UNDER 11s MINIS RUGBY

2009/10 Season NEWS

Under 11’s at the Twickenham 7’s Festival: 25.04.2010

We were placed into the Bs competition and had Staines and Twickenham in our pool games.

Grasshoppers 5  v   Staines 1

We had already seen Staines beat Twickenham so knew that a win here would give a great opportunity to get through to the semi finals. We started strongly and the team enjoyed the extra space that 7s provides. We had picked a team for mobility and speed and this paid off as Staines still had a blend of strength and speed so when we had space we ran at them. Two tries each for Oscar and Tom O’Halloran and a try from Jack F secured the win with only a single try scored against.

Grasshoppers 8  v   Twickenham  0

Again our mobility, speed and excellent ball work gave us the opportunities to spread the ball wide and run around the opposition. Two tries each for Ben G, Tom O and a try from George G rounded off by three tries for Oscar, though 2 scored after we had the 6 try advantage as Twickenham bravely wanted to continue. We were through as group winners.

Grasshoppers 5  v   Harrow 1

The semi-final promised to be a tougher affair as I had refereed Harrow in the other pool and they were strong with a couple of fast runners. We played Sammy to counteract some of the strength in their forwards. This was more of a contact game as the Harrow players were big tacklers and when their forwards got the ball they drove well, our forwards did excellently to compete and more than often win ball and as players got pulled in to the contact areas Ben F was able to either break free himself or create space and then release our runners. Three tries for Oscar and two for Tom O secured the win but again our defence was superb and the support running fantastic.

Grasshoppers 8  v   Saracens 1

Another inspired start against a strong Saracens team and we were quickly into our stride. The first half was all Grasshoppers. A mix of long kick offs and quick runners meant they were defending their own try line from kick offs and really got little momentum or the occasional short one we could immediately compete for. Tries from Tom O, George G, Oscar and Sammy meant we went into the break 4 – 1 up. We were able to ring some changes in the second half and went on to score another four tries from George, Ben G and two more from Tom O, including a beautiful switch move that pulled Saracens fist one way then the other leaving a huge gap for Tom to exploit. Ben F played one of his best scrum half games of the season and all the players should feel pleased with themselves for an excellent win and a great way to finish the season.

Grasshoppers U11s Twickenham 7s winners 2010

Staines Festival 18.04.10

Barnes  v   Grasshoppers

Barnes had arrived with only 9 players so they conceded the game giving us 4 points for the win.

They were keen however to get some game time so we agreed to play a 9 a side game which ended up as a draw with one try a piece, our try scored by Tom O’Halloran.

London Welsh 5  v   Grasshoppers 5

Two well matched sides with London Welsh getting the best of the first half and an early score with a burst through try that we very nearly held up. We battled on but the forwards could not get the ball out to the backs with any space and there was a series of rolling mauls as both sides tried to rip ball from the opposition. Eventually some space found by Ben Gerrard who scored to level the game. We ended the game defending strongly.

Grasshoppers 5  v   Bracknell B's 5

Again 2 well matched sides, at this stage we knew that a win would bring us through as group leaders, if we scored 3 or more tries. Bracknell defence was resolute shutting out our backs from breaking the gain line time and time again and when they scored mid way through the second half it was looking like an early finish for Grasshoppers. A long kick off from Jack F which was caught by the Bracknell full back pretty close to their try line allowed us to close down and apply some good pressure next to the try line. A panicky clearance kick went sideways and Tom O competed well in the air catching the ball for the levelling try. A final flourish saw George E  burst free right at the end but his power run was pushed into touch and we had to settle for second place in the group.

Middlesex Festival 21.03.10

Grasshoppers 5    Finchley 0

First game of the festival and we actually started strongly which was an improvement on other festivals. It was a keenly contested game with lots of strong tackling and some excellent rucking. Grasshoppers crossed the line four times but 1 try not given for a foot in touch and 2 because the referee could not see the ball grounded as rolling mauls drove across the line. It was looking like a frustrating outcome but with a 5 metre scrum to our advantage the forwards drove on again and some strong running by Tom Formby allowed him to score with the last play of the game. The conversion was missed.

Grasshoppers 28    Wasps 0

This was Wasps B team and we quickly exerted our dominance with Tom O catching kick off ball and running straight back at them to score. Another quick score from Oscar and things were looking ominous for Wasps, however they steadied themselves and exerted some excellent pressure. Some ball handling errors prevented us scoring again in the first half and if Jake had not gathered in the ball behind the try line we might have conceded. The second half opened up a little with a further try from Oscar and 2 from George and a memorable weaving run from Emelia that was brought up just a little short. All conversions taken successfully.

