A fantastic unbeaten start to the under 9 season.
After a very long day at Rugby the team came away without losing a game. The opening match against Vipers B saw a 5 – 3 win. Strong tackling throughout and good team work didn’t give the opposition a chance. Tries were assisted or scored by every player.
In game two against Pimley the tackling got stronger especially by Hicks and Cooper (who ended with a head collision as they both showed strong commitment to the same tackle). Hope you both recover quickly. Again tries came from all players as passing skills created lots of chances to score.
Game three required extra players, so Middleton and Palmer were called to replace the injured pair, arriving just on time to play Vipers A. The team running became stronger and the tackling remained effective resulting in a 10 – 0 victory.
By game four the team was on a high. - Oadby Wigs managed to score four to Hinckley’s 7, but again Hinckley were just too strong.
By match five (at 3:30pm) there were some very tired players and Hinckley faced the home side, Rugby Lions. Rugby scored first and defended strongly with some extremely hard tackles. Our team could easily have given up but instead became stronger and more determined. Tackles came from everywhere stopping Rugby breaking through and the final result was 6 -1.
Players performances.
Cooper – Unbelievable strength in tackles, committed to stop any opposition that came near. They didn’t stand a chance until an early finish due to a head injury.
Doyle – Amazing tackling especially when he managed three on the trot by himself. Don’t think the opposition knew what had hit them.
Fisher – Everywhere! Twisting, dodging, running, scoring and amazing strength to tackle any player to the floor.
Halka – Great strength in the tackle. Really flourished, not letting any players through. The speed in his runs left the opposition wondering where he was.
Hicks – Fantastic tackles all over the pitch, every opposition player was knocked straight to the floor. They became frightened of his tackling ability, until an early finish due to a head injury.
Marston – Held her ground and tackled the opposition fiercely. Made some good passes to assist the tries scored. Great to see such commitment.
Middleton - Great commitment to come over after a morning of training. What a runner! Held his own with great determination in the tackle.
Moore – Stood strong in tackles and ran with speed that the opposition couldn’t catch.
Palmer – Great commitment to come over after a morning of training. Showed his speed and tackling ability.
Simmons – Speed and weaving that left the opposition looking on as he scored try after try.
Spalding – What a debut! Such commitment in both scoring and tackling – wasn’t afraid of anyone.
Stokes – Showed such strength in every tackle allowing nobody to pass. Some great passes to assist the tries scored.

Lessons learnt: Ten is not enough players for an under nine festival! The pitch is so much bigger and the knocks they take requires so much more effort by everyone.
Passing and team work is essential- the tries scored were a result of everyone’s hard work.
A brilliant day without a loss. Well done everyone!

Match details

Match date

Sun 05 Oct 2014

Kickoff

10:00

Meet time

09:30

Location

Rugby Lions

Instructions

Rugby Mini Lions Festival 2014
Sunday 5th October 2014
Administration
1. Timing.
09:30 Registration Starts
09:45 Coaches’ and Referees’ Brief
10:15 Registration Ends
10:30 Kick Off
14:00 End
2. Registration. Registration will take place in the Lions’ Den in the clubhouse between 09:30 and 10:15. All teams and team members must be registered by their coach or manager using the form in the welcome pack.
3. Site Plan. A site plan will be issued with the order of play on the day.
4. Catering. Important: no players food will be provided free of charge on the day. It is recommended that players bring their own lunch or purchase food on-site. There will be bacon butties & hot drinks available to purchase on the 2nd team pitch. Hot food, hot drinks and of course alcoholic refreshments will be available to purchase from the main clubhouse.
5. Discipline. RFU Guidance is abundantly clear on the subject of verbal abuse of players & officials, dissent and bad language, by players, coaches or spectators; they will not be tolerated. Club officials must take responsibility for the behaviour of their players and supporters; should an incident occur support in dealing with it will be expected.
6. Spectators. Spectators are not allowed on the 1st team pitch (in front of the clubhouse). The areas between the U7 & U8 pitches and between the U9 & U10 pitches are to be kept clear (including first aid kits and water carriers); the only personnel allowed in these areas are 1 coach per team and match officials. Spectators are to be at least 1m from all touch, touch-in-goal, and dead ball lines.
7. Cricket Square. The cricket square (adjacent to the pitches for U7-10s) is cordoned off; please keep off. Balls should not be used in the vicinity of the cricket square, and on no account should anyone wearing studs go onto the square.
8. Contact. A member of the organising team will be available in or around the front of the clubhouse; this should be your first point of contact on the day.
9. Studs. All coaches are responsible for checking the studs of each of their players.
10. Litter. Please ensure that teams and spectators clear up after themselves. Bin bags will be provided at registration, there are also bins around the ground; please use them.
11. Lost Property. There will be a clearly marked point in the club house on the ground floor where any items found or handed in will be kept.

12. Photographs. We are pleased to announce that DE Photo have been appointed as the Professional Sports Photographers for the festival; by its very nature, this is in the public arena and when entering for the event the participant and his or her parents acknowledge this fact, which may result in the recording and publication of his/her image. All DE Photo photographers and staff have been CRB checked and the company operates a strict Child Protection Policy and Code of Ethics which can be viewed on their website at www.dephoto.co.uk/cpp.html. Photos will be available to buy on the day or from the DE website.
13. Parking. Parking, including an order of play, will be £5. The Rugby Football Club, Webb Ellis Road, Rugby, CV22 7AU You will be directed by club representatives where to park.
14. Certificates/Medals. Certificates will be awarded to all players in age groups U7s – U11s. . Individual medals will be awarded to all players in the U12s. These will be given out at Registration.

Rugby Mini Lions Festival 2014
Sunday 5th October 2014
Regulations
1. Law 6.A.4.a. The referee is the sole judge of fact and of Law during a match.
2. New Laws of the game. All games will be played to the new laws of rugby.
3. League. The emphasis for our festival is fun, participation and enjoyment for all players. Therefore there will be no league for all age groups and no trophies awarded.

4. Maximum Squad Sizes and Game Length. The maximum number of players per squad is as follow:
Age Group Maximum Squad Size Game Length
U7 & U8 12 5 + 5 minutes
U9 & U10 15 6 + 6 minutes
U11 & U12 18 7 + 7 minutes

5. Substitutions. Substitutions may take place at any time that the ball is dead with the permission of the referee. Substituted players may not take any further part in that game unless it is to replace an injured player.
6. Referees and Touch Judges. All age groups will be refereed by a coach from a neutral team as detailed in the Order of Play. For all matches each team shall provide 1 touch judge who should present him/herself to the referee at the start of the match.
7. Coaches on the Pitch. In U7s & U8s games 1 coach may coach on the pitch behind the players. At all other age groups no one other than the players are allowed on the pitch without the permission of the referee.
8. Discipline. If a referee decides that a player must take no further part in a match (sends off), he or she may be substituted but may take no further part in the festival. However, if a referee decides that player would benefit from an opportunity to cool down (caution), he or she may instruct a coach to substitute a player; that player may take no further part in that match but may continue to play in the festival. Should a further caution be necessary that player would take no further part in the festival.

Attendance

Team overview