Sunday regional training

Remember that regional training is at King's Norton RFC on Sunday. Aim to get there for 12:30 for a 1:00pm start.

The weather is looking as if there might be some snow. Check on http://hometown.aol.co.uk/keanclifford/myhomepage/newsletter.html
to get the latest news.

Steve

Update on Scotland tour

We have one match pencilled in with Murrayfield Wanderers girls, we have a coach quote which we are comparing with the costs of flying. Once we get another team and the travel options sorted we are close.

Ale has tracked down some accommodation options in a hostel and we are looking for opinions from players. Speak to Ale, Tolley or Pikey as your player representatives.

Fund raising - Quiz night at Bromsgrove RFC on March 14 and we will sort out some bag packing and other options.

Steve

Westcliffe coach confirmed

The coach is confirmed as leaving the club at 07:15 on Sunday morning. We need to fill it up to avoid having to use club funds so I'm looking for as many players and supporters as we can.

Let me know if there are any problems.

Steve

Away to Westcliffe

We are off to Westcliffe on Sunday 27 January. Westcliffe is near Southend-on-Sea so is a long, long journey. Due to this we will be taking a coach. As before the cost will be an estimated maximum of £15. If it's more I'll let you know. More importantly we need to fill up the coach to minimise the costs.

We will be playing Westcliffe and Letchworth and looking for a 1:00pm kick off. They have similar problems in terms of changing rooms as us, so turning up in as much match kit as possible will be an advantage.

Steve

Wednesday training indoors

Due to the conditions of the pitches training will be held indoors tonight. Go to the shed for a 7:30pm start.

Do not go over to Westons land.

Steve

Leos U18s vs. Worcester U18s

After a good win against Lichfield/Burton we headed up north to play last seasons cup winners. We played a later kick-off at Castleford RUFC as there had been a girl's development day looking to attract more U15 players to the sport, which we were pleased to support.

The players were all fired up as Leos had knocked us out of the cup last year at the semi-final stage and as we arrived at Castleford they had the cup standing in a prominent position on a table. We had gone up with only 16 players and an injured scrum-half so we were playing a number of players out of position in order to make up a team.

We started off against a team including 5 Talent Development Group and two current England U20 internationals so it was never going to be easy. There was a big pack and a back division that came up very quickly to shut down space. Within the first 10 minutes Twink held up the Leos full-bck over the line and we were under pressure for much of the next 10 minutes. The defence was up to the task and after some aggressive mauling from Leos (which we struggled to contain) we went into the break at 0-0.

After half-time things didn't get any easier but a couple of changes of tactics made the game much more even-handed. We had more time inside the Leos 22, but neither side could make the final break and the match ended at 0-0. The players afterwards agreed that it was the toughest match probably since the cup round last year and the coaches agreed that it was probably the best performance this side has ever put up.

Player of the match went to Twink for saving the try and also for running from her own in-goal area with 4 Leos players between her and her support (and still getting over the half-way line). Put a few hearts in mouths....

Team: Tolley (captain), Trig, Shove, Ghostie, Wino, Lize, Pikey, Spidee, Kimbo, Fidler, Bean, Bob, Jadey-wadey, Nips and Twink. Replacements: Ale and Weewee.

Coach confirmed

Remember we're on the coach tomorrow. Please be at the club for a 9.00am start. There is enough room for parents to come along as well, so the more the merrier. We have 19 players I believe, plus Keith and I so space for a number of other passengers.

Steve

Next few fixtures

These are our next set of fixtures. All due to be done unless I hear otherwise.

13/01/2008		Leos (A)
20/01/2008		Regional Trials
27/01/2008		Westcliffe (A)
03/02/2008		Regional Training
03/02/2008		Stourbridge(H)
10/02/2008		Regional Match
17/02/2008		Welwyn (A)
24/02/2008		National Cup Rd 1
02/03/2008		Lichfield Burton (H)
09/03/2008		Regional Training
16/03/2008		Regional Match
23/03/2008		EASTER
w/c 25/3/08		Tour
30/03/2008		National Cup Rd 2
06/04/2008		Kettering (A)
13/04/2008		National Cup Finals

Steve

Travel to Leos by coach

I have booked a 35 seater coach to take us to Leos on Sunday. It's a long way away so it is an early start I'm afraid. The coach is getting to the club (nearest car park to the main entrance) for 9:00am.

We are due to kick off at 1:45pm so are looking to arrive at 1:00pm to warm up. We can stop on the way (must for 30 minutes for the driver). We will leave at 4:30pm-ish and will get back around 8:00pm. The cost of the coach is £15 per head maximum. If we fill up a 35 seater then the cost will reduce.

There will be no cars going up there and I have paid personally for the coach, so remember to bring your fare along.............

The match is to be played at Castleford RUFC and their web site gives details of the development day that we are part of, so we need to put up a good performance to show the quality of women's U18 rugby.

Steve

Training after Xmas

Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year to you all. Welcome back to the season.

Training starts again tonight Wednesday 2 January (normal times) and this Sunday's match not being on, continues on Sunday over on Cummings Farm.

Steve