried the opposition and scattered any attack they tried to muster. Strong pack pressure led to a tap-&-go penalty and try by Greg, bringing the half-time score to 14-0, both tries having been converted.
The back seven all switched for the second half, but the pressure stayed consistently high. Henry L, Bryn and Jake showed those watching some good, hard play and Luca and Olly were vital in support. Sam E, as nimble as a ballerina, spun his way through numerous tackles for one penetrating run after another. Sam H took the ball 3/4s of the pitch to be pushed out of touch at the last yard. The pack’s skill in the rucks let to the final try by Henry L (converted by Sam E). Despite Newbury’s best efforts, Chinnor retained the majority of possession and denied them the chance to score. An excellent show of true team rugby brought the final score to 21 – 0.
Non-players included Alex Robertson, who came along to lend support despite being unable to play since early in the season and James Millett, sidelined by an injury just before the first match.
After a match lunch of chips, chips and a few more chips, bloated with starch and decorated with special tour medals, the boys hoisted themselves back into the coach for the triumphant ride home. New ties were forged, old friendships strengthened and everyone enjoyed their first tour experience. Special thanks have to go to the parents who came along – James, Martin, Paul and the Peters – Niall for his usual organisational wizardry and excellent nagging ….. sorry, I mean “reminding” ….. skills, and of course Jonathan, Neil and Tim. |
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