Datchworth Rugby Football Club
Datchworth Rugby Football Club
Datchworth Rugby Football Club
MINI MATTERS – Week 22
Sunday 28th January 2018
Hello Datchworth Mini Section Coaches, Managers, Players, Parents and Supporters,
This weekend Datchworth Mini’s were hosting Stevenage; the temperature was mild and the pitches
were a bit muddy but it sounds as though most age groups enjoyed some good rugby…
Datchworth U6s Vs Training:
The first spell of relatively mild weather meant a record attendance of 25 turned out for the U6s this
week. We are certainly building a healthy crop of young talent and it was great to see so many in
attendance this week for a roll around in the mud...literally!
Due to the wintery weather, last weekend the U6s training pitch didn’t take much to make it a place
where pigs would be just as happy as our under U6s! As we went through the session it was clear
that a number of the team were trying to win the muddiest player award - Skye, I think this went to
you, full marks for the facial muddy war paint!
We started the session with some run and
swerve relays and then ensured everyone
was suitably warmed up with the usual bean
game. Due to the conditions, it was only
right that we squeezed in a game of stuck in
the mud and this set everyone up quite
nicely for the rest of the session which
included ball carrying and try scoring drills,
an assault course and two games of the
teams’ favourite, Bulldog. This is always very
competitive and with 25 players competing
this week it was even more difficult than usual. All the team did
exceptionally well however and continue to improve, constantly
looking for space and showing some great footwork.
I say this every Sunday, but it is true that player of the week is
now so difficult to choose due to all the squad always giving
their best. The enthusiasm and energy from every member of
the team is fantastic each Sunday no matter what the conditions
are like. This week’s player of the week however went to Harry
T. Harry has shown some real focus in trying to improve his
Datchworth Rugby Football Club
Datchworth Rugby Football Club
passing over the last few sessions and this showed in this weekend’s drills. Great performance this
weekend Harry, well deserved!
Datchworth U7s Vs Stevenage:
Our pitch seemed to have turned into a mud bath this morning, however we welcomed two teams
from Stevenage as this week’s opposition.
It was another pretty cold and windy week, but even so we put in a stronger performance against
Stevenage with some great tackling from Felix and excellent running from Bo and James. George did
a great job organising defence well.
We had more players than Stevenage so it fell to Coach Dave to keep the children not playing warm
and motivated, running them up and down the field, chasing one player with the ball to try to collect
the tags. Hopefully our visit to Enfield next week will bring some warmer weather!
We welcomed a new player this week, William, who put on a shirt and belt and got stuck in within a
minute or two of joining us. For a first week, he did a great job, and showed a few of the team how it
should be done. Well done William!
Datchworth Rugby Football Club
Datchworth Rugby Football Club
Datchworth U8s Vs Stevenage:
Three U8 Stevenage tag rugby teams arrived at Datchworth this Sunday. After warming up in our
squads, we split into teams and played some great tag rugby against the three opposing teams. Our
players ran well and showed some great dodging which allowed them to score lots of fantastic tries.
They also supported each other really well ... great teamwork U8s!
Well done to Edward, our player of the week this week!
Datchworth U9s Vs Stevenage:
A nice sharp tackle clinic warmed all the players up this morning along with 30 second bursts of on
your toes mirroring your partner’s movements. The warm up set the tone for the whole session. Our
opponents visited with 10 players so we decided to rotate
our 4 teams around Stevenage. We played 4 × 15 minutes’
continuous games. We had our usual group huddle before
the games and our challenge this week was to turn our
tackling into a form of attack and not let the opposition in
to our half!!
For three of the four games, Stevenage only scored on a
couple of occasions. We turned the ball over on nearly
every other occasion pushing the opposition backwards to
their own try line. Stevenage to their credit kept at it but
we were relentless with every Datchworth player making
hits.
Meanwhile on the training paddock we concentrated on
restarts giving our players challenges from different areas
of the pitch using dummy runners, pivots, loop arounds
and quick passing. The challenge, take the moves in to the game, no one person just running in tries
for fun, emphasis on team. Wow....boy did we see some moves!!
Datchworth Rugby Football Club
Datchworth Rugby Football Club
It was not all about beating Stevenage it was important they got benefit from the session which they
said they did. Nice coaches and players from Stevenage behaviour from both clubs a credit. Balance
achieved.
Huddle at the end, praise for everyone coaches challenge to all, the bar is set high we don't slip back.
Player of the week, Harry Munns who listened and played some great rugby.
