| Summer Camp Thursday 24th and Friday 25th July 2008 10.00 am to 12.00 pm
Age 5 to 8 years
Summer fun with a rugby ball and its free! Training • Games • Skills • Fun Experienced coaches
All levels welcome - no experience necessary! Bring trainers, drinks and snacks... and tracksuit top just in case!
The End of an Era Ten years ago former senior club captain Jim Green established Wimbledon
Mini Rugby Club, and last week saw the end of an era as what is now
Wimbledon's Under-18 side played their last match together before moving
into senior rugby. With fork lightening providing a spectacular backdrop
they ran out victors by 21-7 against local rivals Esher to close their
season in joint second place in Surrey's Division Two after seven wins
out of nine matches. Matt McHale scored the first try, later followed by
further scores from Mike Ellis and Guy Tyler, pictured. All three were
converted by Calum Lightfoot. Post-match celebrations, somewhat
different to their days in the Under-8's, included presentations of the
annual awards with Ed Boyd picking up the Player of the Year award but
pride of place was the presentation of special "Ten Year" commemorative
tankards to Callum Dougal, Felix Newman, Sam Thefaut and Ed Boyd Great who have played for this group since it was formed. It was a great day, a terrific season and a marvellous 10 years. Jim, Kate, Andy, thank you.
Sunday Funday For Wimbledon’s Minis Not even the weather could dampen the spirits at last Sunday’s end of season Awards Day at Wimbledon Mini Rugby Club. The season has seen the borough’s leading club continue to flourish, offering mini-rugby to even more local youngsters. This year’s membership again topped 500 with many age groups now fielding three teams. Head Coach Philip Rea thanked the large number of volunteer helpers who carry out a wide range of activities and without whom the club could not operate, but the stars of the day and the season were the players and this year’s award winners were: | Age Group | Player of the Year | Most Improved Player | | Under-6 | Matthew Boucher | Daniel Blyth | | Under-7 | Jack Laventure | Tomer Tarragano | | Under-8 | George Eves | Bethan John | | Under-9 | Daniel Bishop | Patrick Gallagher | | Under-10 | William Johnson | Harry Martin | | Under-11 | Tom Morris | Ben D’Alessandro | | Under-12 | James McGrath | Charlie McKibben |
Next season starts on September 7th and anyone seeking further information about Wimbledon Minis should call 07802 773560 Wimbledon Youth Shine at Count Games The Under 15s provided both full backs to Surrey in its matches against Sussex on 24th march.Both of them played the full match . Erik Tate played for Surrey v Sussex A and Max Allen played for the Surrey Development Team v Sussex B .Both matches were won by Surrey .These were the first games of the season that Surrey u15s have played and the next games are against Kent in April.Erik is also a member of the Harlequins Academy. Victory for Wimbledon U11s in the Sutton&Epsom FestivalA superb day for the U11s of Wimbledon Minis Rugby Club at the recent Sutton & Epsom festival. Eight top sides from Surrey, Middlesex and Sussex played some outstanding rugby, providing huge entertainment for the large contingency of supporters, with the Wimbledon Lions coming out on top with what is perhaps the best result for any Wimbledon minis side. Three pool matches pitched Wimbledon first against Horsham, then Sutton and Epsom (the Surrey Champions), followed by a tie against Old Reedonians. All three matches won by Wimbledon with a display of excellent defence (Alex Kane setting the tone with his first tackle of the day), coupled with an attacking back three, of Houghton, Bracegirdle and Kremer, that our opponents could not match. Kane was also conspicuous with ball in hand, his inside centre O’Rourke giving him ample opportunity and space to exploit. Houghton and Bracegirdle capitalised on turnover ball each scoring a brace of scintillating tries at pace. The semi-final was an epic affair. Warlingham had lost to Wimbledon in the semi-final of the county championship in 2007 and were clearly out for revenge. They dominated the first half, despite playing against the slope and led 7-0 at half-time; again dogged defence keeping them down to just the one try. In the second half, with backs against the wall, the Wimbledon forwards asserted their authority and the front row of captain T. Morris, Dineen and Pierce became dominant in the scrums and at ruck/maul time, and gave the platform for the Wimbledon half- backs, Lynch and Barr, to excel and create space on the outside to level the scores. Despite pressing hard, Wimbledon could not break the deadlock and the dreaded golden try came into play. At this point, however, the momentum was clearly with a confident Wimbledon side and with assured safe hands from the backs they scored in the corner very quickly from the start of extra-time. The final was played against a strong Teddington side. Old scores needed to be settled here too and Wimbledon with their locks, D. Morris and Oosterwyck making powerful insertions into the Teddington back-line early on, scored quickly to generate a two try lead by half time. Teddington came back very hard in the opening moments of the second-half scoring a powerful, forward based try down the slope. Wimbledon rallied, however, and once more settled and played sensible, percentage rugby. In the final minutes each player dug very deep having played every minute of each match. At the final whistle, the team were elated, exhausted and immensely proud of their achievement. Final score 14-7. The trophy was ours, and for keeps! This was a huge performance; but the big prize is yet to be won. The Surrey Championships are approaching fast, and Wimbledon will need to build on this performance if they are to fulfil their promise in the seasons showcase finale. Charlie O'Rourke Lions Coach U11s |
