Match reports from the Guildfordians Spring Festival 16 March 2008
Summary Under 7s - Rain, Mud and Glory! Under 8's - Festival Winners Under 9s - Festival Winners Under 10s - A Feast-ival of rugby
It was touch and go about whether it would go ahead or not and most groups cut short the pool games early because of the persistent rain, strong cold wind and quagmire of mud that developed - child safety is a priority - but the festival was a huge amount of fun for many youngsters.
At the end of it the U7s, U8s, U9s and U10s were all unbeaten and topping their tables and winning their finals. I'm not sure if that's a full house or a royal flush but it was a proud proud day for the club.
With the Bisons now providing the senior sides at the club there is continuity through to senior rugby and a bright and exciting future for Guildfordians with these youngsters showing such dedication, commitment and skill at such a young age.
A special thank you to the Council for allowing the festival to go ahead, despite the conditions. Key personnel: Antony Makepeace, Club Chairman, Simon Davies, Minis Chairman, David Knight Festival Organiser.
Under 7s - Rain, Mud and Glory!
Well what a day! Spring brings us daffodils, little gamboling lambs, the Easter Bunny and the Guildfordian Rugby Festival. So cue rain, wind and freezing temperatures!
The Tigers had another successful tournment. Did we win? We played 3 games and won 3 scoring masses of tries so almost certainly! It was another fine performance of attacking rugby and rather pleasingly, some great defence.
First match was against Ealing Greens. A well drilled side with an exceptional runner. The difference was that this Tigers side is packed with exceptional runners! David Meerson had a great game, he ran with freedom and had 2 tries disallowed because the ball was not grounded properly - something that he learned quickly to put right, and went on to score a fantastic try in the corner. Our own try machine Tom Perceval bagged 3 tries in that game and went on the pack another suitcase of tries in the next 2 matches. Bo Beynon scored another scorching try in the corner, golden locks flowing from his scrum cap. But Guildfordians did not have it all their own way and required the last play of the game to get the winner!
The second game was against the Battersea Reds. This was an easier game as the Tigers shook off their usual slow start and began to get into their rhythm. Dan Michell scored a spectacular try coming from a wavy run that covered most of the pitch! We weren't sure where he was going and neither were the opposition - but Dan knew - and touched down for a great try. By this stage the mud was getting very clingy - so much so that Oliver Bliss's trousers fell down mid run! He was quick enough in thought to keep the ball alive and we scored another try. Oliver then showed us what he can do when he doesn't have one hand holding his trousers up and scored a storming try! Guildfordians ran out 4 v 2 winners.
The final game was another example of how good the side is when they relax and play. Henry Miguda, and Nelson Pryer had some teriffic runs powering up the wings; Matthew Robertson emerged from under the biggest coat of all time (a coach's I think - surely not his!) and showed us his jinxing style. Georgia Newman impressed with some powerful runs and as usual some excellent tagging. Dom Ascough had a fantastic run, that deserved a try. He sprinted half the pitch and was tagged on the line - but he didn't panic and popped the ball up for his team mates to score again. Finally after having a bit of a strop (!) Ben Sambrook returned to the pitch to score a hat-trick of tries; one a weavy run and another where he was flattened in the corner to emerge covered head to foot in mud - which pleased his Mum no end! Guildfordians ran out 8 v 4 winners to end the day cold but happy.
To finish off the report I must say a massive THANK YOU to ALL parents. From the fantastic AGC team, to the referees (who stepped into the breach at the last moment), from the coaches and pitch marshalls who did a great job in difficult conditions to everybody that kept an eye on and looked after our cold and muddy kids! This club is only as good as the families that give up their time to help and support - thank you everyone for giving up your Sunday on a cold and rainy Spring day. I hope you had a "great time" as well, because despite the conditions, I think the kids did!
Lee Sambrook
v Ealing Greens - won 6:5
v Battersea reds - won 4:2
v Warlinham - won 8:4
Guildfordians Reds under 8’s ran out deserved festival winners this Sunday with some mature play, impressive teamwork and disciplined rugby. It was a solid team performance from start to finish.
