MINI MATTERS February 21 st 2016 Hello Datchworth Mini Section Coaches, Managers, Players, Parents and Supporters, This weekend the Mini Section finally returned home to Datchworth for a fixture with Enfield Ignations; unfortunately we were not able to arrange a fixture for the U12s who had a training session in anticipation of the Charles Morris Cup weekend next Sunday. The pitches held up reasonably well considering the recent continued rainfall and most age groups reported an enjoyable and succesful morning of Rugby. The kitchen and tuck-shop were busy throughout the morning and the parking seemed to work ok, (thanks U11s)! U6 &U7 Training and Match Report Datchworth Vs Enfield Ignations You could tell everyone was delighted to be home after a long needed rest for our poor pitches, Datchworth was host to an as ever friendly Enfield mini section. The U6's started the session this week with some tagging to get warmed up and then split into 4 bibbed teams to continue their development of tagging, passing and general match play. The progress is really evident in all disciplines. We finished off with a mass game of bull dog. U6 Player of the week was James Rowley. The U7's had great numbers, as ever 3 mixed ability teams saw the U7's using dedicated set and break always plays, good comms from the two Sam's, multiple tries from Nathan and a spirited improved performance from Oliver W was noted today. It was great to have all the Minis in close proximity, especially for the multi age group parents.
U8 Match Report Datchworth Vs Enfield Ignations The 8s had a great morning of rugby vs Enfield with 3 teams each we rotated the sides between 2 games and a joint skills session which worked well. Thank you to the Enfield coaches for their cooperation and Tom Gillham for coming out of his temporary coaching retirement to help out. Both sides were very evenly matched & despite the strong wind the skill levels on display were excellent. Also great to see the Enfield girls side going from strength to strength. U9 Match Report Datchworth Vs Enfield Ignations The under 9's had an excellent turn out of the whole squad apart from Alby who was sadly ill today, and we significantly outnumbered Ignations who fielded one side. Thanks to the players and parents for their dedication as we are getting consistently high turnout, albeit we need more players still. In the first game we got stuck in right away with a strong line up against their bigger squad. Our pace and agility lead us into a half time lead 4-1. Despite bringing on several subs it didn't disrupt our play and we levelled the second half, ending up winning 7-4. We then played a second game, mixing up our side again, and curiously the match had exactly the same pattern of sc oring in both halves, which we again won 7-4. For the third game we brought everyone on and gave them some players, with the greens edging out the yellows. As coaches we were all very pleased to see the strength in depth developing across our squad of 16 as everyone was making a great contribution. Well done in particular to Theo Wood and Matthew Lewis in getting players of the week for putting in consistent effort throughout, evidenced by mud. We do need to work on spatial awareness and spreading the lines out in both attack and defence, which was more apparent on a big pitch. However we did a great job in pressuring their side into retreating with the ball despite their physical advantage. Our tackling was relatively good but we need to work on avoiding handing off and losing the ball in the tackle by attempting difficult offloads. U10 Match Report Datchworth Vs Enfield Ignations The U10s put in another excellent shift this week against a big and very physical Enfield side. With the Datchworth squad split into two mixed teams we played two 20 minute games against the 12 players from Enfield. In Game 1, Kyle Haskett and Kobie Richmond continued their excellent rucking, building on a good performances last week against Cheshunt. Morgan Macgillivray had a good game at scrum half and Elliot Clifford and James Bedford combined well to find space using their electric
pace. The whole of the team contributed to a good performance although we came up just short losing 4-3 to the well drilled, larger and more physical Enfield team. In Game 2, the Datchworth boys knew what they were up against but to a player they contributed, tackled, rucked and drove forward with committment, lots of players had good games today; William Paine, Matthew McGinty, Thomas Howard and Mackenzie Ellies were all very solid, determined and committed around the breakdown. Lucas Viudez is growing in confidence in contact and with the ball in hand. Thomas Moore scored a hat-trick of tries that laid the foundations for the 6-0 win that we secured in the second game. This weeks player of the week was Joseph Marcou who continues to develop as a strong, hard working ball carrying forward. Sadly this week the U10s had to say goodbye to Max Coltman who is going to play football with Watford. We will miss Max and he will always be welcome to come back to Datchworth. The U10s have put in two really good rugby performance over the last couple of weekends and we look forward to the Charles Morris Cup with Welwyn and the County Festival with eager anticipation. Thanks again to Warren DeWolfe for the pictures of the U10 games! Wednesday 24th February Mid-Week Mini Training at Datchworth Mid Week training will continue on Wednesday 24 th February - please come along for a 7:30 start under the lights on the back pitch. We enjoyed a good turnout last week despite the heavy rain and cold winds; mainly from the U9s who proved beyond doubt that they are most hardy and weather resistant mini age group!
