Match Report for Sunday 03rd February

On a very cold and windy Sunday morning, the Grasshoppers u12’s turned up in good numbers to face Hammersmith & Fulham at home. Unfortunately they turned up with about 5-6 players and a mixed u11 squad, so the Hoppers u11’s had the benefit of training with them.

As some of the parents and Callum (who was injured last week, but came along to watch this week) braved the wind to shield behind the equipment shed, we set to organise our players into defending and attacking at the rucks and mauls. With good numbers, we nearly had two full teams and were able to put into practice the game related rucking situation we had practiced. Besides a few bumps and cold hands, a good session was had by all. We are training at home again this Sunday and look forward to even better numbers as we prepare for the second round of the championships.

Middlesex Championships – Round One Teddington – 18th November 2007

U12 B Team Teddington 28                Grasshoppers 0
Grasshoppers 14         Saracens 14

On Sunday the B team travelled to Teddington for their first two championship games.

The first game was Teddington against Saracens and we saw two strong well drilled teams playing a well contested game that went to Saracens 14 points to 12. Grasshoppers then played Teddington. We started brightly keeping possesion for long periods but not easily breaking the Teddington line. Our pack was scumming very well and the rucking could have been off the training field.We got to loose ball quickly and were playing well as a unit especially playing tight through the centre. The tries when they came for Teddington were when they played fast ball wide and they had a couple of strong and fast wingers who evaded out tackles to score wide. The final score flattered Teddington as it was a well contested game and the last try came  very late. Sadly Billy twanged his hamstring towards the end of the game so we were down to 13.

Grasshoppers vs Saracens

Saracens came into this game expecting to beat us after the last game score but soon realised that we had picked up a gear and started the game fiercely. Again we controlled the middle of the park we even turned over Sarecen scrums. The forwards took the game to Saracens releasing well to Jude, who had his best game at srum half, who fed Rikki and then onto Callum and Ale. Our two centres wreaked havoc when they had the ball, excellent runs with support always around. We were getting our tackles in right across the park with Feargal and Aisling both getting great tackles in. Saracens scored first but we stormed back with a try in the corner from Callum after a lovely jinking run.Half time and it was 7 each. We started the second half the better side and after awesome work from the forwards driving up the field Callum burrowed through for our second try and we were ahead.  We played with tremendous passion getting lots of tackles in to keep the game tight. Saracens showed some anxiety kicking the ball long but AJ showed great full back skills catching assuredly and running the ball right back at them, breaking the gain line and releasing to teammates. Our kicking was good, Rikki scored both conversions and provided a lovely cross park kick, Jude chipped the defensive line on one occasion and was unlucky to lose the ball after collecting. Michael, Morgan and Rhys played well as a front row all making surging runs and getting tackles in. James was at his determined best ripping balls from the competiton and Luke played with focus and aggression and Johhny rucked ball back every time. More than that they looked like a pack working well together. Three minutes to go and we  temporarily lost concentraion after a penalty was awarded to Saracens, they took advantage, and rolled a maul over for a late score to even up the game. It felt like a point lost.

Final score  Grasshoppers 14        Saracens 14

The team should be really well pleased with their performance and they were praised by the Saracens coach who commened them on their second game performance, a nice touch. Our best wished to Billy for a speedy recovery.

4 November 2007 - Grasshoppers “B” Festival

A full squad of 18 players came to play at the festival on Sunday. The squad included 5 players who had never played in a competitive fixture before and all of the squad were learning to play in new positions and with new partners.

In our first game against Finchley we started slowly and the whole team seemed to struggle to get used to the speed of the game. Our performance improved in the second half but we couldn’t catch up the scores conceded at the beginning. The final score was Finchley 3, Grasshoppers 1.

Our second game was against Kings. Everyone agreed that this was the largest and physically strongest under 12 team we have played against. Our forwards couldn’t cope with their physical strength in the scrum, ruck and maul or their height at the line-out. Consequently we were unable to gain or keep possession of the ball and King’s were able to drive their ball forward to score. The final score was King’s 5, Grasshoppers 0. This score is not a fair reflection of the effort, courage and skill our players showed in the face of much stronger opposition.