The qualifying rounds saw some good rugby from all teams. First on, Guildfordians Reds faced Old Reigatians. Guildfordians ran in eight tries while holding their defensive line, kept one of the strongest attacking sides at bay for much of the match. This first game saw the Reds win 8-5 with tries from nearly all players.
A fixture change saw the Reds playing back to back matches. Guildfordians Yellow’s were the opposition immediately afterwards. The match was tighter than the 6-3 score suggested with the first half lead protecting the win from a strong challenge as the game wore on.
As the weather worsened, the Reds faced a high scoring Pulborough side on a very muddy sloping pitch. Reds won both half’s with a final score of 7-3. Work on the defensive line in training kept a powerful Pulborough attack at bay with much turnover ball. Guildford ran in four tries to Pulborough’s three in a commanding second half performance up a muddy slope.
In the final of the Under Eight’s tournament, Guildfordians Reds faced Ealing Reds in a close contest. The conditions had begun to affect both sides as cold fingers slipped off of tags in many of the tackles. Guildfordians took an early lead after winning turnover ball in open play. Swift work from Hugh on the left wing with some good support play as the team moved down the pitch led to a try in the centre after a flowing five pass move. Ealing fought back with an equaliser despite tenacious defending. From the restart, Katie Davies led the charge and some fast passing saw Guildfordians restore the advantage. The rest of the half was close with turnover ball going both ways. Ealing eventually capitalised on an opening to level the half at 2-2.
A tactical substitution at half time ensured Katie would still be able to write at school tomorrow. Guildfordians restarted with a fast three-pass interchange and powerful run from Henry Webb to score in the right hand corner. Ealing were not to be outdone and attacked across the pitch, but the disciplined Guildfordians defence left them nowhere to go. A seven tag turnover from the restart gave advantage back to Guildfordians. Alec Lloyd-Seed received the pass and drew Ealing’s defence as he ran straight at the opposition only to leave them in his wake with a side step powering on to score in the corner after a 40-yard run.
A clash of heads forced a change onto Guildfordians but the team maintained its shape. Ealing eventually ran in a try to bring the score to 4-3, but it was too late and the match was won.
Both teams must be commended for such a sporting display in poor conditions at the end of a very cold day.
Our thanks go to all players, parents and helpers for making the event such a success.
Match report by John Webb
Head Coach Simon Hinckley
With 17 teams taking part on a wet and windy day it was always going to be difficult for the U9's to come out winners. We were armed with a full squad, much confidence, and no shortage of enthusiam, and we were going to need all three to compete with the strong opposition.
We were first to play and faced a hard game against Battersea who, on another day, had held us to a 0-0 draw. But today was to be different as the team were out for revenge. We made a slow start (again!) but were good enough to gain control with superior tackling, a determined defence and insatiable attack. We eventually wore them down and Tom Nicole was able to break free to score our opening try and settle a few nerves. Our confidence grew and after pinning them in their own half Joe Sambrook was able to touch the ball down for our second and final try of the game. Final score 2-0. It was a great victory and a good indication that the team has progressed during the course of the season.
Our second game was against Bracknell, another strong club. We started at great pace, tackling fiercly and mauling well, giving us plenty of possession and opportunities to score. As a good team should, we took those opportunites and Tom Nicole managed to add another two tries to his name before Toby Marsh picked the ball out of a maul and ran 10 metres before diving over the line to score a try, carrying two Bracknell players with him! The second half performance was even better, with a good display of rucking and mauling from the whole team, being epitomised by Toby Howarths try as he broke down the blind side and over the line for his first try. This wasn't enough to satisfy him, so after winning the ball in our own half he put his head down and ran, bouncing people off him as he went but staying in control to cross the line for a fantastic try. We all looked at each other with smiles all over our faces, but none were as big as Tobys who, quite rightly, was thrilled. The game was finished off with Matt Wells making one of his powerful runs and going over for our 6th and final try, the final score 6-0.
