Sunday 18th April 2010
Havant RFC Festival

Following success at the Bournemouth Festival, Havant was our next fixture where we were placed in a group with Havant Dolphins, Salisbury, Winchester, and Aylesbury. Jersey unfortunately were unable to get to Havant due to the flight ban.

With the withdrawal of Jersey, our first game was against Salisbury after a 2 hour wait leading to a slow start. The team were determined to carry on the success from the previous week at Bournemouth though, with some great play, & our defence remained resolute again. We won the game 3 - 0 with three different try scorers.

Next up was Winchester, a team we had not played against this season. They had beaten Salisbury so we knew it wasn't going to be easy but the boys were up to the task playing some running rugby which saw the ball being passed through the backs and recycled. Two other names on the score sheet in this game and we won 4 - 0.

The games were now coming thick and fast as we had caught up the times and Aylesbury were our next opponents. This game saw more fluid play between the squad and we won 4 - 0 with a further two names on the score sheet. This set up the final game which was against one of the festival hosts' squads, Havant Dolphins. Whoever won this game would win the group with a semi-final game against the runners-up of the other group. T

his was a very tight game and we had to play straight after our previous fixture. Despite tired legs, the squad were determined not to let their line be crossed and the defence was outstanding with a couple of try saving tackles on show. The commitment from both sets of teams was great to see but Wimborne emerged the winners at 2 -0, with a further two different names scoring crucial tries. This set us up with a semi-final against the other Havant squad, "the Sharks".

We started strongly scoring the first try. Havant came back with real determination and, through a blind side break, one of their team out-sprinted our defence and scored the first try to be conceded in 11 games. This really spurred the boys on, they showed some fantastic spirit and played some great rugby, scoring a further two tries with three new names to the scoring sheet. At the final whistle they won 3 - 1 earning a well-deserved place in the final.

This was to see up against our earlier opposition, Havant Dolphins who had beaten Pulborough to win their semi. The spirit and commitment from all the squad was a credit. They defended heroically, determined not to let their line be crossed again. The ball was spun back and forth along the line which created three try scoring opportunities which were seized with powerful running and support play. The squad played superbly throughout the day and ended it deserving cup winners, scoring 17 tries, conceding only 1. Every member of the squad played in each game with full squad rotation and, in full credit to their flowing play, there were 10 names on the score sheet, showing the strength and depth of the squad. The squad also had 5 changes from the previous week to give more players the opportunity to play in a Festival.

Well played to all those that took part.

Squad - try scorers in brackets: Tom Andrews (1), Will Butt (3), Reuben Elcock, Ben Flavell (2), Ollie Longmore (1), Max Mallinson, Alex Mason (1), Luke Mehson (5), Louis Pratten (1), Alex Sands, Marcus Sculthorpe (1), Jack Taylor (1), Ollie Weekley (1), Eddie Wilkinson

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Sunday 11th April 2010
Bournemouth Tournament

Following on from the St Patricks Day Festival, this weekend saw over 24 lads take part in competitive games as we hosted Chelmsford + Cranbrook RFC on Saturday and played in the Bournemouth Festival Sunday. On Saturday, despite spirited performances against bigger opposition (we must use grow bags over the summer) Wimborne lost both games but played with enthusiasm and great vigour.

At Bournemouth, we were up against Ruislip, local rivals Swanage and Wareham, Chelmsford and Camelot from Hemel Hempstead in the group stages. Up first were Ruislip who were a well drilled side and strong in the forwards. We ended up winning this game 3 (tries) - 0 showing great teamwork. Next up were Swans, this is always a tight affair and Sunday proved to be no different. Our backs were quicker than their opponents and, whilst the forwards were significantly smaller, they stuck to their task and won some great ball which allowed us to win by 3 (tries) - 0. After a long break we were up against Chelmsford, who we had lost to the previous day, and were so far also unbeaten. This turned out to be a bruising encounter with both sides defending their lines with everything. Wimborne stuck to the task and probably played their best game of the year, passing the ball across the line and back, recycling possession and we came out winners by 2 (tries) - 0. Virtually straight after this game we had to play Camelot. By this time the squad were visibly tired, nearly conceding a try from the start but they were determined not to let any team cross their line. It was the wake up call they needed and they finished worthy winners by 4 (tries) - 0.