Our last game was against Hammersmith and Fulham. Their forwards were a good match for ours and much of the game was spent with the ball being pushed backwards and forwards over the half way line. Grasshoppers were rewarded with a try for the most creative passage of play when our backs passed quickly down the line from a ruck for our winger to score. The game ended Grasshoppers 1, Hammersmith and Fulham 1.

Our players learnt a great deal at this festival. They improved in all areas of the game, concentration, effort, skills and coordination as the day progressed. Let’s hope we can start the next game the way we finished the last.

Bank of England Sunday 21st October

Well done to everyone for another excellent turnout. Over 25 players made the trip through the park to play rugby in summery sunshine.

Unfortunately our hosts did not have as many players to draw on as us and so there were only 7 players from the Bank of England Club.

We all enjoyed a group warm up and training session before organising the match. The match was played between Grasshoppers best 13 and a side made up of  7 players from BOE  and 6 from Grasshoppers. Grasshoppers forwards were too strong and well coordinated for their makeshift opposition. Despite some valiant tackling and defence from the home side Grasshoppers scored 6 tries without any reply and the game was ended with the score at 30-0.

Well done to all of the players who were asked to play for BOE. We understand that no-one wants to play for the other side. All of our players accepted their role without arguing and made an effort to do their best for the opposition. The coaches from bank of England were impressed with your attitude and sportsmanship and we were proud of the way you behaved.

A short second game was then arranged to allow Grasshoppers B team an opportunity to play together. This was a much closer contest, with both sets of players gaining useful experience.

Ealing Festival Sunday 14th October

With 4 days to go we were struggling to put one team together, much less the two teams we had entered and after receiving the dreaded text message relaying that yet another player was unavailable, I began to wonder if we would even make it to the Ealing Festival. The previous Sunday saw only 19 of an expected 27 players turn up for training which meant we had to change to Plan B and call for an extra training session on Saturday to try and ‘gel’ the teams. After visiting Year 7 rugby training sessions at Isleworth & Syon and much canoodling up to the parents on Saturday, I managed to recruit 3-4 new players, two of whom were present on Sunday. Sue, thank you for your sterling effort in contacting everyone. We eventually turned up on a very sunny Sunday at Ealing with 27 players, albeit lacking 5 shirts, a pair of shorts, 2 gumshields and 2 pairs of boots!

If I tried to describe every hi and low we had, the match report would resemble War and Peace in length! Just about everyone in the team played well and it was noticeable to mention how well our forwards played – scrummaging and rucking well. The backs did get their chances, matching the forwards with a try with some slick passing.

We did however, look short in many departments, uneasy in general and lacking in the aggression to survive in this top flight competition. The teams we played were well drilled, creative and closed down the game and stopped us playing. Although we didn't play badly, the teams didn't look like they had gelled.

However, both teams dug deep and improved with each game, defended well and revealing the real spirit and depth of the squad. And despite the defeats on this first Festival of the season, there were plenty of positive signs to take from the games with plenty more to come. Well done to Will and Ricky who played their first club rugby.

A’s – Lost to Ealing 20-5; Lost to Harpenden 10-0; Won against Ruislip 0-5 and Lost to Shannon 15-0.
B’s – Lost to Ealing 30-0; Lost to Shannon 25-0 and Lost to Ruislip 20-0.

1st Team Match Report for Sunday 30th September

Grasshoppers 5 Finchley 0

The sun shone on Finchley on Sunday rewarding all of those who came to play or support the team with a morning more like June than October. The whole group should congratulate itself on another excellent turnout, taking 25 players on an away fixture shows great strength and commitment throughout the squad.

After a short warm-up and some last-minute organisational training we went straight into the first game, both sides fielding their strongest thirteen.

