Norwich U9s Vs Crusaders U9s

Crusader’s U9 Italy squad travel to Norwich Rugby FC in great numbers on a ‘balmy’ Sunday morning and face the Lions.

With 21 players available (Holly was injured but still in attendance) the spirit within the Italy group shone brightly, as it has all season.

The morning was broken into 3 sets of 2 matches so all players on both sides could get a lot of game time. Our excellent coaches Pete and Nick rotated players keeping them warm and involved under the watchful eye of general manager Kerry Blinkhorn!!

George, Oliver, Jack, Albert, Sam, Oliver 2.0, Eva, Saoirse, Lyndon, Euan, ,Finlay, Maya, Zach, Eve, James, Felix, Emily, Ethan, Hugo, Joshua and Juan Camillo were all excellent throughout. Passing combinations, bullish tackling and dogged determination with the ball in hand was a joy to watch. Highlights from the first 5 matches were Saoirse bulldozing her way through numerous Norwich defenders and Maya adding to her try tally for the season with sheer grit and determination as the hosts were unable to stop her despite numerous attempts.

The final match #6 was the pick of the bunch with both clubs fielding a strong team. If this is a mini glimpse into the future of our club then we are in safe hands.
Oliver, Oliver 2.0, Ethan, George, Albert, Euan, Zach and Josh were given the nod and the anticipation amongst the parents was best demonstrated by Wendy who was on hand to give the final team a pep talk prior to KO.

Credit most go to both sides as Norwich moved their way through the gears, completing +20 phases of play, matched only by the resolute Crusaders defensive line. With ball in hand Crus were themselves running hard into the Norwich line, eventually the line was breached as Albert crashed over making it 1-0 at HT.
Second half saw Crusaders find yet another gear themselves, running in 4 tries and conceding 1 late on. Collective highlights were the slick passing throughout the team, the tough tackling from both sides and the spirit with which these mini gladiators went about their business. My personal favourite was the time Crus were under pressure and in possession on our own try line and facing an organised Norwich defence. Josh popped the ball up to Albert who made good distance before offloading to Ollie (Monster Truck) who matched his yards gained followed by Ethan (The Beast) doing the same. We went on to score with slick handling from Oliver 2.0, Josh, Zach, Euan and eventually George finishing like only he can. This seemed to me like an intelligent collaborative rugby brain at work. To carry the ball to the halfway line in a safe and controlled manner and then to set up their team mates in new, open opposition territory demonstrates understanding beyond their young age.

MoM went to Albert and Juan Camillo

Congratulations to everyone at Norwich Rugby club for observing an impeccable minutes silence.

No apologies for this indulgent match report, if our usual scribe lets me loose on the keyboard this was bound to happen!!!
Simon.