MINI MATTERS February 14 th 2016

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1 MINI MATTERS February 14 th 2016 Hello Datchworth Mini Section Coaches, Managers, Players, Parents and Supporters, This weekend was a busy one at the Club. Things got underway with the Quiz night on Friday which saw a strong performance from the U9 team! All of the Senior Teams had good wins on Saturday and on Sunday both Datchworth and England had good away wins! This weekend we had the U6s Training at Datchworth and the U7s, 8s, 9s 10s, 11s and 12s finally playing some proper Rugby away at Cheshunt... on real grass... with real mud! The weekend was finished off with the England International in the Club House which I gather enjoyed a good crowd and atmosphere. As the match reports below indicate it was a fantastic morning of Mini Rugby across the age-groups at Cheshunt well done to everyone and thanks to our hosts at Cheshunt. U6 Datchworth There were 14 players at U6 training this week. The U6 squad started with a new warm up of captains ship, follows by some passing, attacking an defending drills. The U6 team moved into a game and the Coaches and Parents could all see the development of all the players in the competitive game situation - we just need to stop them running off the pitch and having to turn the ball over! Seaweed tag finished a great session. Player of week was Edward Howard for some supper tagging. Special coaches mentions to Chloe, Seb and Fitch U7 Match Report Datchworth Vs Cheshunt A dry but cold Sunday morning found Datchworth away to a great Rugby club, Cheshunt. With good numbers we fielded 2 teams of 5 whilst enjoying rolling subs, as ever mixing the abilities and experience we saw some great quick ball, solid try scoring and with a little help from the coaches solid defensive lines. Our U7s are learning to pass before the tag and kept to their channels which is a great advantage at this early age. A fantastic effort from every child playing today. U9 Match Report Datchworth Vs Cheshunt Today the Under 9's put on a strong performance, out-manoeuvring a large and very physical Cheshunt squad. The first game started with both sides trading tries as everyone warmed up to tackle on a cold morning. As the pitch started to get muddier Cheshunt made a series of handling

2 errors and Myles Presence in particular was excellent at exploiting the loose ball and ran in 4 tries in the second half for us to win 6-3. Play ended up being quite tight in the second game due to the slippery conditions, which suited the bigger Cheshunt squad who managed to recycle it through many phases. Our side were taking a few knocks and credit is due to Troy Sullivan who took more than his fair share but really showed his determination going into contact and got two tries in the game. We traded tries and on the last play we almost levelled it but the ball was held up on the line, and we lost 3-4. The last game was quite revealing, as I expected Cheshunt would have the upper hand but our players really excelled themselves with tackling and great offloads. The Cheshunt team started to tire really quickly and we still had our better runners who dominated the play, notably Tom Rutter, ending up winning 5-2. Well done to everyone today on an excellent team effort, and in particular to our player of the week Tom Parman who started with us today and was very effective throughout the games particularly with his tackling. U10 Match Report Datchworth Vs Cheshunt The U10 Squad turned out in force this weekend at Cheshunt and had their best morning of Rugby since November. Split into mixed teams for the first two games we saw combinations, energy, committment and desire across the pitch in both of our teams. In our Green team; Nelson DeWolfe was a force to be reckoned with going forward, always supported by Kyle Haskett and Joseph Marcou who were both rucking with strength, determination and passion. Kobie Richmond continued to show his total commitment to the tackle and breakdown and secured a huge amount of ball for us. George Reilly also put in a notable performance being very hard to bring down with the ball in hand. Harrison also had a good game this week. In our Blue team; William Paine had an excellent morning at Srum Half, we were able to win a lot of ball with Mackenzie Ellis, Thomas Howard and Matthew McGinty all being dominant at the breakdown. James Bedford was again electric and hard to stop on the wing and Ronan Hawes had a good game playing