The sides were evenly matched, both having alert and well organised defences which closed down the space and left little scope for attacking runs or creative passing. Grasshoppers forwards were slightly stronger and better organised, their superiority at scrum, ruck and maul allowed us to play most of the first 15 minutes in the Finchley half despite playing uphill.

In the second half, playing downhill, our forwards continued to apply pressure, and the backs remained alert and well organised. Finchley seemed to tire more quickly than Grasshoppers and after 10 minutes a strong run from Tristan forced two missed tackles and he powered over for the only try of the match. Finchley responded by increasing their work rate which caused panic in our defence in the closing minute, with their best attempt at scoring only just prevented by Jan alertly touching the ball down in the in goal area in the nick of time to save
the try.

2nd Team Match Report for Sunday 30th September

Grasshoppers 0 Finchley 28

After a short break both sides fielded the remainder of their squads.

The newly assembled Grasshoppers team needed longer to settle down and get organised than the Finchley players some of whom were still switched on from the game before. Finchley’s better organised forwards forced our defence to be sucked in too narrow which repeatedly left gaps on the wings. Finchley exploited the gaps and ran in and converted three trys before half time.

We were concerned how the match would end when the second half began with Grasshoppers running up hill for the second period. All of the Grasshoppers in that match should be proud of the way they played in the second period. They increased their effort, concentration and applied the instructions they were given at half time. They conceded one more try after an interception having spent most of the time in Finchley’s half and finished the game matching their opponents for effort and skill.

We all learnt many lessons from our first game of the season. Next week we are training at home, I hope to see you all there to build on this week’s experience.

New Season Training

We started the season with some fun fitness training and it was good to see you all.

Our sessions are structured and fun, while taking into account the different levels of our players. The rugby ball is not the only ball that gets passed around, as the first week saw the players throwing and catching tennis balls – focussing the players on the importance of a good ‘pass’ and catch. We also had a game of tug of war which everyone enjoyed and asked if we could do that every week – what a great way to build stamina and strength in the legs and everyone was certainly warmed up!

Come and join in the fun!

Contact: Mamita on 07811 331030

Grasshoppers U11’s – Canoeing in Richmond

After a fantastic season, which saw our Under 11's the winners of our own ‘B’ Festival and joint winners of the RFU Middlesex Plate Festival, we were in a mood to party, and what better way of celebrating than messing about on the water!

On Sunday 15th July, twenty-three U11 players made it and though it was a wet day, it certainly did not dampen our spirits. The parents brought picnics and looked on, while the players went out in two teams on the river, for some, the experience was a first. As well as team rowing, they all had an opportunity to go out in a single canoe in small groups. A thoroughly good time was had by all, thanks to the Richmond Rowing Club and Malcolm, who managed to organise the afternoon for us.

Well done everyone for a fantastic season!

Mamita Woodward
Lead Coach

NEW Middlesex U12 County Championship

Concept.

It is felt that the U12 age group would benefit from a new county competition, which better suits the transition from mini to junior rugby. Many have commented upon the unsuitability of festival rugby at U12, with short games on small pitches. The Championship is particularly relevant with the introduction of a 13th player for U12 teams from the start of the 2006/7 season.

It has been agreed to replace the Middlesex A festival, for the U12 age group, with a new competition for the 2007/8 season.

Schedule.

Key dates as follows:

• Draw: 10th September.
• Autumn Round: Sunday 18th November 2007.
• Spring Round: Sunday 2nd March 2008.
• Final: Sunday 16th March 2008

Championship Format.

Broadly the competition will involve two rounds, which will be:
Triangular, playing 2 x 30min games.
Results of the Autumn & Spring rounds will be used for qualification for the finals.
The Final day will consist of:
The top four teams will contest the Semi-Final & Final.
Runner-up Plate/Bowl groups will also be arranged.

Your Entry.

Entry is open to all Middlesex Clubs. To enter you need to do the following.
1. Agree to participate on ALL three dates.
2. Agree to host a group if drawn to do so.
3. Provide one referee.

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