Crusaders U9s Match Report

Italy - under 9's (some taller than their parents) 29.10.17

Welcome to North Walsham & Beccles who arrived in numbers. Both visiting teams were well drilled in particular there was significant improvement in Beccles who have been well coached in tackling and finding space.
Italy divided into 2 teams
Team Bob (don't ask why) : Zach, Holly, Eve, 2 Ollies (not Ronnies), Hugo, James,Jack, Findlay & Lyndon
Team Geoff (who's he?): Eva, Saoirse, Ethan, Maya, George, Euan, Juan, Emily & Albert ... Felix was a late casualty with a suspected saturday night out injury.. But he turned up to play. Josh had made some excuse about being in Hong Kong!! Saoirse played with a sore throat .. And couldn't scream "pass".
Games started a little slowly (we always do) until Olli B and Albert took charge of their respective teams and put in a few crunching tackles. For the rest of the morning Albert tackled like a young man possessed. Ollie B must have eaten 4 shredded wheat as the opposition simply bounced off him. With them leading each team they punched holes in the defence and set up space for others Ethan, Juan, George "wheels" ,Holly. Hugo and Zach have future "scrum halfs" written all over them .. Fast hands, quick ball and always visible, Zach more so because of his green hair!
Special mention has to go to this seasons new stars Maya, never set foot on a rugby pitch but will tackle until her head falls off, Emily who even when soaked through showed true dogged determination for her team and Findlay, who when given the chance stands as tall as a tree and hears that Crusaders call " though shalt not get past" .. Now little Ollie, quite unassuming but oh my how effective is this lad at getting that ball, passing from the pocket and setting his team mates free. James "pocket rocket" was as slippery as an Eel eating Jelly. Lyndon (always at least 3 Try's per match) Euan (the ghost, he's always on your shoulder) Eva (I'm still going) Juan (our assasin) and Saoirse (grrrrr wanna see my Haka) do what they do best with absolute committment for their team. Saoirse will get that ball take 3 / 4 opponents to take her down and then present the ball to the scrum half, or usually Jack is there sniping around, picking up the pieces, with Felix in close attention, he tackles bigger than his brother (he's 14!!)
There is always room for improvement and once everybody has the confidence to tackle we will be a team to behold. I understand that Ethan has been on £1 per try 50p per tackle .. His mum and Dad need some advice on a remortgage. ? George "Wheels" has added something else to his game, an unselfish pass, he loves to set up a team mate for that final pass.
I think got through everybody but 2 players of the week Holly and green haired Zach.. Well done guys .. A final word come rain or shine or fog or snow we play rugby (parents now hide under a canopy (or is it canapé) turn up tune in don't ever ever give up.
We love this sport it gives back more than you can ever put in. Thank you parents for your unswerving support.
Your Italian Scribe