This year's tour, the last as a Mini & Youth side, had us all gathering at Leigh Park early on Thursday morning for the convoy up to Nottingham for the two day festival. The theme this year was Pirates, a last minute thought from the chairman, and as usual there were varying degrees of effort. Compared to days of yore, SatNav's seem to have improved greatly and there were no deviations from the route and we arrived at Nottingham University a few hours later. Although Fordy's still took him past the entrance......probably in search of beer! Thursday evening we all went bowling, and then to the bar, minus the kids of course who were tucked up in bed early, where we were to see the only annual Stuart Kerley attempt at shirt swapping. Using all his diplomacy and negotiating skills Stuart tried but failed to succeed in an exchange with a Salisbury U13 coach!

Day One
The competition comprised of two pools of seven teams, the top two in each group then going to Twickenham for the Semi-finals and final. As usual our group looked tougher than the other. The first match saw us pitched against West Norfolk who out sung the lads on the bus the previous night, would their rugby be as good as their singing! In now typical fashion the first game we play, we always seem half asleep and so it proved again with both sides evenly matched as we struggled to get going, although West Norfolk did not look like scoring either. Then we woke up, from deep in our own half James Williams received the ball and set off on a mazy run, tackled around the half way line he off-loaded to Patrick who set off and once he stretched his legs he wouldn't be caught. We continued to press in the second half but could not add to the score and for the last few tense minutes repelled West Norfolk attacks to win, Wimborne 5-0 West Norfolk.

Next up were Buckingham and this time the lads played as they can from the start with good rucking and passing moves. The first score came from a number of phases of play with Patrick driving for the line, from the ensuing ruck quick ball through the backs had James Williams twisting over the line. The pressure continued and the second score was not long in coming. From a penalty the ball was moved out wide to Luis, just short of the line a maul ensued and the forwards drove him over the line and he managed to put the ball down, well we think it was Luis, he was the last one who came up with ball. During the second half we continued to press and had plenty of ball but had already taken our foot of the gas. Wimborne 10-0 Buckingham.

Last game of day one was against Upminster, a team we have played several times over recent years. Despite the long wait between games the lads hit the ground running and scored the first try fairly quickly after pressing the Upminster line. From a scrum with quick ball to Tate, he found the gap and headed through it attacking the space and slid over the line. Continued pressure from the out excellent forwards drived us on up the pitch first Pat driving on, ruck, Peter with a pick and go made plenty of ground but was agonisingly held up less than half a metre from the line, from the ruck, Pat in close support also picked and went the last few centimetres to score the second. The third came straight from the kick off, James Williams received the ball deep and returned the kick with interest. The chase was on with Barney and Luis leading the way, the ball bouncing towards the try line, the defence letting it bounce. Their hesitation was their un-doing with the ball now over the try line Luis dived on it to score the third try. In the second half the lads relaxed and although had plenty of ball did not add to the score. Wimborne 15-0 Upminster.

Day Two
Today was always going to be the tougher day, first up was Welsh side Rhiwbina. The lads started well enough and competed for every ball against a larger side and occasionally were sucked into mauls but did their best to ruck and deliver quick ball. The early part of the half saw both sides evenly matched with play in the middle of the park. The match had all the signs of being a stalemate. The lads tried continuously to give quick ball to the backs but Rhiwbina were up on us quick to snuff out any opportunities. Our own defence equally as good to keep them out also. In the second half it was more of the same, although we nearly scored with a kick and chase James Williams just being beaten to the ball. The last 2 minutes were all Wimborne, several penalties could not be taken advantage of, we just could not penetrate their defence. Wimborne 0-0 Rhiwbina.

Having watched them we knew the next game against Barnstaple would be the toughest of the lot and so it proved. The first half was fairly even, Barnstaple quick to the tackle and the break down, not giving us any time on the ball. We conceded a penalty just in our own half, Barnstaple ran at us and there were several missed tackles which allowed them to score the first try fairly easily. The second half started with a poor Wimborne kick off which was returned with interest and again there were a number of missed tackles which failed to keep Barnstaple out for a second score. From that point on it was all Wimborne. We had plenty of ball and continued to apply pressure, gaining a number of penalties in their half, which we failed to exploit. Despite the pressure we could not make the break through and lost our first game. Wimborne 0-10 Barnstaple.