Rosslyn Park 30     Grasshoppers 0

By topping out mini league we had qualified for the Championship quarter finals and were now in the knockout phase of the competition. Rosslyn Park were a strong, disciplined and well drilled side, we knew this and selected a team that would tackle. However despite loads of excellent tackling across the team Rosslyn Park always had at least one support runner to get to the ball first so they kept the ball live and passed it fluently. Although we had a few chances with a couple of nice runs from Tom and Oscar and one excellent kick off deep into space that nearly went to Bens hands we were well beaten by a better side and lost 6 tries.

Staines 10  v   Grasshoppers 5

This was the semi final and by coming in as runners up in our group we drew Staines who had won their group easily. Again a very forwards dominated game and with the hard ground it was no wonder that the boys were reluctant to go to ground early. Staines got the better of the mauls and where able to create some space by pulling in our players resulting in 2 tries. Right at the end Ben Francis nipped in for a consolation try and our day was done. Staines went on to win the final by a single score and the low margin of victories in all the games was a testament to both the overall quality and the how well matched these teams were.

vs Finchley 21st February 2010

Visit of Finchley

Though we had expected a triangular with Finchley and Enfield only Finchley turned up. As it was the end weekend on half term we were also light on players with only 12 on the day.

It was a wet day on a muddy pitch so we did a fairly quick warm up and went straight into games. As Finchley had brought about 20 players we agreed to play a series of shorter games.

Grasshoppers 5     Finchley 5

The first game was reasonably balanced. Finchley had a stronger pack and won a lot of loose ball. It was inevitably a forwards move that led to their try. Our defence was excellent with a number of try saving tackles close to our line and eventually after good turn over ball some strong running from our backs allowed Tom O to cross the line for an equalising try.

Grasshoppers 0     Finchley 21

The second game was also a close run game. Two forward driven moves from Finchley interspersed with a cheeky straight run by their scrum half directly from a scrum gave them 3 tries, all converted. Grasshoppers did play well but strong Finchley defence ultimately kept Grasshoppers out.

Grasshoppers 0     Finchley 0

Grasshoppers were tiring by the time we played out third game and having lost Ben F we took a loan player from Finchley. Again a very tight game with lots of tackles going in. Jake played an excellent game not only taking the ball into contact but also making tackles which counted. An excellent contribution from the loan player who made a try saving tackle and the game eventually ended scoreless.

vs Staines 14th February 2010

Grasshoppers 20     Staines 15

A game of three halves as we used all our squad in rotation. This was once again a strongly contested and fairly matched game between two reasonably equally skilled teams.

We scored first and Staines equalised and this was the pattern right up to the final play when George G went over for the winning try, adding a previous one for him and to two by Oscar.

vs London Scottish 8th November 2009

Grasshoppers 19     London 10

A much improved day, after last weeks downpour. London Scottish brought a squad of 18 so we had some warm up games together and also respected the 2 minutes silence.
We then played a game. The two teams were reasonably well balanced and the first half was very tight with a number of half chances to both sides. Once again Grasshoppers allowed the opposition to score first though the quality of tackling and rucking was showing continuing improvements. London Scottish missed their conversion so they went into the break just 5 points ahead.

In the second half we changed some personnel around to ensure everyone got game time. We started very strongly, after a series of good supported runs and good ball recycling Tom O scored, but we too missed the conversion.

Continuing the good momentum another forwards dominated series of rolling mauls got us in sight of the Scottish line and Oscar burrowed over and then went on to convert, so a 7 point lead opened up. A third try with excellent running and a score in the corner from Tom O and another conversion made the game safe. However in the last play of the game London Scottish went over for a well deserved try.

Grasshoppers B Festival 1st Nov 2009

Finchley 10     Grasshoppers 5

A very wet and windy day with some teams pulling out late there was an element of confusion around the fixtures for the whole day.
Despite a warm up and getting out heads ready for the game we soon found ourselves a try down. A quick throw in to the front of the lineout and a determined run by a big strong forward who we failed to tackle allowed Finchley a first half lead.
We came out better in the second half quickly getting a score back with good running and support. Tom O scored. We were pressing hard on the Finchley line but not getting the breakthrough due to strong defence. A hopeful kick down field was caught by Tom who was tackled earll and whilst injured a Finchley back simply picked up the loose ball and ran in for a late game winning try.

Grasshoppers 5     Twickenham 5

A bit of a hectic start with some of our players still in the club house. A slightly unfamiliar line up allowed Twickenham to exploit some space and score mid way through the first half. We came back strongly and although we crossed the line at the end of the first half the referee did not see the ball grounded.
Again a good second half with a determined run by Oscar getting a score back but not enough to grab a winner.

