Coach

Sandy Edington

Coach

Paul Oliver Tel : 01202 880411 Email : Paul

Coach

Richard Parry Tel : 01202 600939 Email : Richard

Coach

Andy Stainer Tel : 07740 584 133 Email : Andy

Coach

Ade Stark Tel : 01202 840799 Email : Ade

U10s Notice: Please Read

As most of you will know we are working towards having everyone play in a major tournament this year.
We are lucky to have so many opportunities and mainly through Simon's hard work on the phone can show up and represent Wimborne RFC at under 10’s in a very positive light.

The coaches at the beginning of the season decided on a policy of 'rugby for all' and target a couple of tournaments to go after. At the under 10’s age it is not just about winning but enjoying the game and developing as players. We could very easily put out our strongest team at every opportunity to go to win all we enter. However this would be to the detriment of the squad and we would be faced with bored players and diminishing numbers. When we get into youth age groups (only 2.5 years away) we will need 15 on the pitch and a squad of at least 30 to choose from.

Whilst we all like watching our children win we must be mindful that they have to learn and develop and not just sit back and watch, we the coaches believe that the children want to get involved and play. It certainly shows when we are picking a team. However part of playing rugby is learning to loose graciously as well as the winning.

You the parents can help us manage each child’s expectation by encouraging them to do as the coaches ask be it playing, sit on the bench for a half a game with a smile or work harder in training. What does not help is if parents complain to each other about team selection and whether or not we will win or loose, especially if in ear shot of the players. If you have any issues please speak to a coach.

We have got the best squad of players in our region(s) both Dorset and Wilts and in Hampshire and the best group of parents whose unswerving support has helped us get to where we are. Our track record is second to none as the testimony of other team’s parent’s bears out.

We are building a squad not for now but for the future i.e. Colts, County level, adult level and indeed country! We do not want to leave anyone behind. The coaches feel that we are doing this in the best way by getting them to play as much rugby as possible, be it matches, tournaments or just on the training pitch.

Please let us all remember that Sunday mornings is about 38 children having fun, learning and getting some exercise.

Sorry about the length of the mail, but we had to get our thoughts about what we are doing across, if we have not communicated this to you before then we apologise,

If you have any questions or queries then please either call or speak to any of the coaches,

Best regards

The Coaches

Please see below the planned agenda for this Sunday the 11th May.
As with most things these timings are only an estimate and the day could well run on.
With past experience, don’t plan on doing too much in the afternoon.
See you all there regards
The Coaches

On Sunday 29th April the final games of the season were played at the Wimborne Tournament. Wimborne under 10’s provided 2 teams with the other opposition consisting of Ellingham and Ringwood, Oakmeadians, Fordingbridge, North Dorset and two teams from Bournemouth. All looked fair early on Sunday morning but with half an hour to go until the first match the thunder came and the heavens opened. Thankfully the gods must have been looking down on us as no sooner had it started but it stopped and we got underway whilst the sun shone.

First up for Wimborne 1 was a tough opening game against Ellingham, last year’s winners. As expected it was a close game with end to end rugby, Ellingham had a few chances to score but Wimborne’s defence held firm. Eventually Wimborne were able to break down the left and score the decisive try and win the game. The next game for the Wimborne crowd to cheer on brought Wimborne 2 against Fordingbridge, the early encounters were hard fought and at half time Fordingbridge had a slender 1 nil lead, unfortunately in the second half Fordingbridge came out the stronger team and before Wimborne really got going Fordingbridge had run in another 4 tries the final whistle went with a 5 nil win for Fordingbridge. Next up Bournemouth 2 versus Wimborne 1, this was a totally one sided game from the start and Wimborne had soon run in 5 tries and just before half time another was added bringing an early end to the game at half time with the score at 6 nil. This brought Wimborne 2 back onto the pitch to play Bournemouth 1, the first half was very similar to the earlier match and Bournemouth were soon 5 nil up. However in the second half Wimborne 2 started playing the type of rugby we were hoping to see, winning the ball at the breakdown and getting the ball out wide, unfortunately they were unable to capitalise on this game as the Bournemouth defence held strong then totally against the run of play they scored the 6th try that brought the game to an end. Wimborne 1 now entertained Oakmedians knowing a win would confirm their position at the top of the group and ensure a semi-final game against the runner up in pool 2. Another strong defensive performance provided the platform for a comfortable 5 nil win. Wimborne had won the group with 9 points, scoring 12 tries and conceding none. Wimborne 2 now faced North Dorset and fresh from their second half performance against Bournemouth came out full of confidence and they did not let the watching crowd down with a very gutsy performance giving them a wonderful win. Unfortunately Wimborne 2 were unable to make it through to the semi-final stage.