Winning the group put us in the Cup semi-final against Old Leamingtonians, winners of Group 1 beating hosts Bournemouth on the way. With the start delayed due to late finishes of the other groups, the team had to be patient. When the game finally got underway, it was a tough encounter with sterling defence from Wimborne. A couple of the planned back moves opened up the opposition resulting in two quick scores. The game finished 4 (tries) - 0 and yet again our line had not been breached.

The final of the main Cup was the last game of the day and played after the Shield and Plate finals, won by Ruislip and Chelmsford respectively, both from our group stage.

The final was against touring side, Sutton Coldfield, a well organised team with a couple of big boys who were strong in the scrum, ruck and maul. The forwards were going to be up against it and there were some tired bodies on the field with the whole squad having been involved in every game so far. Both Teams played their socks off but the squad were determined to not to let up and they finished up winning 3 (tries) - 0.

The effort and desire from the whole squad was great for all to see and they played some terrific rugby. The defence remained solid all day and the tackling was, as usual, ferocious. A fantastic team performance!

Squad: Tom Andrews, Matthew Buckfield, Will Butt (4), Reuben Elcock (1), Ben Flavell (2), Max Hewson, Oscar Howard, Ollie Longmore, Alex Mason, Luke Mehson(10), Alex Sands(2), Jack Stonell, Jack Taylor, Eddie Wilkinson.

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Sunday 28th March 2010
Wimborne U10's - St Patrick's Day Festival

Following such a successful event last year, the age group entered two squads for the Festival to give more boys the opportunity to enjoy the occasion. It was a very early start with 3 coaches leaving Wimborne at 6:30 (the clocks also went forward so in reality 05:30) containing players, parents and supporters from the Under 7's through to the Under 10's. Unfortunately, due to various ailments, 4 boys were unable to make the trip and the boys were running with 1 replacement in each squad at the start.

The Warriors started the age group playing against Alton and fought out a tough 0-0 draw. Their next game was against Guildford and they ran out winners by 1-0, this put them up against local rivals Fordingbridge which is always a close game and this time was no different playing out a tough 1-1 draw. The final group game was against Reading which was won 1-0 with the squad now having to wait on the result of the final pool game to see if they had won their group. Fordingbridge did us a favour in beating Alton in that match leaving the Warriors winners of their group with the prospect of playing on the London Irish pitch at half time against the winners of the other group.

The Sharks first game was against Oxford, a strong team and eventual group winners, they ended up losing a hard fought match 3-0 but showing some great defensive play. Next up was Aldershot & Fleet which again proved to be a tough encounter where the boys just could not get over the line. Despite several strong attacks, A&F's defence held firm and the Sharks finished losing 0-1. The Sharks were then pitted against Farnham, last year's age group winners, losing 0-2 in yet another game with some great attacking moves. The final game was against Bracknell and it proved to be an even contest with both teams crossing for 1 score a piece. Despite some hard running, the game played out to a draw. The Sharks gave a good account of themselves on the day.

This left the Warriors to take their place in the final against Oxford at half time during the London Irish v Sale game in front of twenty thousand spectators. The team started strongly and crossed the line following a swift attack. They then managed to turn over possession, scoring a second try which put the game out of reach for Oxford with the Wimborne Warriors winning by 2-0.

Also on the pitch at half time, Wimborne RFC were represented by the Under 7's and Under 9's, a fantastic achievement.
Well played to all the boys that took part in the whole day, they were a credit to the Club.