Grasshoppers 0     Teddington 10

Final game of our group and we were on field,ready and waiting for some period before the opposition.
Teddington were a strong, disciplined and well positioned side. We rarely got aqay with ball in hand as the tackles were well made and stuck. They competed well in rucks and mauls and dominated the scrum in the first half. We went into the interval 2 tries down.
Some re-jigging of our scrum at half time resolved the scrum issue and as a result we were getting better quality ball in the second half. We pressed hard but agin could not quite break the last tackle to get a score, but a good performance in second half.

Teddington went on to win the trophy beating Ealing in the final by a single try.
So as a comment on the day we were not far off with all games fairly tight. If there was one key difference it would be in our tackling was weaker than that of opposition teams.

Visit of Bank of England 18th October 2009

Grasshoppers 12   Bank of England 19

Bank of England arrived with a big squad of over 20 kids. They warmed up separately and then we pulled together four teams of about 10 for a couple of games running in parallel. Grasshoppers teams varied from 7 to 10 as we got injuries and pull outs and both of these sessions were won by Bank of England, though both were fairly well balanced.

With the bigger numbers we decided to play 15 a side on a full pitch, treating flankers as loose running forwards. Using a full sized pitch was a real test of stamina but was good to give players a sense of space and team set up.
A strongly contested first half with most of the action in the Grasshoppers end saw Bank of England go ahead with a converted try.
In the second half Grasshoppers applied a lot of pressure, twice pushing over the line but not grounding and a touch down by Jack Fullicks who had just stepped into touch was disallowed so when Ben Francis eventually burrowed in for try it was deserved. We missed the conversion.

As the game approached the last 4 minutes a try by Oscar and a conversion had Grasshoppers ahead for the first time. However shortly after some sharp and very well supported wide running by Bank of England secured a late try and with the conversion missed it looked like it was running out to be a draw. With only 1 minute left on the clock Grasshoppers kicked off but the ball was well caught and run straight back at us again very well supported wide running meant that even with good tackles coming in Bank of England always had the overlap and crisp handing saw them score at the end and with a conversion ran out as clear winners.

A visit of High Wycombe - 11th October 2009

Grasshoppers 10 High Wycombe 15

After a shared warm up and training session we started the planned two games with squads of just under 20 each, Predictably we started slowly and High Wycombe ran in three tries in the first half with strong running and powerful forward play.

The second half we got into our game with better tackling and defence to keep High Wycombe out. We managed to score twice, both tries from Oscar Goodenough, but ran out of time to get an equaliser. A good robust game with two reasonably well matched sides.

Grasshoppers 10 High Wycombe 0

For the second game we rang the changes so everyone who had sat out the first game played. Tom M and Adam played well as second row forwards which suggests we are developing some depth in these positions now and the first half was a good contest with both sets of forwards competing well but no score.

In the second half some better ball allowed the backs some quality possession and two tries, one from Oscar and one from Tom O’ ensured a well fought victory

A visit to London Welsh - 3rd October

London Welsh 10     Grasshoppers 0

After an excellent shared warm up with both London Welsh and a visiting Rosslyn Park team we had our first competitive game of the season. We started slowly and although we played well London Welsh scored two breakaway trys, breaking tackles as they ran with width. The second half led to a better performance by Gs and we pressured their line but the quality of their defence kept us out.

Rosslyn Park Barbarians 0     Grasshoppers 31

Rosslyn Park had travelled with nearly two teams so they made up a team with some London Welsh players. We quickly exploited the lack of familiarity this team had and Tom O scored an early try to settle the nerves. A missed conversion followed. Tom then scored again and Jack scored his first try for the team before half time with both trys converted by George G. The second half was also rather one sided with another try from Tom and a try from George with another conversion. An excellent all round performance with all 16 players who travelled having game time and performing to their best.

UNDER 11s LAWS

• 12 a-side – 5 forwards, 7 backs. Match squads of 15.
• Mini rugby with contact.
• Size 4 rugby ball.
• Maximum pitch size is 60 metres x 43 metres, plus 5 metres for each in-goal area.
• 20 minutes each way – no longer than 40 minutes.
• Scrum – 3 player front row and 2 second row locks binding around hips.
• Offside line (Scrum) – Scrum half behind the hindmost foot of scrum until the ball is out.
• Lineout (Contested) – 2-4 players lineout between 2 metres and 7 metres from the touchline, 5th player throws in. Quick throw is not allowed.
• Offside line (lineout) – 10 minutes from line of touch.
• No hand offs, fend offs, scrag tackles or barging.
• Maximum of 14 fixtures and 3 festivals.
• Mouthguards and shinpads mandatory.
• Under 10s and under 11s may play together utilising the under 10 mini contact format. No under 10 child may play with under 12s or above in any circumstances.
• Under 11s and under 12s may play together utilising the mini contact format.

Download the official RFU rules (PDF format / 76KB)