We were given a bye in our third game as the opposition had decided enough was enough and gone home.
The final game was against Old Alleynians. We had lost a couple of players to the conditions but still proved too strong for them. It was a very close game with few opportunities to score, but we played the match in their half putting them under tremendous pressure until finally Matt Wells broke through to score the only try of the match to give us a 1-0 victory.
With all the pool games complete and many teams having left it was agreed that the the winner would be decided on the results of the pool games.
The Guildfordian team was the only team to remain undefeated without conceding a try, having scored more tries than any other team in the event. Another impressive victory for the U9's who remain unbeaten in the four festivals we have entered so far, bring on the next one.
The team was Tom Nicole, Morgan Holden, Toby Marsh, Imogen Harms, Toby Howarth, Jack Baldwin, Henry Stevens, Harry Kitchener, Jack Beynon, Jack Lillistone, Joe Sambrook and Matt Wells.
Mike Holden
Head Coach
Under 10s - A Feast-ival of rugby
It as cold; it was wet; it was windy but what a day for the Guildfordians Rugby club!
Over 1200 children were on Stoke Park as Gilly the Guildfordian, named by U8’s player Katie Davies, was unveiled as the club’s new mascot.
Gilly visited as many teams as he could from Surrey, London and Sussex to wish them good luck and to encourage them to uphold the club’s values of good sportsmanship and fair play. He was wonderfully received by children of all age groups and clubs and clearly his presence had a fantastic effect on the home side.
At the end of the day the Guildfordians recorded tournament wins in the U7s, U8’s, U9’s and, pictured here, the U10’s. A remarkable achievement for the whole club and credit must go to all those parents, coaches and children who made the day absolutely unforgettable.
The 1st of the pool matches for the U10’s was against Ealing, a team that we had not played against for a few years. The game started off evenly but then the Guildfordians pressure took it’s toll with George Mason (Prop) rolling off of the back of a maul to score our 1st try. In the 2nd half George Mason then ran in another try, soon after a line out close to the Ealing line saw a well executed move all George to score his 3rd try for this hatrick. Finally Matthew Davies (Flyhalf) broke though the Ealing defensive in a well executed move with Tudor Forbes (Prop) to score the final try making the score 4 – 0 to Guildfordians.
The 2nd match was against the Warlingham Barbarians, Guildfordians took early control of the game winning 6 – 0. Trys were from Tudor Forbes, George Mason, Matthew Davies plus a few more unfortunately due to the rain I can’t remember the names.
The 3rd match was against Old Reigations with Old Reigations taking an early lead, Guildfordians fought back hard and Matthew Davies scored the equaliser for the game to finish as a 1 – 1 draw. This was a hard match as both teams were very evenly matched.
The final pool game was against Pullborough, again Guildfordians commanded the match from start, Pullborough defended well but despite their best efforts Hugo Squires (Scrumhalf) scored 1 try, Tudor Forbes scoring 2 break away trys, Fred Saunders (Wing) scoring 1 and Matthew Davies scoring 1 try. Guildfordians won the match 5 - 0
The Guildfordians U10’s team made the finals which were against Battersea who are old rivals. Guildfordians in the 1st half soon took control over the game with Hugo Squires baffling the Battersea defensive running in 2 good trys. Tudor Forbes then scored the 3rd try for Guildfordians. After half time Battersea came back stronger than ever and soon scored another try. Guildfordians sealed the game with a try from Harry Crabtree (winger) making Guildfordians the winner of the U10’s 4 – 2.
Guildfordians U10’s had 2 teams entered in the Festival, all the players in the squad played some exceptional Rugby, the likes of which we had not witnessed before, it is very encouraging for the future. A very big well done to all of the players in what can only be described as some very trying conditions.
Report by Simon Foulkes
Guildfordians R played 5 and the results were as follows:
V Ealing R - 4:0
V Barbarians - 6:0
V Old Reigatians - 1:1
V Pulborough - 5:0
V Battersea Reds - 4:2