Datchworth U10s Vs Stevenage:
After last week’s sub zero temperatures it was good that the kids could actually feel their hands this
week while trying to play rugby! We welcomed a strong Stevenage side and played a round robin
tournament with their team staying on the pitch while we rotated our teams to play them.
Stevenage gave our boys a lesson in rucking which will stand them in good stead going forward. They
showed excellent technique and were very aggressive at the ruck which made it very difficult for us
to gain any momentum. The Stevenage defence was also
strong and they constantly put us under pressure.
It was good to see the Datchworth boys respond to the
challenge and take the opposition on at full tilt. It was
certainly one of the most eagerly contested games we have
had this year. When coming up against sides like this we
need to learn to back our handling skills and move the ball
wide early to use our pace and take the ball away from the
heavy contact areas.
It was great to have such strong opposition and all the boys
will have learnt a lot this morning. Tomas k stood out for his
aggression in both attack and defence and was awarded the
man of the match.
Datchworth U11s Vs Stevenage:
On a pleasant Sunday
morning once again the
U11’s had great numbers
with 23 boys and girls
turning out. First up we
played our blue team but
included Tom P in the
centre so he could hone
his skills in the back line,
every one played well
and we won comfortably
without conceding a try.
What to do next against
the same Stevenage 10
Datchworth Rugby Football Club
Datchworth Rugby Football Club
that played the first game. We decided to restrict our green team to six paces with ball in hand and it
was a pleasure to watch as no one took any contact and we ran in 9 tries in the first half. All in all we
had a really good days rugby, Charlie and James were given player(s) of the week!
I must also mention the effort the Stevenage team put in after being completely over run in two
games they wanted to play a third and never gave up. An example to all Teamwork, Respect,
Enjoyment, Discipline and sportsmanship.
Datchworth U12s Vs Stevenage:
The U12s had another great squad turn-out
this Sunday and it was good to see every
player of the squad make a contribution to
the team. We played two games against a
physical Stevenage Town side but in both
games the handling and distribution of the
Datchworth boys saw us come out on top.
The forwards contest was an even match up
but when we found space the Datchworth
boys were scoring with ease. The first game
was an 8-0 (40-0 in ‘proper’ Rugby scoring);
the second game was 6-2, (30-10). There
were lots of good performances again today
from across the squad; Ronan, Oli G, Kobie,
Owen, Thomas and Elliot were all excellent
with the ball in hand; Nelson and Fabian
were powerful runners this week; Alex
Donovan and Kyle contributed for both
teams today! James Bedford did very well
filling in at full-back, William Paine and
Matthew McGinty were both brave in the
break-down. But this week it was great to
see Jack Ingram get stuck in at the
breakdown and it was really pleasing to see the attitude, commitment, bravery and try-scoring of
Harry King who was our deserved Player of the Week. Well done to all and thanks again for more
great photos from Warren!
Datchworth Youth Rugby – Round Up:
• Datchworth U13s vs Welwyn friendly result: 60 - 10 loss
• Datchworth U14s vs Bedford friendly result: 31-17 win
• Datchworth U15s vs Royston Cup result: 37-10 win
• Datchworth U16s vs Chess Valley Cup result: 50-7 win
Datchworth Rugby Football Club
Datchworth Rugby Football Club
Youth Rugby Sunday 4th Feb:-
• U13s - Training pitch 2 / 3 • U14s - Home Friendly vs Welwyn Pitch 1 - 11am KO • U15s - Training pitch 2 / 3 • U16s - Training/game Bishop Stortford with the U17s • U17s - Away League game vs Bishops Stortford
Girls Rugby Update: Warrior Camp
Datchworth RFC hosted our first Girls Warrior Camp on Sunday afternoon attracting new girls to the
club and boosting numbers for our future u13s Youth squad. We were very lucky to have Hannah
Botterman with us for the whole session and the girls enjoyed the novelty of playing Stuck in the
Mud and being chased down by an England prop forward. Some big thanks goes out to her. After
introducing the newer girls to the game, we finished with what was intended to be some light
contact work. The girls had other ideas and put on a very impressive display of tackle bag
relay. Following the event, we have potentially doubled our numbers of girls in the under 11s and
opened the door to building both an u15s and u18s. We will aim to run another camp before the
close of the season so please keep up the recruiting efforts. It’s all starting to pay off.
