ÿþ<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> <head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> <title>grasshoppers rfc minis - News</title> <link rel="stylesheet" href="../css/style.css" type="text/css" media="screen" /> <script src="http://www.google-analytics.com/urchin.js" type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript"> _uacct = "UA-1247268-2"; urchinTracker(); </script> </head> <body id="pageNews" class="minis"> <div id="outer"> <div id="header"> <div class="banner"><a href="../joinus.html"><img src="../assets/joinbanner.jpg" alt="join the club" width="386" height="43" border="0" /></a></div> <ul id="nav"> <li id="navHome"><a href="../index2.html">Home</a></li> <li id="navJoinus"><a href="../sponsors.html">Sponsors </a></li> <li id="navNews"><a href="../news.html">Shop</a></li> <li id="navClubhouse"><a href="../clubhouse.html">Clubhouse</a></li> <li id="navGallery"><a href="../gallery.html">Gallery</a></li> <li id="navContact"><a href="../contact.html">Forum</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="breadcrumb"> <i>you are here: <a href="../index2.html">home</a> &gt; <a href="index.html">minis</a> &nbsp;&gt; news</i></div> <div class="navleft"> <ul> <li><a href="../news.html">Club</a></li> <li><a href="../seniors/news.html">Seniors</a></li> <li><a href="../juniors/news.html">Juniors</a></li> <li><a href="../minis/news.html" class="active">Minis</a></li> <li><a href="../netball/news.html" >Netball</a></li> </ul> </div> <div id="contentwide"> <div class="wideboxed"> <h2 class="title">MINIS NEWS 2011/12 Season </h2> <div class="content"> <a name="u07_windsor" id="u07_windsor"></a> <h3>U7 Windsor development festival Report</h3> <p>An early start was had by all as we made our way to Windsor for their inaugural development Festival.</p> <p>In our first match we played Richmond, we started off slowly, but gathered momentum to run out 4-3.<br/> Grasshoppers showed that they had not come along just to make up the numbers. They tagged relentlessly and attacked from all areas of the field.</p> <h4>Richmond 3 Grasshoppers 4</h4> <p>Ben 1 Try<br/> Ellis 1 Try<br/> Eoin 1 Try<br/> Justey 1 Try</p> <p>The next round looked like being a sterner test against a Maidenhead side that had shown a lot of potential in their opening match. Our team had been warned to watch out for their  alleged speedy players but the Grasshoppers team left them stumbling in their wake& <br/> This was a committed performance with everyone playing with desire and determination never allowing their opponents to settle. </p> <h4>Maidenhead 3 Grasshoppers 5</h4> <p>Ben 1 Try<br/> Danyl 2 Tries<br/> Elijah 2 Tries</p> <p>Match 3 was against Windsor and it was clear from the first whistle that both teams were in the correct frame of mind for the match and it started at a frantic pace. Two glorious opportunities to take the lead were wasted when with adrenaline pumping through their systems wrong options were taken when it actually looked easier to score. </p> <h4>Windsor 2 Grasshoppers 4</h4> <p>Danyl 1 Try<br/> Elijah 1 Try<br/> Ben 1 Try<br/> Ellis 1 Try</p> <p>The fourth match was against Sutton and Epsom, and once again the U7 s showed great spirit, but this was a tough game with both teams trading scores, however we capitalised on a mistake they made and went one try up as the whistle blew.</p> <h4>Sutton & Epsom 4 Grasshoppers 5</h4> <p>Danyl 1 Try<br/> Elijah 1 Try<br/> Ben 1 Try<br/> Ellis 1 Try<br/> Monet 1 Try</p> <p>The last match was an eagerly awaited affair, if we win this we win the tournament. Grasshoppers fell two scores behind and there could have been a tendency to drop heads and resign oneself to the loss, but the team never game up and fought back tenaciously to eventually run out 5-3 winners.</p> <h4>Camberley 3 Grasshoppers 5</h4> <p>Danyl 2 Tries<br/> Monet 1 Try<br/> Elijah 2 Tries</p> <p>This was a tournament won by the whole squad  everyone had game time and everyone contributed hugely throughout the day. All those involved must be congratulated on their performance. There is a strong bond amongst the players in this age group, which augurs well for the future.</p> <p>I also want to thank the coaches, Naveen and Jack and our team manager Mandie and all our supporters on the sidelines, fantastic effort guys well done ! </p> <a name="u09_kilburn" id="u09_kilburn"></a> <h3>U9s Triangular Fixture at Kilburn 20th November 2011</h3> <p>We had quite a good turnout with 15 . Kilburn had 12 & Hampstead had 9</p> <p>After a joint warm-up we ran a few drills but with limited Balls & cones we set up a little round robin of games with 9 a side with Hampstead, Kilburn & Grasshoppers fielding a team each & 6 hoppers & 3 Kilburn making up a 4th team.</p> <p>From what we saw in the warm-up, we went for mixed teams with Eddie taking the Grasshoppers team of Adian,Avery,Alex,Callan,Callum,Cian,Hector,Cobe & Sean They ran out easy winners in their 1st game against Hampstead, In their 2nd game against a fiery Kilburn with a lot of good tackling we ended up with a game of a lot of line-outs ,but with Kilburn scoring in the last play Grasshoppers won 2-1 </p> <p>The Barbarian team of Sasha,Joshua,Piers,Ollie,Cormac & Louie with 2 boys & a girl from Kilburn played Kilburn in their 1st game. With some good tackles from all the boys especially Joshua. But after conceding the 1st try they ran out 6-3 winners with try's from Cormac, Joshua, Sasha & 1 from a Kilburn boys.