3 and Warren DeWolfe for the excellent photographs! full-back just behind the line. Fabian Whitfield also had a strong game taking the ball forward and into contact with guts and determination on a number of occasions. We finished the morning with an A game that while close fought we were able to win against a bigger Cheshunt side through good defensive dicipline and commitment across the field... the U10 weekly awards are currently missing but this week we wanted to single out Nelson and William for their performances in all of their games. In total we played 5 games against Cheshunt winning 4 out of 5; it really was an encouraging morning for the U10s after some recent disapointments, the boys are starting to respond to our positional structure and the required committment to the breakdown area was very good considering the lack of contact training and match practice in recent weeks. Thanks also to Mike Hawes for helping with the team this week, U11 Match Report Datchworth Vs Cheshunt 15 players turned up at a boggy Cheshunt ground on a pleasantly dry sunny Sunday morning for the match. 3 games were played, a mixed ability side, a strongest available and finally another mixed ability game. Datchworth played well throughout the morning, with all 15 players making tackles and runs. Particular mention for William Lowe, Stanley and Carter for their efforts in the ruck, Ieaun, Harry, James and Ruby for their tackling, Barney, Sidney, Conner and Charlie P for their handling and Nathan, Shaun, Flynn and Cameron for their all round efforts. All matches were very competitive, and Datchworth had to work really hard to get the results they did. The passing and communication is coming together and improving week by week. We need to work not forcing the pass and go to ground if in doubt. Also we need to be quicker and more committed to the ruck. Overall though a very good U11 performance, and a good set of results against a very competitive Cheshunt team. Match 1 Mixed Cheshunt 1 v. 5 Datchworth (Conner (3), Sidney, Ieuan) Match 2 A Team Cheshunt 1 v. 2 Datchworth (Conner, Flynn) Match 3 Mixed Cheshunt 1 v. 1 Datchworth (Charlie)

4 U12 Match Report Datchworth Vs Cheshunt 15 of the U12 squad travelled down to Cheshunt on a gorgeous Valentine s Day morning, but while love was in the air for many, all we could smell was mud, sweat and the faint whiff of apprehension after such a long time without any sustained rugby. We agreed to play two 20 minute games, and the ground was very soft underfoot with the ball quickly becoming caked in mud leading to some tough playing conditions. First game up and the nerves were soon blown away as both teams got stuck into some great rugby. In the first half Datchworth had most of the possession and territory, but couldn t quite turn it into points despite some strong runs through several defenders by Sam, equally powerful drives into contact from Matthew, and a great run down the line by scrum half Thomas Paine. Thomas was particularly instrumental in securing good fast ball for us in the breakdown, spreading the ball wide time after time, but unfortunately it was Cheshunt who were able to turn their one sustained period of possession into points by securing a try just before half time. Into the second half, and as Callum s tackle count grew by the minute, he was eventually rewarded for his hard work as a storming run down the right wing by Sam was thwarted just shy of the try line, only to be recycled quickly down the line once again by Thomas Paine, and after some deft passing by the centres down the line, Callum crossed the white wash close to the left wing. Excellent full back duties by Connor were also worth a mention with some superb takes under the high ball, followed by some fantastic counter attacks gaining us loads of ground. In the end, we had to settle for the draw 5-5, but it was a fantastic spectacle of rugby for all involved and for the parents and coaches to watch. After a short break, we got into our second game, and this time Datchworth were hungry for the win. Once again, Callum put in a great shift tackling anything that moved, and once again was rewarded with his second try of the morning. The forwards were working particularly well together in this game, and Josh Moffat took a hard earned try after storming through several defenders with the help of George, Callum, Matthew and Thomas Beechey driving him over the line. After some

5 lovely play down the line, Spencer took a try in the right corner to make the half time score 15-0 to Datchworth. Cheshunt had clearly had a good talking to at half time, as in the second half they were far more driven to put in the tackles. We responded well though, with Spencer, Oliver and Cameron all putting in a shift with their tackles. Matthew was ripping well and winning us some good turnover ball, which William Field was able to work from to run through several defenders to take a lovely try in the right hand corner. Cheshunt had no answer to the pressure in the second half either, ultimately we took the win The Parents and Coaches alike were absolutely thrilled with the effort and skills on display today by each and every player on the field. To a man, they all played their hearts out, and the lads should all be proud of both their individual efforts, and the way they played as a team this morning. Communication was evident by the forwards in the pack as well as in the backs, which was an important message to them all before the games, so they are really gelling as a team. Wednesday 17th February Mid-Week Mini Training at Datchworth Mid Week training will continue tomorrow on Wednesday 17 th February - please come along for a 7:30 start under the lights on the back pitch. We enjoyed a good turnout last weekend from the U9 to U12s and had two good sessions for the different age groups. Next Weekend Sunday 21 st February Next weekend we are due to host Enfield Ignations for an all age group Mini Fixture at Datchworth. This fixture is currently on... so plan to be at Datchworth at 10AM for a 10:30 Kick Off. I will communicate any further information through the week. As per previous Mini Matters next Sunday we will be accommodating all age groups on the back field so please make sure everyone has enough space and adjust pitch sizes if necessary. Some areas remain unplayable and the area below the First Team pitch is being recovered for the Cricket Season.