It was then decided to play an extra game with Wimborne 2 taking on Bournemouth 2, this was a very entertaining game and yet again Wimborne showed that we have an excellent set of players that our capable of producing two strong teams, not only that but a special mention has to go to Tom who kindly volunteered to play for Bournemouth for the entire tournament showing great team spirit.

The other teams in the tournament had played their part in a wonderful set of pool games. Ellingham and Ringwood were runners up in pool A with 6 points scoring 9 tries and conceding 1 whilst Oakmedians finished in fourth spot. In the other pool Bournemouth won the pool with 9 points scoring 15 tries and conceding one whilst Fordingbridge were runners up with 6 points with 9 tries for and 5 against. The semi final line up brought Wimborne against Fordingbridge and Bournemouth against Ellingham and Ringwood.

First up was Wimborne trying to bury the voodoo of semi-final loses, the first half started of with a battle of the forwards as the two teams tried to grind each other down, eventually Wimborne managed to break through a couple of tries before half time seem to be enough, another early in the second half was enough to secure a place in the final and without conceding a try. The second semi-final saw Bournemouth battle past a resilient Ellingham and Ringwood to give us a Wimborne Bournemouth final.

The two local rivals stepped up and what was to follow was a match worthy of any competition at any age group. Bournemouth seemed to have the upper hand and spent most of the half yards away from the try line but yet again the Wimborne defence held firm as it had all day the half came to end with the score at nil nil. The second half brought much of the same and as the seconds ticked away it looked like Wimborne were going to be held, this would have given Bournemouth the trophy and tries scored throughout the competition but Wimborne were still pushing for that one try that would give them victory. With seconds to go an error by Bournemouth gave Wimborne the opportunity and with the last play in the last game of the season Wimborne were over the try line for a hard fought victory.

WIMBORNE UNDER 10’s WINNERS 2008

We as coaches would like to congratulate all the children on a wonderfully entertaining day’s rugby. We would also like to thank all the parents for their support throughout the season and for your gifts that we received on Sunday. We hope to see you all soon, whether at the end of season dinner on the 9th May or the presentation day on 11th May and remember if you can’t make either of these then enjoy the next 18 SUNDAYS OFF and we will see you all in September.

Many thanks from us all and let’s hope next season brings the same rewards as this.

The coaches

Saturday April 19th 2008
Wimborne v Touring side

Sunday April 20th 2008
Havant Tournament

How different a weekend can be? On Saturday the rain was sheeting down and we awaited the visit of the under 10's from Western-super-mare based Hornets. A group of hardened Wimborne boys awaited the game. After a delayed start the first match started in what can only be described as horrible conditions. A hard fought game dominated by the forwards saw Wimborne come out on top. After a short break it was decided to have one more game as the weather had not abated.
The second game followed a similar pattern to the first and yet again Wimborne were the eventual winners. Once the rugby was finished it was into the club house for warm drinks and food.
A big thank you to all who turned up on the day and well done to all who played with a special mention to Tom Stonell and Tod Purcell.

