We descended on Ross-on-Wye PGL last Friday night bright eyed and extremely excited. Six player dormitories remained that way well into the night...there was less spring in their youthful step first thing Saturday morning!

A hearty breakfast of baked beans propelled them onto their first activity of the day. PGL was chosen to provide an opportunity to encourage teamwork and build confidence, activities included abseiling, survivor, orienteering and archery were included in the day’s schedule. A breakaway coaches game of basketball only served to reinforce the players opinion that we were old and lacking any talent. On a brighter note, we avoided the worst of the weather and the boys successfully completed their activities, ate dinner and hunkered down for a late film and the obligatory sweet-fest. Fortunately, bed and sleep soon followed.

Sunday Match day - we checked out (don’t think hotel) and said a big thank you and travelled the short journey to Hereford RFC looking the part wearing their new tour training tops. The U11s two squads played a triangular series of matches against Hereford and Bromyard RFC, whilst the U12s played one longer match against the hosts divided into 15 minute quarters.

Both U12s and U11s match reports are to be found on their respective web pages.

A match tea without baked beans was much appreciated. Barry Dymott, who sponsored the teams, was there to watch and Chinnor captains Vaughan and Lloyd then presented Hereford RFC with a Chinnor plaque for their clubhouse and some kind and well delivered words of thanks. Well done to all the U11s and U12s. You made Chinnor Rugby Club proud…again.

On Sunday evening we returned to Kingsey Road bleary eyed but already planning next year.

Thank you again to all Chinnor members who gave the boys money on fund raising afternoons and to all our sponsors - FROM, City AM, Forsters, Dymott Builders, Rathbones, Avtel, Lancasters and Hamnett Hayward. Final thanks go to Hereford RFC who made the all the tourists very welcome.