The Ladies Touch Rugby sessions on Monday evenings are starting to gain some traction and great
fun is had by those who attend. I’d like to encourage the mums and older sisters from the club to
give them a try. You can either get in touch with Lynne beforehand ( [email protected] ) or
just turn up. It’s a 7.30pm start.
• Datchworth Girls Promotional Video: https://youtu.be/vTFQOMQ9ENU
Datchworth Rugby Football Club
Datchworth Rugby Football Club
Mini Mid-Week Training: Continues - WEDNESDAY 24th JANUARY
• The first sessions are approx. 6:30 till 7:30 and the second session 7:35 till 8:35. Details and
locations as below:
Age Group Time / Date / Location Notes
U10s 6:30 till 7:30 PM – Flood lit training pitch Wed 10th Jan Confirmed Session
U11s 6:30 till 7:30 PM – Flood Lit training pitch Wed 10th Jan Confirmed Session
U12s 7:35 till 8:35 PM – Flood lit training pitch Wed 10th Jan Confirmed Session
Mid-Week Training Pitch Space Allocation as usual at the two-time slots:
Other Club News & Event Information:
Senior Rugby
The First XV enjoyed a solid bonus point, home-win against Hitchin on Saturday afternoon. With
good support the boys came home 25-17 winners. The Second XV also beat Hitchin while the 3rd XV
fell short away against Cheshunt. Well done to the First XV and all of the Senior sides.
2018 Datchworth Rugby Club - Mini and Youth Dinner and Dance:
For those people who secured 2018 Dinner and Dance Payments can I now please ask for any
outstanding payments by the 30th January. Payment of £55 per ticket can be made either by Cash or
Cheque passed to you age group manager or directly to Nicola Howard, (made payable to
Datchworth RFC), or a bank transfer to the Datchworth RFC club account (with reference Name age
group and dinner dance);
Club Payment details:
· Datchworth RFC
· Sort code: 16-00-30
· Account No: 10019884
· Reference – 'Dinner Dance’ and age group
Following confirmation of payment tickets can be collected from Nicola.
Datchworth Rugby Football Club
Datchworth Rugby Football Club
Next Weekend’s Mini Arrangements:
• Next Sunday the Datchworth Mini Section (U7 to U12s) are away at Enfield Ignations – meet at
10AM in Enfield for a 10:30 Kick Off.
Enfield Ignatians Rugby Club
Donkey Lane
Enfield
Middlesex
EN1 3PL
Club house tel: 0208-363-2877
Sunday Parking Arrangements:
Thanks to all the U11 parents who arrived early and helped control car parking this weekend…
Warren S for helping collect the cones at the end of the morning. I am delighted to say that I have
not been made aware of any parking issues from this weekend.
Mini Section Fixtures Plan – 2017/18 Season:
Week Date Datchworth RFC Mini Section
Provisional 17/18 Season
DRFC Parking
Duty
23
Friday 2nd Feb
U11s & U12s – Flood Lit Fixture – Away @ St Albans RFC - Friday Night Game & Social 7PM
N/A Friday
04-Feb DRFC Away Vs Enfield Ignations at Enfield TBC
Youth
24
10-Feb U10s @ Allianz Park Saracens Festival
N/A
11-Feb Training at Datchworth
- U9s Away Vs Bishops Stortford U10
25
18-Feb DRFC Away Vs Letchworth at Letchworth
Youth
26
25-Feb Charles Morris Cup Weekend Vs Welwyn RFC
@Datchworth U9
27 4-Mar
DRFC Minis Vs Chess Valley at Datchworth (U7 to U11)
U8
U12s Training at Datchworth
28
11-Mar
DRFC Minis Vs St Albans at Datchworth U7
29 18- Mar
DRFC Minis Vs Old Grammarians at Datchworth U12
Datchworth Rugby Football Club
Datchworth Rugby Football Club
30 25- Mar Hitchin Festival U7s, U8s, U9
Training at Datchworth, U10, U11, U12 TBC
31
1-Apr
Easter Sunday - No Rugby
Easter Sunday
Closing Notes & Roundup…
It was a mild Sunday morning at Datchworth and while the pitches were still very soft and muddy
from the recent rain-fall we were able to enjoy some good rugby in all of our age-groups through the
Mini and Youth Section; in addition, the girls Warrior Camp was well supported and on the back of
excellent wins for the senior First and Second XV on Saturday it really was a good weekend for
Datchworth from U6s to the over 40s!
Have a great weekend and see you next weekend,
Best wishes,
Andrew
Andrew Howard
Chairman – Mini Section
Datchworth Rugby Football Club