U8's went on their travels so they could all get a game

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Last weekend the U8’s went their separate ways….fear not Simon and Eric had not had a tiff, but Datchworth could only give us 1 pitch and no guarantee of more than the scheduled fixture. A hastily arranged fixture at Welwyn was organised.
The Tigers and Lions were mixed up to ensure that a balanced side was sent to both places. Match reports below.
This weekend is training. Plan is to start at 10.30 so please arrive by 10.15 to be tagged and ready to go at 10.30. Next weekend, Leighton Buzzard are due to visit. Please let me know if you cannot make it (I think Joseph Wilkinson and Jonathan have already said that they cannot make it – if that is not the case please let me know)

Charlie Morris Competition - Datchworth - 24th Feb 2008

The annual competition for the Charlie Morris Trophy saw Hitchin compete against Datchworth and Welwyn. The club who scored the most tries ends up being crowned the winner. The squad of players was a mix of Lions and Tigers.

Hitchin 8 Datchworth 8
We started the game off but Datchworth won the ball back quite quickly and scored. However, Jordan soon equalised following a strong run from Sam. Tries went with play, Hitchin playing catch up. Our second was started with a storming run from Harry L, who passed out to Alfie who was unmarked to finish. Rhian and Niall made a couple of quick blasts down the wing but unfortunately they were stopped by Datchworth. Sam scored the third with an individual side stepping move through the Datchworth defenders and after some continued Hitchin pressure, Harry L got the ball over the line to make it all even at 4 each at half time. Two tries each from Joseph and Alfie in the second half put us ahead for a while. Both Joseph and Alfie scored an individual one each and the others came from some good team work from Harry L, Sam and Jordan, with Pippa and Daniel making a valuable contribution to the defensive work. However, Datchworth snatched a last minute equaliser to earn a fair draw.

Hitchin 5 Welwyn 8
We were outplayed in this game from the start by a well organised Welwyn team. However, considering our team was a team of varying skills and experience, we didn't do too badly.
Alfie got our first with his usual style and got the second as a result of great support play to Sam , who had taken the ball nearly the length of the pitch but was tagged just short of the try line. The half time score was 4 - 2 to Welwyn. Alfie got his hat trick, with some superb dodging around the Welwyn defence, he was unstoppable. Niall got himself well positioned on the end of a move involving Alfie, Harry and Sam and scored our fourth. Finally, Joseph took a lovely pass from Alfie to score the fifth.

Hitchin visit to Welwyn
Game 1
Welwyn 7 Hitchin 3
Game 2
Welwyn 9 Hitchin 4
Game 3
Welwyn 6 Hitchin 3

A good performance from Hitchin, with some excellent tagging, against a very well organised Welwyn side. In all 3 games we played much better in the second half - it was as though we needed the first half to warm up! Either that or it was the half time team talk from Mark. We did not record the try scorers, if you scored a try please let me know.

Coach's Comments

This week we split the squad and sent half to Datchworth and half to Welwyn.

We decided to mix the players up, so each squad had varying levels of experience and skills.

We felt this was an opportunity for the experienced players to show leadership and responsibility. Feedback from both fixtures were that this was taken on board and thank you (you know who you are) for the positive (loud!!) communication to the less experienced players in the teams.

For the less experienced players this was the opportunity, close up, to see the skill standards we are looking to develop. You all showed lots of effort and I hope you felt this was a worthwhile experience - Simon and I certainly did.

At both venues we were up against very strong clubs and players - Welwyn are the current county champions, so it was always going to be tough!!

That said there were lot's of positives; strong running and good support play. At Datchworth we worked, in the warm up, at SUPPORT AT SPEED, beating a defender and then offloading a pass - we'll work more on this on Sunday.

Our defensive play was good at times, we just need to remember to PUSH UP against the attacking side and make sure we GET THE TAG!!

Also we must remember to SPREAD OUT and defend OUR CHANNELS and not chase the ball around - let the attackers come to you!

Overall, lots of effort so thank you very much and well done.

Player of the week for me was an easy choice this week; this is Joe Waterhouse's first season playing rugby and on Sunday his first chance at being captain (against Welwyn.) Throughout the season Joe has shown lots of commitment and effort to developing his rugby skills and becoming a team player. The delight on his face when he achieves successes makes it worthwhile being a coach. On Sunday he raised his game and upon being made captain was straight into the action - perhaps helped by winning the toss - and grabbed the first tag of the match, stopping a very well drilled Welwyn team in their tracks.
Joe, I am delighted at your rugby development this year and so this award is very well deserved.

This Sunday is training - contact and tag - so makes sure you do your exercises (press ups; sit ups and knee lifts) and we look forward to seeing you ready to start at 10.15am.

Thank you

Eric