Well-being and mental health are, quite rightly, at the forefront of our daily lives nowadays. With my team Everton playing Southampton last Saturday – and losing 2-1, my colleagues, Jay Buck and Myles Greenwood (both erstwhile Saints fans) knew I’d be a bit raw on Monday morning. It’s so good that supporters of opposing clubs can put their differences aside and have kind words for each other when times are tough. I’m very grateful for the message that had been attached to my computer screen to help cheer me up:
So that was nice.
Moving on to matters closer to home...
Tomorrow the U13s (Year 8) are travelling to Holme Grange, a new school on the fixture list in Wokingham, where we will be playing Thorngrove and the hosts.
The U13 hockey group have coaching with a 1530 collection.
The U12A (Year 7) team are playing Thorngrove at Thorngrove.
The U12B and touch rugby will have coaching with a 1530 collection.
The Foals (Year 5) and Colts (Year 6) are all at home. Colts A and B are scheduled to play Thorngrove U11A in a triangular on New Piece. Colts C and Cavaliers are due to play Thorngrove U11B in a triangular of non-contact on our Wolvesey pitches nearest to the entrance to the playing fields.
On Bailey and Middle, the pitches further in, Foals A, B and C will play in a round robin with Thorngrove U10 A. Thorngrove’s U10B side will play in a triangular with our Foals Barbarians and All Blacks.
Under 9s (Year 4) have coaching with a 1530 collection. We are working towards their first matches on Tuesday 24 January at home against Stroud.
On Saturday, we have a fixture arranged with Horris Hill. At home, we have all the U13s and all the Colts. Colts A and B will play in a triangular v Horris U11A. Colts C and Cavaliers will play in a triangular v Horris U11B.
Away at Horris Hill will be the U12A and Foals C and D level teams against Horris’ two U10 teams.
Coaching will take place in Games sessions for U13 hockey, U12B rugby, touch rugby who all are available for collection at 1530 and for Foals and Under 9s with collection from 1415.
Good luck to Sebastian N who will be competing in Hampshire Schools’ County Championships in cross-country.
It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the current cold snap which has already caused us to restrict rugby to running and handling due to frozen pitches this afternoon. There will be pitch inspections tomorrow morning.
MATCH REPORTS
Saturday 14 January
U13 A XIII v Elstree
Lost 40-0
Elstree kept up an intensity which we couldn’t quite live with despite good efforts from the team. Being more dominant at the break-down caused us to survive on very little possession and on the back foot when we did have it. We look to be doing the right things in training, but focus will remain on the breakdown, ball retention and continuity in the short term. This is a great group of players with fantastic spirit with whom I would like to develop the intensity and make the effort already apparent, more effective. AJS
Colts A IX v Elstree
Won 35 – 25 (Hamish W 2, Finn R, Charles N, Rhian D, Teddy E, Hugo C)
As days go for playing rugby, this one was almost perfect. Although there had been plenty of rain, it had drained off the pitch leaving the ground soft but firm. Thankfully, the rain held off during the game so handling conditions were good. Elstree was an able side. And a big one. They had three strong ball carriers who were hard to bring down. Nevertheless, Pilgrims' had their answer in the form of Alfie L and Charles N whose tackling was very impressive. But - and as coach this makes me very happy - every player got stuck into the contact at some point or other, be it rucking, mauling or tackling. It was a close for most of the afternoon. In the second half, Pilgrims' took the lead thanks to good passing and team play. PB
Colts B IX v Elstree
Won 50– 10 (Harrison E 2, Bertie B 2, Charlie S 1, William S 3, Jacob H 2)
The Colts Bs had a wonderful start to their season in the opening fixture against Elstree. Played in muddy conditions (and at an angle) the boys coped well in an adjusted format of the game.
The Bs took full advantage of many of the opposition's errors and were able to score quite freely throughout the game. They impressed with their confidence on the ball, and there are promising signs that they are willing to play a physical game, which augurs well when larger, stronger teams come their way later in the season. CXC