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May, 2008
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U9 
Old Leamingtonians U9s travelled to Weston Supermare for a weekend of sun, sea, sand and rugby at the West Coast Rugby festival. The festival played host to teams from far and wide, across the UK and as far afield as
Dubai
. The weekend away together allowed the U9s, who go to a variety of schools, to really get to know each other as individuals and start playing as a team. Six matches over two days saw the team finish fourth in a group that included strong teams from the West country, Wales and
London
. Proudly wearing their special tour shirts, each member of the U9s excelled themselves and proved to be fine ambassadors for Old Leamingtonians rugby club and the town of
Leamington
|  The test of a team’s development is how they fair against previous opponents at the end of a season; today’s performance of the U9’s that travelled to the Stratford Festival was testament not only to the efforts of the coaching staff, but more importantly the determination and enthusiasm and obvious development of the players.
Match #1 matches saw Bromsgrove, who had previously overpowered OL’s in an earlier fixture, experience a stiff test of their resolve and tackling – a closely fought contest ending in a very narrow 10-5 win for the opposition. Tom Fawcett registering the only OL’s score with a break from halfway .
Match #2 saw an equally titanic struggle against Worcester Wanderers, whose size and pace was well tempered by OL’s ability to tackle hard and maintain a strong forward presence. OL’s were unlucky to leak the only two tries of the game – some stalwart defence limiting Worcester, even though OL’s often threatened to strike back it was not to be.
Match #3 against a side from Brighton ended without score, however the rugby on display was equal to the best OL’s have played all season – a high tackle count and great support work showed how the team has the ability to work as a unit, irrespective of the players involved. Somehow 0 – 0 just wasn’t the right end for this standard of game!
Match #4 was against the hosts Stratford; against whom OL’s have had mixed results this season – this ended up being a rout in the first half, with OL’s running in 5 tries by half time! Tom Fawcett (2), Kai Bailey, Ben McCann and Danni Clutton the scorers. Second half saw OL’s register another 2 tries through Tom Hoare and finally Alex Witchell – the game ending at 35 -10. A thoroughly convincing performance based on forward power and well linked back play.
Sadly, the points for L2, D1, and W1 meant a 3rd place in the pool – so no place in the Finals.
The team had a thoroughly enjoyable day in the
Stratford sunshine and proved that the first season of contact rugby has shaped a solid squad to build on for future
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OL's travelled to Old Coventrians on Sunday to play in the hosts
inaugural Mini Festival, celebrating 75yrs of
Rugby at the club. OL's
fielded teams from U7 through to U12 and took home the winners trophies
for U9, U10, U11 and U12.
| The OLs tournament took place on a glorious spring morning and saw the U9s field two teams. Unfortunately opponents were sparse following the last minute withdrawl of Rugby Lions. A sporting Evesham team arrived a couple of players light so some OLs players manned up the opposition and gave exemplary performances. Both the OLs teams put in creditable performances and the development of all OLs players over the duration of the season was clear to see. The eager spectators saw players who knew where they should be and what they should be doing, and even the ball being passed down the line on more than one occasion!
A good mornings rugby by all concerned that saw the OLs A come out tournament victors.
-OL’s B 15 (Edward Commander, Jonas Lines, Brian).
Evesham 25
-OL’s A 70 (Kia Bailey 2, Alex Witchell 2, Benedict Lloyd 1, Tom Fawcett 3, Lewis King 2, Luke Green 4)
Evesham 0
-OL’s A 35 (Kia Bailey 1, Cameron Jessamine 2, TomFawcett 2, Lewis King 1, Luke Green 1).
OL’s B 0
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The OL’s U9’s travelled in strength to Barkers Butts on a Bright and Breezy morning, for what turned out to be two well contested and hard fought games.
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U9s - Stratford
OL’s U9’s welcomed Stratford RFC at the Crofts for a return fixture on a glorious sunny morning.
The first game saw some resolute tackling and ferocious rucking and mauling from both sides, only an occasional lapse in defence being the difference in the final score of 5 -10 to the Visitors. Cameron Jessamine pinching a typical sniping scrum-half’s try; burrowing through the smallest of gaps to touch down.
The second match saw a changed OL’s line-up that, unfortunately, saw the visitors capitalise at the breakdown – repeatedly pushing OL’s off their own ball and breaking through to score. Despite some fine efforts from the OL’s forwards and backs, the visitors proved more organised and ran out victorious at 0 – 25.
| 372 | U9s - Shipston
A momentary glimpse of spring at the Crofts on Sunday morning greeted our visitors from Shipston, who arrived with two apparently sizeable and well drilled teams.
The coaching executive carefully selected the ‘A’ team to face the first test which, despite several individual performances of note, ended up being a losing encounter 0 – 15. Shipston proving quick to capitalise at the breakdown and moved the ball quickly and accurately – OL’s apparently being dazzled by the sun and being unable to see where/who to pass the ball to. After a fast paced and physical encounter the A team left the field somewhat crestfallen, but the positives were manifold; good tackle count, strong running and tactically aware – but rucking and service to the backs being not up to the usual standard.
The second and final game proved to be a textbook example of how to work as a team; the less experienced players took to the field and from the first whistle took control. You can’t score tries without the ball and that’s exactly what OL’s made sure of – each Ruck/Maul was driven hard by a well organised effort resulting in plenty of possession and quick recycling. Everyone played for each other and the passing and running proved the undoing of a stubborn Shipston defence - the final score being a resounding 40 – 5, with Cameron Jessamine (4), Tom Hoare (3) and Brian (Scored with his first touch!) sharing the points. All the ‘B’ players got a deserved round of applause from the ‘A’s’ in recognition of the achievement.
A testament to the principles of team work!
| 379 | U9s - Bournville
The same first weekend of february saw eight OLs turn out for the development team for a triangular fixtgure against Barker Butts and newly formed Bourneville - the full team from BB were too strong by far for our inexperienced team with 3 players making their debut. However, Christian and Theo expecially showed great determation and despite a heavy defeat, score not kept, we left with our heads held high. Tackle of the match goes to Brian who ran down a BB player for a try saving tackle in only his first match - what a prospect for the future.
The second match showed us up against a real mix of U9s and u10s from Bournville - with the aid of a Bournville player the boys worked tirelessly, the highlight being a thumping run the length of the field from Jonas leading to a corner flag score, proud dad leaping from the touchline - the final score was 10-10, great stuff.
Special mention to new boys Brian, William, Conrad who did marvellously well –Don’t worry boys…warmer weekends to come!
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