</p> <p>In their 2nd game against Hampstead Sean Dwyer Coached them and they ran out 7-2 winners as I reffed the game between Grasshoppers & Kilburn.</p> <a name="u12_ealing" id="u12_ealing"></a> <h3>Ealing A Festival Report</h3> <h4> Pool Games</h4> <p><strong>Grasshoppers v Teddington B 1 - 1 Tries: Isaiah</strong><br/> G s started with the KO with Ruaidhri and we kept Teddington pinned back in their own half for the opening minutes of the game. The early arrival and serious warm up had paid off. Teddington mounted attack after attack but Grasshoppers defence held with some excellent tackling from Stephen, Joseph O and Finlay but our rucking technique was weaker and Teddington were winning the ball at the breakdown. A knock on, the first scrum; we looked solid and we won the ball. Aaron got the ball away to Caleb, who passed out to Stephen who took on the opposition before passing the ball down the line to Joseph and eventually to Emily, who got caught up in a maul which turned into a ruck just like we had practiced. We looked like we could play and after a few plays neither team managed to make much progress to the goal line. Half time 0 -0 required a small boost of confidence that we could win this game, Teddington had not made much ground even though they probably had more quality ball in the 1st half. Aman caught the ball and made a run forward with support from Alex, Isaiah and Dan, we went to ground and rucked over, 2nd phase much better start. Aaron got the ball away to Caleb, on to Stephen and again to Joseph, who was tackled and Teddington steal the ball but are quickly caught by Ruaidhri and Alex and driven into touch within 5 metres of their own try line. G s lineout, Dan throws down the middle; Isaiah jumps, makes a clean catch and crashes through Teddington s defence and falls over the try line. 5 minutes still to play and more of the same intense rugby and stale mate, Teddington had the stronger rucking technique and frustration set in; we made one mistake  hands in the ruck  Penalty to Teddington. Crash ball and their biggest player burst through Stephen and Isaiah to score. A minute to play but it was deadlock. An excellent result I was pleased with the performance.</p> <p><strong>Grasshopper s vs. Ealing B 7 - 0 Tries: Alex 1, Stephen 2, Ruaidhri 1, Conner 1, Sonny 1, Aman 1</strong><br/>We made some changes to the team from the starting game. Bringing Dan in as hooker and moving Stephen to Scrumhalf, Aaron to Full-back, Ruaidhri in at Centre. Ealing KO straight to Stephen who punish their kick and makes good ground through their defence and across the half way line before offloading to Isaiah who marches forward as a one man maul but he is pushed & pulled toward the touch line. Lineout Ealing but we win the ball; slapped back wildly in the air but it is caught by a safe pair of hands, Stephen who performs a long miss pass to Joseph, and on to Ruaidhri and out to Sam on the wing; it was magical to watch. Sam made the break and beat his opposite number and then cut back inside in an attempt to beat the fullback but is caught and offloads back to Joseph O H who was caught up by Ealing players scrambling back to defend, he stays on his feet. He feels the support of Alex, Aman and Dylan and goes to ground they ruck over pushing Ealing back far better than the last game, the ball is away and Stephen breaks through to score. Ealing KO, they kick straight to Stephen again who punishes the mistake making good ground before being held, goes to ground with support close at hand, we ruck over, secure the ball and recycle. Alex makes a break for the try line. Restart and we move forward again, not to be out done Ruaidhri takes the opposition on and is tackled inches from the try line. 2nd half is more of the same with confidence high Conner scrambles across the line staying low to score taking 5 Ealing players with him. Ealing KO a clean catch by Isaiah, he drives forward but is held up, Ealing rip but then knock on. We have a scrum in mid field at the halfway line, the centres split. The scrum is strong and Stephen makes a break to the left and makes a long pass to Ruaidhri who runs wide to the touch line and then straightens up towards the try line slipping through the tackles to score. Ealing kick off deep and the ball is caught by Sonny almost on our try line, who makes a fantastic individual run through the entire defence, side stepping one way and then the other running the full length of the pitch to score. KO is straight to Stephen who makes a side stepping run but is caught 5 metres short of the line, support arrives but Ealing win the ball but they panic and knock on. Grasshoppers scrum 5 metres from the try line in centre of pitch. The backs spread wide across the pitch in anticipation pulling the defence wide, the ball is in, the scrum holds solid, Dan hooks and the ball and Alex/Sonny work the ball back to Isaiah s feet t the back of the scrum, Stephen looks, picks up and goes straight through almost an opposed. Ealing KO again straight to Ruaidhri who is keen to make a daring run but is caught, support arrives and the ball is recycled to Aman, who makes a run to the right hand corner to score just before the final whistle. Excellent performance. Well Done</p> <p><strong>Grasshopper s vs. London Welsh 6 - 0 Tries: Alex 1, Isaiah 3, Joseph O H 2</strong><br/>There was not much time between the last game and this game. The boys were riding on a high and they were raring to