The long road to Peterborough

This week the Old Scouts played in a two part festival. With a team in the Main Draw and two in the development section it was the perfect occasion for all the boys to play hard competitive rugby. The match reports are compiled this week by Coaches Kelvin Hefford, Ricky Thomas and Marcus Bates.

Old Scouts C - Kelvin
This month the boys are all supporting Movember, and on Sunday it was no exception. It is great to still see Mo’s on display proudly and the Mini Mo Bro shirts being worn with Pride. The theme of Movember this year is to MOve, which is play sport or undertake activity or games every day. My team on Sunday completed this task with style. We had, follow the leader or better known as follow the diversion signs to get to the ground. Hide and seek, also known as where is the pitch, musical chairs, better known as we are now moving to this pitch and hope all the other teams read the programme right and finally hide and seek, or as it was on the day, where is Clipboard man. Joking aside the boys saved their best game for the game we love of Rugby.
First off it was a league of 3 teams with the winners going through to play the winners or some other leagues. The boys came out of the blocks all guns blazing running nice lines and putting some tackles in to be proud of. I am really pleased so day that with the mixed ability group that we had they worked as a team and WON the league, therefore pushing themselves to play some strong teams that won some other leagues.
In the next round we won one and lost one, putting them through to a play off position. They lost that game only just. The result to me didn’t matter, it was what was going on, on the pitch that made me proud to be able to coach these kids. Not just in that final game but throughout the day, even after they had extended periods without games and down time they switched straight back to game mode to play some cracking rugby. They played with Pride, Passion and bravery. They put their bodies on the line for the sake of the team, by the end of the day we had a Bloody Nose, banged head, hurt knees, hurt neck from high tackle, hurt shoulders and probably more. Even when they took the knocks they didn’t want to come off the pitch, not wanting to let their team mates down. This to me is not something you can teach, but something that goes a long way in a winning and happy squad. We’re happiest when the kids are happy playing rugby. If the kids are aching today this is the reason why. I witnessed some fantastic effort from all of my squad and was really pleased when one was selected to be player of the week, it was a hard decision by James as there was a lot of other kids that must have been close as well. So well done to Beau Steel for the fantastic work rate and determination to make the tackles and run straight. One in particular was what we like to call text book and saved a certain try by the opposition.
I managed to have a quick look at some of the other Old Scouts teams and can’t believe the progress all of your children are making, when I see kids that weeks ago would run away from the tackle, now making tackles with smiles on their faces I along with the other coaches I’m sure feel a sense of pride. If your children continue their development like they are at the moment they will be unstoppable forces. Keep up the good work and see you all soon.

Old Scouts B - Ricky
The Old Scouts development team B played at the Peterborough festival on Sunday. The boys played some great rugby, winning their first game 5-3 against St Neots. There was a great display of tackling including three 7 tackle turnovers.

The second game was just as good as the first, with end to end rugby. Both teams gave it their all ending in a 2-2 draw against Spalding, which was a good result for both teams.

The boys finished 2nd in the group.

The semi finals group saw the boys fitness and lack of subs take its toll, but full credit to them they keep going to the end.
They continued to make lots of great tackles but lost 4-2 to Huntington.

The last game of the day was N.O.S.R.F.C vs ON’S. I would love to say that the Scouts beat them, but unfortunately it was to be their day. The Scouts didn’t make it easy for the ON’s thought, with all of the Scouts players putting in some big hits and showing great teamwork. They went down to 6 players twice in the game with injuries and still they worked hard for each other. They just couldn't find a way though the ON’s defence line losing 5-2

Old Scouts A - Marcus
On a wild, windy and wonderful Sunday NOSRFC travelled to Peterborough RUFC for their festival.
On arrival, there was much surprise to see that Coach Kelvin had actually made it and not had his beautiful Douglas stolen off him by the local residents residing in the mobile homes on the industrial estate.
The team in the main draw started off playing Deepings. This game had to be ended early due to our side hitting the max gap in score, thus winning 6- 0. We then met Stoneygate which would be the decider to see who won the pool. This was a close run affair but a 1 - 0 victory was probably not a true reflection, as they were never going to get the past the demonic tackling of Thomas Reilly.
Next up was ON's.... An easy 3 - 0 win, which included the ON's coach being told off by the referee.. ! Next up Oundle. We were 1- 0 down at the break and going into the last two minutes we battered their line. We got over, and got the draw to send us into the final against Stamford.
The final was a tough one. Weary legs and minds having been battered by the wind all day and we were 2- 0 down at half time. After 2 disallowed tries, we finally got one and you had a sense we were in with a shout. Sadly our efforts at flowing rugby led to an interception which meant we lost 3 -1.
The message however is clear: boys defended like trojans, they applied themselves like limpets do to rocks, and they fought like gladiators in the ring. Onwards and upwards, with some real focus to come on attacking rugby....!