After a fantastic day at Rugby St Andrews we all made it back in one piece.
Firstly, I would like to congratulate you all on how well you all behaved at Rugby St Andrews club house and on the tour of the school. You were all a credit to me and the club. Secondly, how smart you all looked in your shirts and ties.
The rugby we played was superb, the Panthers ran out fairly easy winners in the first game with Alfie scoring his first try and being picked as man of the match, and Ali Shaw also scoring his first try and costing his Dad a round of drinks, the Guiness was superb!
However, the performance of the day for me was by the Pumas. They played against Rugby St Andrews 1st team that contained of 5 under 12's. Whilst they lost (by only one try) they battled for the entire game and in my opinion they were defeated by a lucky try.
The tackling was outstanding with Ollie, the man of the match, leading from the front as captain, although every single player stood up to be counted. Duggie made a number of storming runs and with some great kicking by Joe we played the better rugby. Our pack of Ryan, Sam, Gareth, Ciao and Duggie pushed St Andrews back in the scrums, despite us being about 4 stone lighter. Luke made hard yards from quick tap penalties. The backline of Abu, Alex, Armand and Ashley (who stopped everyone from coming down his wing with a number of big tackles) were magnificent in not letting the bigger under 12's break through. At the end of the match I was nearly in tears (what a big baby), and by the end of our post match team talk my eyes were truly glistening. I am very proud of the entire U11's squad.
Quins Curtain Raiser
On Saturday we took part in the Quins Curtain raiser (we only played on the park at the back of the stoop not on the pitches). The Panthers played very well losing by 1 try to last years' winners Upminster. In the second game we lost 10-5, with Miles scoring his first try for Twickenham, and then crossing the line a second time with the 'try' unfortunately disallowed.
We won the last game against Upminsters B's with Jack H scoring his first try through sheer determination. You should all remember that you can beat skill but you can't beat luck and on this day luck was not with us. But all the mums and dad thought you played brilliantly.
Carwash
On Sunday 24th February we will be holding a fund raising carwash. Can everyone get to the club for 9:30am as we want to be set up and ready to go by 10:00am. If your Mum or Dad has a spare shammy leather then bring it with you and if you're not around then can you let me know. I hope that everyone will take part as the funds we raise pay towards your gifts, ties and end of season trophies.
Coaching
This Wednesday Clive See and a few of his under 17's will be coming down to take a training session. Clive is the head coach of the under 17's, they are the most successful team Twickenham have produced. A large number of his players play for Middlessex and he has also had a lad selected for Wasps and England, which is quite an honour. They have also won the league and cup a number of times. They like us have fairly small players so they have developed great passing and speed, which hopefully they can help to pass onto us. Please try to make the session if you can It will be of great benefit.
Hope to see you all on Wednesday
.
Greg aka Sully