Squads :Tom Andrews, Morgan Ball, Reuben Elcock, Ben Flavell, Max Hewson, Lloyd Howard, William Hurd-Wood, Angus Livesey, Oliver Longmore, Max Mallinson, Alex Mason, Tom Mayhew, Luke Mehson, Louis Pratten, Alex Sands, Marcus Sculthorpe, Jack Stonell, Jamie Tointon, Ollie Walker, Ollie Weekley, Charlie Whitham, Eddie Wilkinson

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Salisbury Festival 18th October

An early start saw the squad arrive at Salisbury ready for a tough set of matches knowing that squads from Bath, Bridgend, Havant and Winchester to name a few were ahead of us if we were to retain the trophy that we had won the previous year.

Our first game was against Winchester who were a well coached team and stern opposition. The lads seemed to be half asleep when we started and we ended up in a very close game with strong tackling from both teams and a Winchester side that were not giving anything in the rucks and mauls. It proved to be a very nail biting first game which we ended up winning 1 try to nil.

Next up was Devizes and despite having discussed what went wrong against Winchester we again got ourselves in to a slow mauling game which kept the spectators on the edge of their chairs but not necessarily pleasing on the eye to watch. Both squads were evenly matched and scoring was not going to be easy. The lads tackled with vigour and were not going to let Devizes cross their line and began to get some superiority in the forwards and we ended up scoring two tries to nil. The lads had not yet played anywhere near their potential with the strength of the squads higher than we had encountered at New Milton.

In game three they were challenged to throw some caution to the wind and get the ball moving through the hand along the back line. We had been passed down a set of shirts from an older age group and the lads had their eyes on wearing these and the coaches challenged them to score six tries and then they could wear the shirts. The challenge was accepted by all and North Dorset did not know what had hit them, the angles and support play from all the lads was miles away from the previous two games and they had the opposition chasing shadows. By half time the lads were 5 tries up, and just after the restart we regained possession and scored stopping the game early, winning 6 tries to nil.

The final group game was against the hosts Salisbury who we had defeated by only one try in the New Milton Festival. With the lads wearing their new kit and determined to win the group to play the winners of Group B in the final of the main Cup they set about their task well. They opened up the scoring but Salisbury were not going to give up and used all parts of the body in attempting to tackle the lads (good job they all have their own hair at this age!!) Once again we got embroiled in a mauling game at times and despite some heroic defending the lads conceded the first try against them with Salisbury drawing level. This spurred the lads on and they regained the lead and scored a third try just before the end of the second half and won the match 3 tries to 1. T

he team topped the group scoring 12 tries, conceding just one and were on their way to the final. They were looking for revenge against a touring Bridgend team however, they had lost top spot in their group to Bradford-on-Avon setting up a final with Bradford.

After a short break the lads got themselves up for the challenge and desire to play a more fluid game. Bradford-on-Avon were worthy finalists and proved to be not only strong but quick in attack also. They opened the scoring picking up a loose inside pass but the lads' heads did not go down and they stormed back scoring a well worked try up the slope. At half time the score was one try a piece and the rules of the Festival were that the team that scored the first try would win if it was a draw at the final whistle. Determined not to have this decide the match, the lads attacked from the start and camped in the opposition half but found it difficult to break the line. We conceded a penalty just short of their line although this was overturned by the referee after a bit of foul play from one of the Bradford-on Avon players. This proved to be the turning point of the match and the men in black scored a try from the resulting penalty to take the lead and from there, they did not look back. They tackled as if their lives depended on it and were rewarded with a final try to seal a great win, 3 tries to 1, which saw them winners of the Cup.

All the squad played their part and in all but the final game, everyone had played in each and every game prior with full squad rotation. At the end of the Festival they had scored 15 tries conceding just 2. The defence was superb throughout and if we can get the ball being moved between the players, together with improved rucking, then things can only get better. A fantastic effort from the all the lads and the coaches were really pleased with the attitude and team spirit that they showed throughout the day. Well done.

Squad: ( try scorers in brackets), Tom Andrews (2), Will Butt ( 5), Reuben Elcock (1), Ben Flavell, Max Hewson, Oscar Howard, Ollie Longmore (2), Alex Mason (1), Luke Mehson (2), Louis Pratten, Jack Stonell, Jack Taylor, Ollie Weekley, Eddie Wilkinson (2).