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Sun 30 Sep 2012
U9s (Year 4)
11:00
Vale of Lune
Rossendale under 9s make contact for the first time !
John Stevens1 Oct 2012 - 21:00
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Rossendale under 9s launched their new season and their first experience of contact rugby on Sunday with 3 games against a well drilled Vale of Lune.
New season , same rubbish weather , thoughts of an Indian summer and the prospect of sporting short sleeves for the inaugural matches were dashed on Saturday night - the eagerly expectant crowd assembled early for the match, encouraged by the improved playing conditions offered by the first team pitch and the prospect of the kids playing their first game of full contact following a long summer of hard work.
The kids have worked very hard to take in new skills over the last 3 months but it's fair to say that the coaching team felt a little apprehension ahead of this debut. As ever, Rossendale were well represented, 15 boys from a healthy squad of 19 turned up and after discussion with a very sporting and accommodating opponent in Vale, it was agreed to play 3 matches and ensure all had a good run out.
Now the results of those games are immaterial - Vale had played a match the previous week and perhaps held an edge but it's fair to say that the Rossendale squad stepped up and put in an excellent hard working shift in all the games.
The third match was a highly entertaining and spirited 2-2 draw with Rossendale fighting back from 0-2 to finish in the ascendancy, and to show that they had grown up in the close season. It says a lot for this group that they continued to train through the summer to be prepared for this new season and the tricky transition from tag to tackle, and this first showing suggests the time was very well spent.
Everyone who played a role on Sunday should be proud of their performance - for some it was the first time in a Rossendale shirt, and the strength in depth bodes well for the season.
There were some great performances as you would expect, but man of the match was deservedly awarded to new captain Rowan Tweedale - The Rowanator - for a typically determined effort. It was great to see Jack Tracey pick up a special award for tackle of the day and it's fair to say that Jack is enjoying the contact !
Champagne moment though has to be a surging run from Luke "Enty" Entwistle to get the equalising score in the final game - great team effort and Luke emerged from beneath a pile of players with the try - sterling stuff !
Second week, into October and already a tournament looms - but these lads are not afraid of the deep end, and on first show, looks like we are in for another exciting ride.
The kids have worked very hard to take in new skills over the last 3 months but it's fair to say that the coaching team felt a little apprehension ahead of this debut. As ever, Rossendale were well represented, 15 boys from a healthy squad of 19 turned up and after discussion with a very sporting and accommodating opponent in Vale, it was agreed to play 3 matches and ensure all had a good run out.
Now the results of those games are immaterial - Vale had played a match the previous week and perhaps held an edge but it's fair to say that the Rossendale squad stepped up and put in an excellent hard working shift in all the games.
The third match was a highly entertaining and spirited 2-2 draw with Rossendale fighting back from 0-2 to finish in the ascendancy, and to show that they had grown up in the close season. It says a lot for this group that they continued to train through the summer to be prepared for this new season and the tricky transition from tag to tackle, and this first showing suggests the time was very well spent.
Everyone who played a role on Sunday should be proud of their performance - for some it was the first time in a Rossendale shirt, and the strength in depth bodes well for the season.
There were some great performances as you would expect, but man of the match was deservedly awarded to new captain Rowan Tweedale - The Rowanator - for a typically determined effort. It was great to see Jack Tracey pick up a special award for tackle of the day and it's fair to say that Jack is enjoying the contact !
Champagne moment though has to be a surging run from Luke "Enty" Entwistle to get the equalising score in the final game - great team effort and Luke emerged from beneath a pile of players with the try - sterling stuff !
Second week, into October and already a tournament looms - but these lads are not afraid of the deep end, and on first show, looks like we are in for another exciting ride.
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