Match report from the Quins Curtain Raiser Finals - 3 April 2010
Guildfordian U9s Stoop but don't Conquer!
On Saturday 3rd April, the Guildfordian Under 9s found themselves at the Grand Finals of the Etihad Airways Curtain Raiser Cup. Around 80 teams had entered and now we were 1 of 8 finalists to have battled their way to the final day of the competition. The Finals took place at the Twickenham Stoop - the home of the Harlequins - and the competition, described by the Quins as "the premier cup competition for (junior) teams in London and the South East", was always going to be tough. The Quins Community Officer described this season's Grand Finals "as the toughest they'd ever seen and that it was a real achievement to have made it this far." It was great to represent Guildfordians at this competition and the kids played their hearts out, even if on the day we weren't quite good enough. But now we know how much we need to improve!
The first game against Kings saw some of the biggest U9s I've ever seen! My other son, a member of the G's U11s, would not have looked out of place in their side and 'size-intimidation' is an effective weapon on the rugby pitch at this age - well, at any age come to think of it! The first contact saw their biggest player crash into Bo Beynon who came off with blood pouring from his mouth - the game was lost from that moment on. As far as the team was concerned this just confirmed that these guys were too big, too strong, and just too good! Two further injury-induced substitutions had been made before we even got to half time! We were out-rucked and out-mauled and just didn't fancy it. The final score ended 4v0. There was a lot of soul-searching at the end of the game and encouragement from the coaches for the players to believe in themselves.
There was a major lesson to be learnt and it was learnt quickly. The team improved 100% in the second match against Ealing - a team we had drawn against in the semi finals. Perhaps the fact we knew the opposition helped. We still couldn't get any space to release our flying backs and there was still too much running up the middle into bigger opposition, but this time we were not afraid to compete. Despite Ealing being the better team it was a close run thing, the difference being a crash over try, and Ealing managing to sneak a 1v0 win.
Buoyed by this better performance the confidence levels continued to rise and as we entered our last game against Reeds we at last started to play our own game. Tom Perceval, Alasdair Bulman, Connor Jones and Ben Sambrook all began to gain yardage from strong attacking runs. We competed at the break-down with Henry Miguda, Dom Ascough and Geogia Newman all getting stuck-in and possession and territory certainly favoured the Gs. However a break-away try against the run of play was enough to give Reeds a 1v0 victory in what proved a frustrating morning for the Gs.
The rest of the team really put their bodies on the line. Nick Thorn brought off some amazing try-saving tackles, Bo despite the early knock, put in some great cover work, Finlay McManus and Matthew Robertson burrowed-in and moved the ball quickly from their scrum half position, and Daniel Michell and Daniel Sumner showed their versatility and skill by filling gaps all over the field.
In the final, Kings lost to Rosslyn Park in a titanic battle. Ultimately this was an important experience for Guildfordians. Although we still have a lot to learn, we showed (in the second and third matches) that we can compete at this higher level if only we can dispel our fears and believe in ourselves. As the great Jonathan Davies once said "the most important part of a rugby player is the top two inches" or as George Harrison said memorably in Yellow Submarine "its all in the mind!" Although tenacious tackling, meticulous mauling and relentless rucking will help a bit as well!
Thanks to our wonderful supporters both young and old and a special thanks to our roving reporter young Sam Jones who collected all the stats on the opposition for us. Thanks Sam!
The Guildfordian Etihad Airways Curtain Raiser Cup Grand Finalists were:
Dom Ascough, Bo Beynon, Alasdair Bulman, Connor Jones, Finlay McManus, Daniel Michell, Henry Miguda, Georgia Newman, Tom Perceval, Matthew Robertson, Ben Sambrook, Daniel Sumner and Nick Thorn.
Lee Sambrook - U9s Coaching Team