go. Welsh kicked off and Alex was keen to make ground past the halfway line and almost made it to the try line accept for the Referee penalising for excessive barging, although he called it handing off. Welsh did not make much ground and Grasshoppers eventually turned the ball over and Emily was released down the wing only to be pushed into touch inches from the try line. Welsh line out and Alex jumps takes the ball, peals from the lineout and storms through the Welsh defence to score. Welsh kick off and Sonny makes clean catch and tries to make another spectacular run, but is held up, turns and off loads to Ruaidhri who charges forward towering over the smaller Welsh 3/4rds but he too is held up and passes to Alex in support who bursts through 6 defenders and dives for the line only to see the ball slipping away from his grip. Scrum down, Welsh ball, Welsh push and win and kick for touch but the ball goes more sideways than forward. Lineout G s ball 7 metres out, Joe F throws in, Isaiah catches and spins off and heads for the try line to score. G s stay focused and after some wonderful passing and support play, Joseph O makes a wonderful sidestep and darts for the try line to score. 2nd Half - Dan picks up loose ball from the kick off and drives forward with Stephen and Isabel in support, eventually smuggling the ball back to Isaiah who breaks for the try line to score. Welsh KO straight to Isaiah, hungry to score again he charges straight down the right hand touch line with Sonny and Finlay in support but they are not needed and he scores. Welsh totally deflated and G s on a high, we worked and controlled the remaining part of the game, winning phase after phase until Joseph run in another try.</p> <h4>Semi Final</h4> <p><strong></strong>Grasshoppers vs. Hammersmith & Fulham 5 - 1 Try: Isaiah 2, Stephen 1, Sonny 2<br/>Hammersmith KO straight to Isaiah who took one look at the opposition and made his first long run to the try line and with some courageous efforts Hammersmith struggled to stop him but managed just short of the try line, but with Stephen and Dan in close support Grasshoppers ruck Hammersmith off the ball. Stephen picks up the ball and dives for the line to score. H&F KO straight to Isaiah who didn t need a second invitation to run but this time no-one is stopping him. Restart is a good catch by Dylan, who immediately moves forward to take the on the contact but passes out to Sonny in the tackle on the right wing, no time wasted a line race down the touchline to score. H&F kicks off directly to Stephen who makes an individual run and is caught just short of the try line but pops the ball up into the hands of Sonny who goes over to score. Play team work in passing and rucking with Isaiah getting a further try. At half time H&F have injured players and can only field 12(no No.8) we decide to rest Isaiah and Alex for the Final since we are dominating the game at 5  0. The 2nd half is lacking tries but is full of defence tackling by Finlay, Aaron, Isabel and Stephen. An exciting match to watch with G s finally conceding a try to Hammersmith in the last minute.</p> <h4>Final</h4> <p><strong>Grasshoppers vs Old Albanians 1 - 0 Try: Ruaidhri </strong><br/>It was a close contest with both teams playing extremely well. We pulled together with a tight defence with some big tackles against larger kids in Old Albanians team and they did the same. Solid scrums which were never lost against the head and with Grasshoppers only giving away one penalty for handling on the ground but which fortunately did not result in a try against us in the 1st half. Isaiah s devasting runs against other teams earlier in the day were not as effective against Old A s. The support play and rucking was the best any of the spectators had seen from such young players and although the opposition  scrag tackles went unpunished, G s kept up their motivation and desire to score.</p> <p>2nd Half - more of the same  close hard fought contest. Eventually, Isaiah makes a break down the left hand touchline from close to our own try line, past half way line until he is tackled, he off loads to Ruaidhri who makes a break for the try line with 5 players blocking his way trying to push Ruaidhri into touch without success and with a final dive for the line he scores. With 4 minutes left to play it was tense with Old A s throwing everything at us but the defence held strong. In the dying seconds the gaps appeared and Stephen makes a break from his own half to within 10 metres of the try line only to be scragged tackled. The ball goes forward, scrum down, Old A s ball won with ease but 3/4rds put them under pressure holding them in their own half and into touch. Last play the Ref says& get the ball into touch I am thinking& no we give away a penalty &  kick into touch and game is over the ref explains,  you need to run with the ball . Get back 10& rush forward smother the Old A s attack & a knock on - Game over  We are the Champions</p> <p>My thanks to all the boys especially those that were substituted more than others it ws not possible without you You were ALL magnificent, and to all the parents and supporters. Thank you.</p> </div> <div class="more"></div> </div> </div> <div class="separator"><!-- x --></div> <div id="footer"> <p>Copyright 2010 Grasshoppers RFC Designed By<a href="http://www.chimeradesign.co.uk/"target="_blank">Chimera Design Ltd</a><a href="grfcsitemap.html">Site Map</a></p> </div> </div> </body> </html>