6 Car Parking Duty Sunday 21 st Feb Next Sunday the U11s will be on car parking duty at Datchworth. Forthcoming Fixtures & Events: Week Date Datchworth RFC Mini Section 2015/16 Season Parking Duty Feb Home Fixture V Enfield Ignations all Mini Section meet at 10AM 10:30 Kick Off U11 27-Feb England V Ireland 6 Nations in Club House N/A 28-Feb Home Fixture Vs Welwyn Charles Morris Cup Weekend U10 Fri 4- Mar Mini & Youth Dinner & Brocket Hall N/A 5 th Mar U7 &U8 Saracens Festival Champions Finals Day N/A Vice Presidents Lunch Datchworth Club House N/A 6-Mar Training at Datchworth U9 12-Mar England V Wales 6 Nations in Club House N/A 13-Mar Home Fixture Vs Chess Valley U8 Hertfordshire County Contact Festivals Mar U9s / U10s at Hertford RFC U11s / U12s at Hemel Hempstead RFC No 30 Away Fixture Vs St Albans RFC U7s / U8s 27-Mar Easter Sunday - NO RUGBY N/A

7 2016 Dinner & Dance The Rugby Club, (Mini & Youth), Dinner and Dance has sold out. The event takes place on Friday 4 th March at Brocket Hall. Tickets will be available for collection next weekend at Datchworth on receipt of payment. North Norfolk Holt RFC Tour 2016 (8th to 10 th April 2016) The Holt Touring Party for 2015/16 is as below 1 x U7 Team (6 Players on Tour) 1 x U9 Team (8 Players on Tour) 1 x U10 Team (12 Players on Tour) 1 x U11 Team (11 Players on Tour) 1 x U12 Team (12 Players on Tour) The balance for the Tour this year is due this week by Friday 19 th February. The total price this year for a player or parent is 120 per person. The price for a younger sibling, (under the age of 6), is 52 per person. Dates for the Diary and Coach Development The Age Group Coaching and Management Teams have already seen this table but if others would like to get involved in Coaching or to have an interest in attending the Sports Club or Rugby Club AGM meetings I include dates for your diaries below: Event Date / Details & Location Comments Coach Development RFU (County Development Officer) Coach the Coaches Evening Monday 14 th March Datchworth book with me session to be led by Tom Mowbray (RFU RDO) (between 7 and 9PM) This session is bespoke for Datchworth with new RFU Officer Tom Mowbray please can all Mini Coaching teams seek to come along if at all possible. Datchworth Sports Club AGM Wednesday 23 rd Datchworth (7:30 onwards TBC) This meeting relates to the whole of Datchworth Sports Club which includes discussions around new Officers and the plans for the redevelopment of our Club House to support Cricket, Tennis and Rugby for the next 50 years. Datchworth Rugby Club AGM Tuesday 3 rd Datchworth (7:30 onwards TBC) This is our AGM and defines who and how the Rugby Club is run and taken forward please make every effort to come along and have a say in shaping how your Rugby Club is taken forward.

8 Mini Section - Rugby Club Quiz Night Friday 12 th February A big thank you to the U9s, U10s, U11s and First XV who all entered teams into the Quiz Night held last Friday in the Club House... an excellent quiz from Woody saw a close competition that was ultimately won by the U9 team! Well done to Paul Ward who captained the U9 Winners! Thanks also to Nicola and Sarah for producing an excellent meal that was well received both on the night and by Senior players on Saturday afternoon! U9 Quiz Masters 2015/16 Season! Closing Notes Valentines weekend 2016 was a very successful one for the Club; good Mini Section results on Sunday built on Senior Team successes on Saturday and social success with the quiz night on Friday evening. I am sure everyone is looking forward to getting back to Datchworth next Sunday for a fixture with Enfield Ignations and a chance to play at home, use our tuck shop and of course our bar! See you all next weekend, Best wishes, Andrew Andrew Howard Chairman Mini Section

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