The previous result and other group matches meant that in order to finish second in the group and automatically go through to the semi-finals at Twickenham, we had to beat Bedford Junior Blues. We have been in these situations before and wondered what may happen, will it be tense, a last minute try, either way. We didn't need to worry. The lads came out flying from the off. After a period of constant pressure and going through the phases, the deadlock was broken. From a ruck quick ball was moved through the backs to Sam Heffer who made use of the gaps in front of him, found one, went through it and dived for the line to score. For the remainder of the second half the lads although starting to look tired, defended well and kept Bedford out. The second half started with Wimborne kicking off, a high long ball was chased hard and the pressure contributed to a fumble by Bedford. Luis ceased the opportunity, grabbed the loose ball and carried the ball over the last few metres to score the second. From then on Wimborne wore on top, Bedford didn't look like scoring and we saw the game out. Wimborne 10-0 Bedford.

Twickenham here we come!

Sunday at Chapel Gate saw the re-arranged Dorset section of the Dorset & Wilts County Cup. Wimborne were drawn in a tough group along with Bridport, North Dorset, Bournemouth and Lytchett Minster.

First game up was Bridport. The lads took a little while to get going, whilst they had most of the play, the possession could not be converted into points. It wasn't long though before the Bridport defence gave in. After a period of strong rucking, retaining the ball and re-cycling a slick passing move through the backs saw Sam Heffer in open space on the wing convert the first try. The second was not long in coming and followed continual pressure and advancement up the pitch, from a knock on, our scrum was strong, scrum half Peter P dug the ball out and feinted a standard pass but went down the blind side making plenty of ground before being tackled, the forwards in hot pursuit won the ensuing ruck, with George picking up the loose ends and driving over the second. with the aim of moving it through the backs.
The third came shortly after, again pressure in the Bridport half, a loose ball pounced on quickly by George, was scooped up and could not be held up over the short distance to the try line. The final try rounded off an improving first match performance. The kick off from that score was long into our own half, the kick was returned, with James Williams chasing down and getting to the ball first. James then with an off-load to Luis who had tracked his run watched as Luis cantered in to seal a 20-0 win.

Next up were fierce local rivals, Bournemouth. We knew it would be a physical encounter and so it proved. The game was all Wimborne, constantly on the offensive in the Bournemouth half and the lads never came close to conceding a try. The first score followed a sustained period of pressure winning ruck after ruck, then the ball came out quickly to Roddy on the half way line who set off like a man on a mission. He twisted and turned his way up the pitch, his mazy run providing the first score. The second came from consistent forward play, Forward after Forward grabbing the ball and driving headlong into battle always making ground. Bournemouth tried desperately to hold on and tackled just short of the line, Olly with a classic pick and go stealing the final metre to score the second and final try, to win 10-0.

The third match pitched us against Lytchett Minster who we played a few short weeks ago. The match was pretty one sided during the first half with four tries being scored. The first was Peter who chased a long kick down field and in the moments hesitation by the defender charged down the kick, picked up the pieces, running in to score the opening try. The second followed a penalty offence just 5 metres out. A tap penalty to George saw him bull-dozer his way through the defence who could not keep him out. The third was scored straight from the kick off. James Rock catching the kick and returning with interest, was tackled around the half way mark. From the ruck, quick ball to James Williams saw the speedster run the length of the half un-opposed to score. The fourth was again from the subsequent kick off. Mikey catching the ball, turning and marauding up the pitch to the half way line where a ruck ensued. The ball was moved quickly, ending up with Luis who with a mazy run through the Lytchett half scored the try. The second half saw a number of changes and the lads relax a little which allowed Lytchett a consolation try, the game ending 20-5.

