Under 8's and the county festival

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Brace yourselves....it could be a big one!!!

Match reports for 2 teams at a County Championship and details of the last 3 weeks of the season....and then some Coach's comments from Eric - comment about Pippa a bit harsh....

This weekend we have a bonus fixture, with Letchworth due to visit us (we thought they were due to visit the following weekend). Can you please let me know if you cannot make it. The plan is to put out 2 teams. So far I have only Ben S who has said they cannot make it. Pippa hopefully will be fit again, however Daniel will not be fit (I visited him and he seemed okay and was very pleased with the player of the week award and the card you all signed).

Can you also let me know if you cannot make it for the following weekend. The plan is to take 1 team to St. Neots. If there are enough players, I will try and arrange a fixture for the following weekend. Please let me know soon as it takes a little while to arrange these.

A number of the players did the Socious Sports Rugby course last summer. I think the most convenient one would be one in Datchworth w/c 4th August. I know Alex is up for it, Jill mentioned that Sam would be and I am sure that there are a number of others that went last year who really enjoyed it would be going again this year. If you want more details I will forward you the email I was sent.

That just leaves me to remind you of the final weekend of the BBQ. I am not sure what is planned for that Sunday but will make some enquiries and let you know.

Tiger's match reports, thanks to Caroline Lasage;

Game 1

Hitchin 2-8 Welwyn GC

Tigers start nervously and unfortunately drop passes; WGC intercept and score. Tigers come back, supporting well, but again drop passes and WGC score. Tigers work hard to support and good running by Ben Stephens earns a try. WGC come back immediately. Tigers attack but just come up short. WGC gain possession and, despite good tagging, score. Good running by Joseph earns a try and reduces the score, only for WGC to make it 5-2 at half-time.

WGC start, but Tigers gain possession after good work by Rhian and Joseph. WGC regain and score. Tigers support well, but a forward pass hands the ball over for WGC to score. A good run by Joseph breaks down on the try line. Tires with all the defensive work, Tigers let WGC away for a break away score. Full time.

Game 2

Hitchin 9-7 Letchworth GC

LGC start, and despite good tagging from the Tigers get right to our line. However, turnover ball allows a great run by Joseph to see the first score to the Tigers. LGC come back with well worked try. Tigers go on the attack and good work by Rhian allows Ben S to score. LGC reply immediately. Tigers support well and Joseph scores. LGC reply again; end to end stuff!! Just before the whistle Ben S goes on a super run and scores to make it 4-3 to Tigers at half-time.

Tigers re-start and a great run from Iago allows him to score. Despite good tagging LGC reply. Joseph then has another great run to add to his tally. LGC are not giving in and fight back to score. Then good movement by Rhian allows him to score his first try. Fantastic tagging by the Tigers, but LGC score with the 7th tag beckoning. Captain Ben S then takes the lead and runs in for another try. LGC are still in the game and reply yet again. Tigers work hard in support and just before the final whistle Rhian breaks through for a try and a win - well done Tigers!!

Game 3

Hitchin 3-10 Old Albanians

Tigers start but OA win the ball early and run away to score, despite good tagging. Great team effort gets Joseph a try. OA come straight back to take the lead. Tigers respond with a great run from Rhian and a score - it's close!! OA's come back again - end to end stuff!! Great support gets Elliot Sprawson a try. Tigers keep fighting and only a touch line call prevents them going in level at half-time (3-4.) Boys you've shown you can compete with the very best - excellent!!

We won't say too much about the second half other than we put in lots of effort and tried our hardest and most importantly kept going when OA found their A-game.

Try scorers:

Joseph Wilkinson 5; Ben Stephens 4; Rhian Mistry 3; Elliot Sprawson 1; Iago Neale 1

Report thanks to Jill

Lions - Game 1
Hitchin 3 v Tring 3
Our first game was against the hosts. As play got under way, we were quickly turned over but after some excellent defensive work we won the ball back with Alfie running well then passing out to Elliot who squeezed through for our first try. Tring then scored twice in fairly quick succession but the winning combination of Alfie and Elliot levelled things, this time reversed as it was Elliot who made the ground for Alfie to score. More great defensive work from Sam won us back the ball and some fantastic play from Harry D found space for Jack to score. It all ended fairly even which seemed a fair reflection of the game.

Game 2
Datchworth 6 v Hitchin 6

We went down a try right at the start but our team kept their concentration and determination and Harry D levelled things after some great team play involving nearly all the squad. In particular, Jack defended well to secure the ball for Niall who managed to get just short of the try line before being tagged but passed to Sam who was perfectly placed to plant the ball for try number 2. Tries went with play with Elliot scoring again and a fine solo effort from Jack kept things level at 4 each at half time. Another strong straight run from Sam resulted in a try for Harry L who had been in support throughout. Some brilliant defence from Alex and Jordan kept us parents on the edge of our seats as we went ahead with a try from Niall with only one more play of the game. However, Datchworth didn't want to give up either and fought well to snatch an equaliser.

Game 3
Stortford 7 V Hitchin 6

As in game two, we went a try down almost immediately but the sidestepping Harry D equalised . Again, tries went pretty much in turn with Stortford scoring next and Jordan equalising following what is rapidly becoming Sam's trademark strong run from a re start. Harry D was on fire in this half and some brilliant play between him and Alfie gave us try number 3 (Alfie was the scorer). A fabulous individual effort from Harry L made it 4 all at half time. After the break we were treated to some very entertaining and equally balanced rugby from both sides before Stortford managed to get the elusive try. Elliot levelled things again, showing his speed and agility. Again Stortford went ahead and again we came back, this time with Niall who blazed down the sideline to get number six. Again we knew there was just one play left and despite some good defensive work from Alex and Jordan, Stortford managed to find some space and win.

Game 4
Hitchin 4 v Harpenden 4
At this point, Harpenden were unbeaten and we had nothing to loose, Alex made good ground from the start of the game for Alfie to score. An equaliser followed but yet more great tagging from Jordan and strong running from Niall made a gap for Harry L to get our second and keep us ahead. However, Harpenden fought back and it was even at half time - again!
A marvellous bit of team work involving Niall, Elliot and finally Sam (who scored) kept us ahead. Again Harpenden came back but with only a minute to go, Harry L scored again. As we restarted, we knew again that it was the final play but Harpenden fought back just as Datchworth had, to grab a draw and keep their unbeaten record. Harpenden made it to the semi's - we wished them well.

Three draws and one loss (by one try) in a hard group - well done.
Try Scorers
Alfie - 3 Elliot - 3 Harry L - 4 Jack - 2 Sam - 2 Harry D - 2 Niall - 2 Jordan - 1


Results as follows:

U8's

Cup Competition - Again we had 4 leagues of "A" teams, with the winners of each league going into the Semi Finals, The final was between WGC v OA's, WGC won and are County Champions.

Plate Competition - The plate was also played in league style with Semi Finals and the Final between OA's v Hertford, at full time the score was 3 all, the referee mistakenly played extra time but following consultation with both coaches from the finalists, the plate was shared between the 2 clubs, thank you to both teams for there understanding and agreement to the resolution.

Bowl Competition - The bowl was played in a league format with WGC coming top.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL FINALISTS AND WINNERS, but the real winner on the day was rugby, with so many players the future is very bright for Hertfordshire Rugby.

Finally, we will circulate later this week ,details to the photographers website with access details, they took many photos of all teams through the day and all the presentations etc. Also a big thank you to Landrover who sponsored the event, I understand that Hertford ( not sure if its U7's or U8's) won the training session with Josh Lewsey for there team, thank you to the Saracen players who attended the event and we at Tring Rugby wish you all a restful summer and we look forward to seeing you all sometime next season.

Question - What's the difference between an egg and Hitchin Hedgehogs U8s in the County Cup?

Answer - you can beat an egg!!

What tremendous teams efforts by both the Lions and Tigers.

Against the 'big boys' of Hertfordshire rugby (both in club and physical size - what do they put in their boots??) you all performed to the best of your ability, far exceeded my expectations and were a credit to our club.

Tigers, you earned your 'strips' - there were great performances across the squad and you all played your part. Well done to Ben S, Joseph and Rhian for leading the way with the tries, but all of you worked your socks off both in defence and attack. Added to this good communication and you performed admirably, the pinnacle of which was your 9-7 win over Letchworth and your first half performance (3-4) against eventual Plate winners - Old Albanians.

I spoke to Charles and the only thing we need to work on is to look for and move into space when you're supporting your teammate with the ball.

Oh and when Coach says "Look for Space" add for Pippa "Mind the Trees!!" - We hope you're feeling better Pippa - see you soon.

Lions, your coach is still 'Roaring with Pride' at your performance. You did everything I asked of you, both as individuals and as a squad. Most importantly, both in defence and in attack your worked as a team; supporting each other, communicating, defending your channels, offloading and keeping focus in all the matches.

The likes of Tring and Datchworth will know they were very, very lucky to come away with draws against the 'mighty Hedgehogs!'

Bishop Stortford will still be wondering how the referee missed their offside tries to give them a shock 7-6 win and as for clear group winners, Harpenden - after 3 convincing wins - 'Who are this Hitchin team' who ran us ragged and thank goodness the referee overran by 15 seconds otherwise these 'Hogs' would have beaten us 5-4.

Boys, I'm so proud of you all and I was thinking, going back 12 months, we lost all 4 games at last year's county cup and bounced back to reach the final of the St. Neots festival.

After this performance, no pressure but I'm starting to get a good feeling.

This week's player of the week award was just impossible to call with 17 great performances. Therefore I decided that we would award it to everyone in the U8s. Also as we know one of our squad was rushed into hospital late last week with Appendicitis. Therefore, as well as you all signing a card for him, I decided it was only right and proper that Daniel look after the trophy for us this week. Get well Daniel and come and see us soon!!

See you all Sunday; Lions and Tigers - Letchworth are on the menu!!