Sunday brought completely different weather, with all cars no doubt filled with wet weather clothing the sun shone brightly as we headed off to the Havant rugby festival. On arrival at Havant, although I think we parked nearer Brighton, we set up tent or should I say Richard set up tent at the far end of the rugby pitch, we all complained implying that perhaps he could have got further away from the cars only to discover that somehow he had managed to park on the pitch next to the tent.

In the tournament we were drawn against some strong opposition, Basingstoke, Weybridge and Brighton. The first game saw us play Basingstoke, the game started off well with the highlight being a 30 yard maul which saw Wimborne cross the line for a try. Wimborne continued to dominate the game and had numerous opportunities to score only for the ball to be held up each time. In the second half Basingstoke were gifted a try which brought the scores level. Wimborne then piled on the pressure but the Basingstoke defence held firm and held the ball up again on at least two more occasions. Eventually the Wimborne pressure paid off and Seb crossed the line to give Wimborne the win.

Next up were Weybridge, another hard fought game for the forwards that saw both teams have opportunities to score by the time the final whistle blew both teams had given their all with Wimborne coming out on top.

Next up came Brighton for the top of the table decider. The opening minutes had both teams putting in some heavy tackles but unfortunately Brighton managed a score and then just before half time they doubled their lead. By the time the second half started, the Wimborne boys were beginning to tire, perhaps the game against Basingstoke had taken too much out of them but Brighton went on to score another couple of tries and win the game to top the group.

There was an anxious wait to see the outcome of who we would play next and unfortunately we missed out on a place in the shield semi-final by two tries and progressed to the plate semi where we would play Luton. The weather and the games against Brighton and Basingstoke had now taken their toll and although Wimborne played their hearts out, they were defeated and our weekend of rugby had finished in a disappointing defeat.

Well done to all those who played and to those who turned up at Leigh park for training.
Next week sees our Wimborne Tournament and below you will see the teams that we are entering. We have had a great season bringing on many new players and developing a big squad. Unfortunately not
everyone gets to play next week which is not ideal however we believe everyone has had a chance to play in a tournament this year.

I hope everyone has a good day next week and that we put on a good show of support regardless of which team is playing.

Many thanks to all the parents for their continued support.

Here is the squad list for the Havant tournament Sunday.
Please inform us if you cannot attend. Please be at the venue for 9.30 - details available on Havant's website click here

Congratulations to those chosen.
The remaining squad are to attend training at Leigh Park
Don’t forget that there is an opportunity to play rugby on Saturday morning against the Welsh - all those interested should be at Leigh Park for 09:45
Finally please let Richard know if you require any tickets for the end of season meal as they are running out fast.
Regards
The Coaches

An early start on Sunday saw us at Bournemouth, drawn with Launceston, North Dorset and the Welsh Llandaf North.
Our first game was against Launceston a little early for us and Launceston soon took an early lead but as the half progressed Wimborne started to mount on the pressure and were soon rewarded with a try. The second half saw Wimborne pile on yet more pressure but they were unable to make it count until the last play of the game when the ball came out wide and a try was scored.

Under 10’s Isle of Wight tour 2008
	Over the Easter weekend the grand under 10’s tour set off from Leigh Park, Richard had ensured a smooth departure with all tour members dressed in fine Mexican attire. First stop was a visit to Romsey, on the way the weather was terrible but it soon brightened up and the kids played 3 games of compelling rugby in sunshine winning two and drawing the third. Next stop was the ferry in Southampton, once again our fine organisation skills allowed us to arrive in plenty of time, the theory being book on 3 ferries you will always get on one of them. Once on the island it was only a short drive to Little Canada (without getting lost) and the kids soon found their accommodation, much improved from last year. An early night for ALL was followed by an early morning for most thanks cabin 6. A full day of entertainment was put on for the children and some brave adults and I think all went to bed tired and ready for rugby in the morning. A later start on Sunday got us to rugby via numerous routes, the weather was cold, wet and windy, but in true under 10’s spirit two games of rugby were played winning both. Another successful tour was complete and plans are already underway for next year’s event.

Here is the squad we would like to take to the emerging player’s tournament at Havant this weekend: