We have fixtures against Westbourne House, Chichester tomorrow.
On Friday and Saturday, we play Farleigh, near Andover with U12 and Foals rugby 7s teams at Cothill, departing Pilgrims’ at 0900 and an expected return to Pilgrims’ at 1600. Play there begins at 1100.
Across all fixtures, we see more touch rugby along with its contact counterpart.
Team
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Opposition
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Venue Details
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Start
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Return
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Wednesday 31 January 2024
|
|
|
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U13 XIII
|
Westbourne House
|
Home | Bailey
|
14:30
|
16:30
|
U12/13 A Touch
|
Westbourne House
|
Home | New Piece
|
14:30
|
16:30
|
U12 XII
|
Westbourne House
|
Away
|
14:30
|
17:30
|
U12/13 B Touch
|
Westbourne House
|
Home | New Piece
|
14:30
|
16:30
|
U12 B XII
|
Westbourne House
|
Away
|
14:30
|
17:30
|
Colts A IX
|
Westbourne House
|
Home | Wolvesey
|
14:30
|
16:30
|
Colts B IX
|
Westbourne House
|
Home | Wolvesey
|
14:30
|
16:30
|
Colts C IX
|
Westbourne House
|
Home | Middle
|
14:30
|
16:30
|
Colts Touch
|
Westbourne House
|
Away
|
14:30
|
17:30
|
Foals A VIII
|
Westbourne House
|
Away
|
14:30
|
17:30
|
Foals B VIII
|
Westbourne House
|
Away
|
14:30
|
17:30
|
Foals Touch
|
GAMES - Coaching
|
Home
|
13:50
|
15:30
|
Under 9 Rugby Group
|
Games - Coaching
|
Home | Grid
|
14:30
|
15:30
|
Skiing Group
|
Skiing
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Neutral | Alpine Snowsports, SO16 7AY
|
14:00
|
16:30
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Friday 02 February 2024
|
|
|
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U9 A VII
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Farleigh
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Away
|
14:15
|
16:30
|
U9 B VII
|
Farleigh
|
Away
|
14:15
|
16:30
|
U9 Touch
|
Farleigh
|
Away
|
14:15
|
16:30
|
U8A VI
|
Farleigh
|
Away
|
14:15
|
16:30
|
U8B VI
|
Farleigh
|
Away
|
14:15
|
16:30
|
U8C VI
|
Farleigh
|
Away
|
14:15
|
16:30
|
Saturday 03 February 2024
|
|
|
|
U13 XIII
|
Farleigh
|
Away
|
14:30
|
17:30
|
U12/13 A Touch
|
Farleigh
|
Home | New Piece
|
14:30
|
16:30
|
U13 B XIII
|
Farleigh
|
Away
|
14:30
|
17:30
|
U12 XII
|
Farleigh
|
Home | Bailey
|
14:30
|
16:30
|
U12/13 B Touch
|
Farleigh
|
Home | New Piece
|
14:30
|
16:30
|
U12 7s
|
Cothill 7s Festival
|
Away
|
11:00
|
16:15
|
Colts A IX
|
Farleigh
|
Away
|
14:30
|
17:30
|
Colts B IX
|
Farleigh
|
Away
|
14:30
|
17:30
|
Colts C IX
|
Farleigh
|
Away
|
14:30
|
17:30
|
Colts Touch
|
Farleigh
|
Away
|
14:30
|
17:30
|
Foals A 7s
|
Cothill 7s Festival
|
Away
|
11:00
|
16:15
|
Foals B VIII
|
Farleigh
|
Home
|
14:30
|
16:00
|
Foals Touch
|
Farleigh
|
Home
|
14:30
|
16:00
|
Under 9 Rugby Group
|
Games - Coaching
|
Home
|
13:00
|
14:15
|
Match reports
Tuesday 23 January
U9A VII vs Stroud
Won 13-10
An excellent start to the season. Full of promising signs. Pilgrims’ started the stronger of the 2 teams and raced into the lead. Tries from George B and Abhinav S, along with some excellent ball handling from Josh O and Teddy H meant that Pilgrims’ held a comfortable lead at half-time. The second half saw Stroud grow into the game, which became far more even. A few missed tackles from the Pilgrims’ boys allowed Stroud to close the gap. Into the last few minutes, however, Pilgrims’ got over the line and showed great determination to get a well-earned win. A Fantastic afternoon chaps. Well done. JB
U9B VII vs Stroud
Won 7 - 6
The boys made a superb start to the season in this competitive match against stroud. Both teams looked confident with the ball, attempting to offload the ball to keep momentum on their side. Our boys ran with strength and determination, resulting in several tries being scored. I would encourage the boys to run a little straighter, as at times not much ground was being gained for the number of tackles given away. Tackling and organisation out of possession will be a continued focus to ensure that we are making it difficult for future opposition to reach our try line. Well done boys for a positive start to the season. TMH
U9C VII vs Stroud
Lost 8 – 5
The U9 C team played a touch match against the Stroud B team. Our boys demonstrated a good understanding of these new rules and started the match confidently. Excellent play from Thomas H-P was demonstrated throughout, and he should be commended for encouraging his teammates with his positive and competitive attitude. Occasionally, our organisation let us down, allowing Stroud to exploit gaps in our defensive line to score. However, it was a positive first match of the season. Well done to all the boys. SLT
U8A VII vs Stroud
The boys’ first match certainly galvanized them with focus. I was pleased with the passing, on the whole, in the tricky, wet conditions. When tagged, they made sure they got the pass quickly away to keep momentum. About a bejillion tries were scored by both teams so it became a little difficult to keep absolute score but I have to say I was pleased with the first outing and look forward to Elstree on Friday. AJS
U8B VII vs Stroud
The boy’s match was extremely fast-paced and action-packed, with both teams scoring tries frequently. The Pilgrims boys focussed on their speed and ability to weave away from the opponents, and this was the most common way we found the try line. The boys grew in their defensive ability through the match, learning quickly the importance of spreading out in the defensive line. It was a very exciting first game, and there is much to develop further in the next game. ASD
U8C VII vs Stroud
A fast-paced, try-fest is the only way to describe today’s fixture against Stroud. The back and forth of the ball-carriers saw some excellent running from both teams, with boys not being afraid to run hard and fast. As a consequence, tries flowed easily from the game, particularly from Issac who grew in confidence as the game ran on. A really promising display for the first outing. Well done all. CAL.
Wednesday 24 January
U13 A XIII vs Ludgrove
Lost 40-5 (Sammy P )
This was a bruising encounter with both teams up for the physical challenge. Ludgrove had some big players who were hard to bring down and they scored five tries in the first half. I was really proud of how our team never capitulated. We remained competitive at the ruck, even regaining possession here. The tackles kept going in. The target at half-time? Let’s get a try. This we did, or rather Sammy P did, with an interception of a loopy Ludgrove pass which saw him sprint half a pitch to score and give the Pilgrims’ spectators something to cheer. Ludgrove scored three more in the second half. We look forward to more practice on the training field as we look ahead to Westbourne and Farleigh next week. AJS
U12 A XIV touch vs Ludgrove
Won 7-2 (William S. 4; Alfie L.; Zachery S.; Nathan Z.)
This was an enthralling encounter which saw Pilgrims’ gain confidence and quickly develop an increasing awareness of how to exploit gaps in the opposition’s defence. Despite starting brightly, Pilgrims were guilty of bunching and trying to play down the middle of the pitch too much in attack. They gradually appreciated the need to get the ball down the line and exploit the gaps on the wings, a message which certainly reinforced at half-time. Consequently, this led to some scintillating runs down the left and right wings from Leo L, and William S, leading to some sustained pressure on the Ludgrove defence. Special mention to David Lyu for his attacking and defensive prowess, which proved inspirational and pivotal. AC
U12 B X vs Ludgrove
Won 45-0
The boys played a dominant form of rugby throughout the game's entirety, holding majority possession of the ball by protecting and securing each ruck adequately. On defence (although we were the smaller side), the boys left it all out on the field. A special mention to Yashk and his try-saving-tackle – running from the opposing 22 until our 5 metre and getting the Ludgrove boy into touch. On attack, the boys showed no form of fear by never going backwards and inching closer to the try line on every ball carry. Lovely, continuous and fluid rugby made the game a joy to watch and especially coach. Astounding performances from Charlie S in defence and never missing a ruck to secure, Thomas K on his runs down the wing that gave Pilgrims' two tries and, especially Yashk and his nifty steps and gruelling tackles. AZ
Colts A IX vs Ludgrove
Lost 10 – 35 (Archie W, Elliot Noori)
Ludgrove Colts A is a rugby squad with a reputation that preceeds them. Apparently, they have never lost a game. And they did indeed live up to their reputation in this week’s match against Pilgrims’. However, Pilgrims’ Colts A gave them a thoroughly good competition, putting them through their paces in a match which could almost have been won by Pilgrims’. The score in the second half was 5–10 with one try awarded to Ludgrove, which, from my angle at least, was dropped over the line. So I think we could say the second half would have been a draw if a TMO had been in place!
It was a tremendous team performance from Pilgrims’ with a brave display of tackling from every player, although there is still room for improvement. We did not compete at the rucks as we might have done ,standing and staring too often. But what gave Pilgrims’ the edge in the second half was fitness. Ludgrove were big, skilful bruisers, but only a few of their team could keep up with the pace of Pilgrims’ leaner, swifter approach to open play. Ludgrove were better at set pieces, organised brilliantly, but Pilgrims’ had the edge with the ball in hand, when they had to think on their feet. Archie W captained the side with a composure, determination, and courage which were outstanding. This week’s man of the match goes to Elliot N for his refusal to give up. PB
Colts B IX vs Stroud A
Lost 40 – 0
On a fine afternoon, Colts B warmed up well for their fixture against the A side from Stroud. The open exchanges and passages of play suggested it was going to be a tight affair. That was until Stroud’s biggest player got his hands on the ball! Tackles were missed and the pattern of play set for the duration of the match. However, Colts B doggedly stuck at it and were unlucky not to score on a number of occasions, but in contrast, Stroud’s tackling was efficient and their defence well drilled, too. One stat from the game which Colts B should consider is that they had about 50% of the possession, but came away with no tries. Austin S, Alvin F, Eddie Q and Hal H all made good breaks, but could not find the killer pass or were not supported closely enough to make the gains count and so momentum was lost. I am sure that had Colts B not been up against Stroud’s best (many of which play for local clubs) they would have had greater success. SL
Colts C IX vs Ludgrove B
Lost 20 – 60 (Seb W – 1; Riku K – 3)
The Colts Cs were somewhat outgunned in this encounter. However, they really did put a lot of effort into their performance. The Pilgrims’ boys looked excellent when running the ball straight and hard, and this is certainly a tactic that they should use more effectively as this season unfolds. The Ludgrove lads were big, strong and very skilled, and did not hold back in any way. They also made some bruising tackles on our lads, and I must commend our boys for continually getting up and pressing on. Ludgrove scored 12 tries to Pilgrims’ 4 but there is no shame in defeat for our lads. They were brave and they played their hearts out. CXC
Colts Touch IX vs Stroud A
The touch group has worked hard in practice over recent weeks and have shown great development and understanding. Against Stroud, it was always going to be a tough fixture with absent boys and a far smaller squad. However, the challenge was set for our boys to score a couple of tries and show willing. This expectation was far exceeded. 8 tries in all and some brilliant stuff at times! Freddie W performed brilliantly, along with some great pace in the team from Albert T and Alfie H. An enjoyable afternoon was had, despite losing the match. JB
Foals A VIII vs Ludgrove & Stroud
Wednesday was a fantastic opportunity for the team to get some match practice and refine some skills we have been building upon. The first match in our triangular saw us take on Stroud. Stroud offered a physical presence and passed the ball well. The first couple of phases saw Stroud break a couple of tackles. After that, Pilgrims’ grew into the game. We ran hard with the ball and took our two tries well. The game finished 20-10 to Stroud. The second game was against Ludgrove, who, again, were physical and ran hard with the ball. To our credit, we really turned up in the game. The boys were very competitive at the breakdown, first to the ball and playing with great determination. Ludgrove went on to win 15-0, but even from the first match you could see the development and confidence in the boys. A huge effort. Well done. MTG
Foals B VIII vs Ludgrove & Stroud
Today was always going to be a challenge for our boys, against two well-drilled and experienced teams at Foals level. The main objectives that the boys faced were to make sure they were trying their hardest, to listen to the rules and coaching from the referee and to make sure they enjoyed themselves. All three of these objectives were subsequently met, with all 7 members of the team rewarded with a show-up for their efforts across both fixtures. Cameron and Marek produced several devastating runs and Inigo continued to find form and impress at the breakdown. Targets for us to focus on going into the next few fixtures are running with two hands on the ball, looking to go to ground rather than off-loading and aiming to pass the ball down the line. Well-tried all. Onwards. CAL.
Foals Touch VIII vs Stroud
Won 55 – 25 (Louis L 5, Conner W 3, Rafe J 2, Caspar H)
On a lovely afternoon, the boys enthusiastically approached this game. Despite the pitch being a bit boggy in places (and very much so in one, which caused hilarity at times as a runner became ensnared or lost his footing!), the rugby was fast and smooth. Every time we had the ball it looked like we would score and Louis L in particular (with 5 tries) was just so hard for the opposition to stop. But what impressed me most was the defence; the boys retreated after the tackle well, formed up, and kept coming forward to make their touches – it was all very committed and very impressively organised. A wonderful result, on a highly enjoyable afternoon, as Mr Duncan stepped back into the world of the oval ball for once! ASD
Andrew Short
Director of Sport