The last for at least 3 months.......

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Believe that at your peril....

Just a note to say many thanks for the bottle of Port. As they say "any port in a storm", I am sure that it will go down a storm, it is much appreciated. I have enclosed a few fine words from coach Eric, who is currently dusting off his "whites" in preparation for the cricket season (he is at Knebworth on Friday with an U9 fixture). Don't forget that there is cricket in Hitchin for those that will miss the dulcet tones of Eric on a Sunday morning - Jon I think you should be able to hear him from your bed on a Sunday morning as you only live about 1 mile away!

A reminder about the Socious sports, I have just booked Alex in, Eric has booked George and Harry in so I think that will make about 14 from Hitchin. Jonathan cannot make the Letchworth one, is anyone going on the Datchworth one? Jonathan would like to go but understandable does not want to go on his own.

Next season officially starts on the 7th September. We will try and organise a bit of a training session prior to the start of the socious course so we can get a bit of "goofing around time" in - probably the weekend of the 9th August. If you are interested drop me an email. We are also looking at the odd evening session for the coach's to get up to speed with the developments for next season, again if you are interested let me know - these will probably be with Tim B and be on a weekday evening.

That just leaves me to say many thanks to you all, it has been good fun this year and I feel that we have all achieved some great things this year. Hopefully see you all in September if not before

Simon

Dear all,

Founders Day was an excellent end to the season and I think everyone had fun and thankfully the rain held off.

Many congratulations to Harry Donougher being in the winning team, and also to Rees Harper Negus for being part of the runners-up team. Also to everyone else who got involved, enjoyed the day and played some excellent rugby.

Before I move onto the award winners, I would like to thank ALL players who have put in a huge amount of effort over the season. You tried your hardest; you listened; you had a great attitude and you did everything I, and the other coaches asked of you. MOST IMPORTANTLY, each and everyone of you have developed as rugby players - well done.

Although there were certain of our squad who won awards, everyone contributed and with similar commitment next year many more of you will be 'in the frame' to win awards.

Award Winners

Player of the Season - Harry Lanyon

Harry has been overall the strongest player across all the areas we look at; tagging; passing; support play; tries; communication; positional play (channels); team work, as well as attendance and attitude. Near the top of the try count with 72 - including all 7 against Chess Valley - his sheer determination both in defence and attack stood out; with great running and support play; last ditch tagging and importantly rarely, if ever, making mistakes brought him the coaches vote - well done Harry.

Most Improved Player - Harry Donougher

Harry really has improved in so many areas; he is strong defensively, not least because he takes up excellent defensive positions and holds his channel. In attack he has found an extra yard or two of pace, and with a great side step and strong support play he notched up 24 tries this season. Most importantly in the 'Improvement category' he listens to everything the coaches say and goes out and delivers what we've asked of him - well done Harry.

Leading Try scorer (Lions) - Alfie Cartwright

Alfie once again rose to the top in tries with 74 for the season. It was close fought race, just beating Elliot W (71) and Harry L (72), but he showed for a second year that he is our outstanding finisher when close to the line or equally with dazzling runs from his own half. In addition he made our day at Saracens when he scored the Hitchin try on the main pitch with one of his trademark side-steps. We particularly love the little jump he makes just before setting off on his mazy runs. That said Alfie is not just a try scorer, he has an excellent all round game and add to that really strong on-pitch communication. Alfie you really were a key player for us this season - well done Twinkle Toes.

Leading Try scorer (Tigers) - Niall Mistry

Niall pushed Joseph (30 tries) and his brother Rhian (24) into 2nd and 3rd places with his 38 tries for the season. It was his great pace and side-steps that not only achieved this excellent total, but led him to breaking into the Lions squad for the end of season festivals. Tries also come about from great support play and Niall excels here. Importantly, when he has the ball in hand he looks for the space and runs into it. This has been an excellent first season - well done Niall.

Most Valuable Player (Lions) - Elliot Willoughby

Elliot unfortunately couldn't join us on Sunday, but we awarded him this well deserved trophy at St. Neots. Elliot came 3rd in tries with 71 and these came about from amazing, jinking runs at speed and a great eye for the try line. His support play is also excellent and this helped add to his total. Defensively, Elliot leads the line and ensures we are strong positionally in our channels. Add to this a great winning attitude, a very strong all round game and this was a straight forward decision for the coaches - well done Elliot.

Most Valuable Player (Tigers) - Pippa Christey Reid

Pippa won this because she is a great all round player. She has good communication; strong tagging; great passing and excellent support play. Also she knows where the try line is and this led to 19 tries for the season. She also sets the highest standards in terms of listening to the coaches and delivering everything we ask of her - well done Pippa.

Best Newcomer - Jack Butler

Jack beat a number of players this year in what was our most hotly contested category. The reason was that he shone out as the player who had developed in all areas despite having only joined in September. He demonstrates excellent positional play, both in attack and defence. He also supports well and when given the chance uses his pace to charge towards the try line. This brought him 14 tries for the season and his all round improvement led him to breaking into the Lions squad for the last two festivals. Add to that a great team player with a really positive attitude and this award was well deserved - well done Jack.

Squad Player of the Year - Sam McCracken

This award is important because it can only be won by a player who shows consistent commitment and effort; one who doesn't necessarily get all of the recognition each week with tries (although he did get 27!!) or match winning performances. You have to be an excellent all round player, strong in all areas and have been critical to the overall success of the squad. Sam McCracken was all of this and more. When I think of POSITIVE TEAM ATTITUDE Sam exemplifies everything that is great about our U8 squad. Add to this a real leader and someone who always has a smile on his face and I think you can see why Sam was the natural choice - well done Sam.

Season Stats


Lions P41 W24 D5 L12 F291 A263

Tigers P36 W9 D2 L25 F192 A251

Thank you to the Parents

To the coaches for all your effort and support; Simon, Charles, Chris, Mark, Jon, Chico and Tim Bonnet
For all the great photos in the gallery; Mark
For the fantastic match reports; Jill and Caroline
For the great Saracens Day and the Tour; Jill
For sourcing the brilliant trophies; Beckie
Everyone who got their children there on time; stood in the wet and cold supporting us - thank you ALL.
Team Management - thank you Simon

The hardest job with probably the least recognition. Simon makes my job on a Sunday morning easy as he has already liaised with the weeks opponents; contacted the relevant people as Hitchin RFC to ensure everything runs to plan; sends out all the e-mails to make sure everyone gets where they need to be; keeps the web-site up to date and basically organises everything behind the scenes. Add to that my lift to most matches and training - a really tough job very well done; Big Cheer for Simon.

That's it for 2007/8; Enjoy the Summer, relax and have a great break.

See you at the beginning of September for 2008/ 9

Eric