Next Weekend Sunday 28 th February Next weekend is one of the highlights of our Club Calendar; the Charles Morris Cup Fixture with our local friends and rivals at Welwyn Rugby Club. Please be at Datchworth at 10AM for a 10:30 Kick Off. I will communicate any changes or further information through the week. DATCHWORTH RFC PITCH Allocation (28 th Feb) Vs Welwyn RFC Charles Morris 2015/16 U11 U12 Details of the Charles Morris Cup: Rules & Scoring! Both Clubs will play age group fixtures in accordance with the New Rules of Play applicable for their age groups Each age group can play as many games as time allows through the course of the morning. Each age group will nominate 'scored' games as per the list below. Refereeing of scored games will be shared between the Clubs as far as is possible All children will have an opportunity to play in a scored game; i.e. we are not just scoring 'A' games. All of the scored games across all of the age groups are added up to determine a winning club If there is a draw the holders, (currently Welwyn RFC), will retain the Cup. Charles Morris Cup Scored Games 2015/16 Season: U7-4 Scored Games - 1 point per win / ½ Point for a draw U8-4 Scored Games - 1 point per win / ½ Point for a draw U9-4 Scored Games - 1 point per win / ½ Point for a draw U10-4 Scored Games - 1 point per win / ½ Point for a draw U11-2 Scored Games - 2 points per win / 1 Point for a draw U12-2 Scored Games - 2 points per win / 1 Point for a draw
The points ensure that each age group makes an equal contribution to the overall result. We are not taking into account Tries scored to maintain age group equality. The winning Club will be the Club with the most points, (as per above). Car Parking Duty Sunday 28 th Feb Next Sunday the U10s will be on car parking duty at Datchworth. PLEASE Can everybody do all that they can to car share / walk / cycle etc to Datch next Sunday... we are holding the Charles Morris Cup to maintain an important Club Tradition but we don t have the use of the Village Hall Car Park so there will be significant additional pressure on parking. Can I ask Datchworth parents with older children to park at the Turkey Farm Car park, (which will be signposted) to leave as much space as possible for Welwyn and younger children along the Village Green and in the Club Car park. Forthcoming Fixtures & Events: Week Date Datchworth RFC Mini Section 2015/16 Season Parking Duty 26 27 28 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 5 th Mar Mini & Youth Dinner & Dance @ Brocket Hall U7 &U8 Saracens Festival Champions Finals Day Vice Presidents Lunch Datchworth Club House 6-Mar Training at Datchworth U9 N/A N/A N/A 12-Mar England V Wales (4PM) 6 Nations in Club House N/A 13-Mar Home Fixture Vs Chess Valley U8 29 20- Mar Hertfordshire County Contact Festivals 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
2016 Dinner & Dance The Rugby Club, (Mini & Youth), Dinner and Dance takes place on Friday 4 th March at Brocket Hall. A small number of people have had to drop out and there are now 6 tickets available for this event. If you would like to come along please drop Nicola an email: mrsnicolahoward@outlook.com - Tickets will be available for collection next weekend at Datchworth on receipt of payment; tickets are 50 per head. North Norfolk Holt RFC Tour 2016 (8th to 10 th April 2016) The balance for the Holt Tour this year is now over-due. 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. If you are yet to pay please do so ASAP to confirm your place. Further Reminder - 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 evening @ 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 March @ 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 May @ 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.
Closing Notes I know everyone enjoyed getting back to Datchworth for a good fixture with Enfield Ignations and a chance to play at home. Next weekend is an important one in our Club Calendar and I hope we can have a great morning of, inclusive, enjoyable and competitive Mini Rugby with Welwyn RFC. They have held the Charles Morris for two years now and it would be good to see it back at Datchworth this Season. Before the Charles Morris kicks off on Sunday morning there is also the opportunity to watch one of the biggest games of the 6 Nations with England taking on Ireland at Twickenham; there is sure to be a big atmosphere in the Club House for this game, do come along if you can. Best wishes, Andrew Andrew Howard Chairman Mini Section