The final group game was against frequent opponents North Dorset. This match had the lads back on focus, running in 5 tries. The first of which was Wing, Sam Heffer on the receiving end of a flowing move, in the corner un-opposed. The second was almost a repeat performace with Sam again on the end of the move. The third was a typically strong forwards try with constant pressure, retaining the ball in the rucks and driving on. Olly came close but was held short, Pat in support executed the final pick and go to score. The fourth came from a line out steal, James Rock at the back of the line competing and winning the ball and set off for the line and wouldn't be stopped. The fifth and final try came for another Forward, this time Harry getting in on the act with more of the same. A drive forward by Pat, ruck, reset and drive on again from Olly, reset and final drive over from Harry to end the match 25-0 and group winners.

The play-off match would be against Sherborne which turned out to be a tough one with not a little hint of drama. Whether the gap between matches or tiredness started to take effect the lads were a bit lack-lustre and couldn't get out of second gear. The inevitable happened. After driving forward Sherborne took the lead early in the first half. The lads looked a bit shocked but it was just what they needed to wake them up a little. From then on Wimborne were on top and quickly equalised the score with George scoring after a strong scrum and quick ball to the backs with George on the receiving end of the final pass. The second half was all Wimborne in terms of possession but organised defence and strong tackling from Sherborne kept us out attack after attack. Wimborne tried to utilise the space spreading the ball wide at the earliest opportunity but could not make the decisive break through. Just as time was running out and thoughts were turning to tries scored and so on as to who would progress in the event of a draw, there was a break-through. With virtually the last play of the game the pressure of constant ruck and maul, recycling the ball through the backs saw Luis on the wing receive the ball about 10 metres out, the line in sight, with Sherborne defenders moving across to close the gap. Luis took the ball at speed, a little side step, giving him just enough space and made a bee-line for the try line. Tackled by two defenders just short of the line Luis literally crawled to the line and with an outstretched arm placed the ball down on the try line to score, to set up 10-5 win.

The last gasp score didn't do much for the coaches and parents nerves and it was a bit harsh on Sherborne after strong defence, but that's Rugby! So on to the finals day at Devizes RFC, along with the other play-off winners Oakmeadians who triumphed over Bournemouth.

Well done lads
"The Coaches"

The following have been selected to play for the team at the Dorset Cup which will be held at Bournmeouth RFC...please be there at 09:30 for a 10:00 kick off

There will be 10 teams split into two pools of five, the top two from each pool will play in a semi final and the top two teams will then go to play in the Dorset and Wilts final at Devizes RFC

Mikey Alcock
Ashton Kerley
George Gray
Olly Ford
Harry Wright
Sam Churches
James Rock
Alex Brown
Pat Yeates
Pete Pozas-Esteban
James Williams
Tate Thorn
Luis Granell
Barney Mason
Sam Stroud
James Sell
Rowan Leaton
Liam Robertson
Roddy Mcintyre
Sam Heffer

Once again, parents please ensure they have warm clothing and substantial gloves to keep their hands warm when not playing...please note the only gloves they are permitted to wear when playing are the fingerless gloves.

See you there
Pete and the Coaches

We are due to play Swans away on Sunday 4th Jan 2009...all are welcome...please be at the ground for a 10:00am start.
Happy New Year from all the coaches

	Tournament Winners

The following have been selected to play in the Salisbury Tournament, those players not selected are more than welcome to come to the tournament to support the team.

Ashton KERLEY, George GRAY, Olly FORD, James ROCK, Sam CHURCHES, Patrick YEATES, Mikey ALCOCK, Harry WRIGHT, Peter POZAS-ESTEBAN, Sam HEFFER, Tate THORN, Luis GRANEL, Barney MASON, Roddy MCINTYRE, James WILLIAMS, Sam STROUD, Alex NEWTON.

Training will be at Wimborne on 26th Oct as usual.

The following have been selected to play at The New Milton Tournament Sunday 5th October 2008.
Could you please inform Pete if you are not able to play. For those not selected there will be no training however you are encouraged to come along and support.

Ashton, George, Olly, James Rock, Sam Churches, Pat, Mikey, Harry, Alex Brown, Pete P, Sam Heffer, Tate, Luis, Barney, Roddy, James Williams, Sam Stroud, Alex Newton

For further details on the tournament please go to the New Milton RFC website.