Holland Tour - Duinrell May 2009
Vauxhall Motors JFC (under 11's) Easter Tour of Holland - 10th & 14th April 2009
Vrendenburch Tournament Summary
Almost immediately after celebrating their success in capturing the John Hardman U11 division title (on Wednesday evening, 8th April), Vauxhall departed for Holland on Good Friday morning @ 1.30am! This early departure set the trip up totally as the boys had a whale of a time travelling through the night to Dover for the ferry to Calais. This "Jolly Boys Outing" continued onboard and back onto the coach to Duinrell, with Connor and Sailesy in particular entertaining the tourists with their own unique brand of humour.
After the 15 hour journey and a late night the boys were up early to make their first game of day 1 of the Vrendenburch Tournament, kicking off at 9.30am. If the boys were feeling sleepy they were soon shaken out of their slumber as the older and much bigger GDA team proved to be a blueprint of robustness that all the teams would follow. The physical challenge presented in front of Vauxhall was a real test of character, particularly when it became apparent that the age gap between the Vauxhall players and the players of the other teams was 18 months. The majority of the opposition were aged 12 or 13 with one or two as old as 14!
Despite this huge physical disadvantage the boys acquitted themselves very well indeed in all but 1 of their fixtures. They played with tremendous determination and a bucket full of courage, never backing down in front of their larger and stronger opponents. After gaining an honourable 1-1 draw in the opening game courtesy of Liam's scorching equalizer just how much energy the boys expended in that game became evident against a technically inferior team in the next game. Despite goals from Jordan and Sailesy, Vauxhall succumbed to a 5-2 defeat with a number of the players showing signs of fatigue.
They did however find a second wind to take into the final game of day 1 and pushed VV Nederhorst all the way in a narrow 1-0 defeat.
Day 2
Again meant another early start and again the opening game was a tough one. Despite playing extremely well Vauxhall were caught out by the somewhat bizarre rules governing corner kicks. These were taken from the 10 yard marker and meant that the high ball chipped into box caused the much smaller Vauxhall players lots of problems as shown when they conceded 2 headed goals in an opening game 3-1 defeat, with Jordan scoring the consolation.
Games 2 and 3 were chalk and cheese in performance standard. Against the eventual tournament winners Vauxhall put up steely resistance but again succumbed to a headed goal. The following game was probably the hardest of the two days as Vauxhall were made to chase shadows for much of the game and for the first time heads went down.
Despite playing some terrific football that belied their years and was the talk of the tournament Vauxhall were still waiting their first win of the tournament. Could it come against the hosts in their final game?
After talking about their performance standards and the praise it had received the boys set out to end the day and tournament on a high. The hosts maintained the robust approach that had been adopted against Vauxhall throughout but this time the boys, with Sailesy wearing the armband were not going to be denied. They competed for every ball like their lives depended on it and took the lead mid way through the first half with a well taken goal by Steven following a great through ball from Connor.
The game became even more physical as Vrendenburch chased an equalizer. In the heat of battle a challenge, that can only be described as disgraceful resulted in Sam's arm being broken. After a lengthy stoppage to ensure Sam was properly looked after, the game continued. The Vauxhall players now played like they were possessed and never looked like conceding. Once Jacob produced a "Dudek" style save of 2005 vintage, the game was up and a deserved victory was Vauxhall's. The final whistle brought the loudest cheer of the day as the Vauxhall followers applauded the performance of the tournament.
At the presentation the manner in which Vauxhall played the game was recognised and reward with the Tournament fair play award and Liam was selected as our Player of the Tournament after a series of excellent displays.
In summary, not many victories but a lot of admirers were won for the manner and quality of football produced by the boys. This in its self was a real victory.
Well done boys you were a credit to yourselves and the club.
Vrendenburch Tournament Summary
Almost immediately after celebrating their success in capturing the John Hardman U11 division title (on Wednesday evening, 8th April), Vauxhall departed for Holland on Good Friday morning @ 1.30am! This early departure set the trip up totally as the boys had a whale of a time travelling through the night to Dover for the ferry to Calais. This "Jolly Boys Outing" continued onboard and back onto the coach to Duinrell, with Connor and Sailesy in particular entertaining the tourists with their own unique brand of humour.
After the 15 hour journey and a late night the boys were up early to make their first game of day 1 of the Vrendenburch Tournament, kicking off at 9.30am. If the boys were feeling sleepy they were soon shaken out of their slumber as the older and much bigger GDA team proved to be a blueprint of robustness that all the teams would follow. The physical challenge presented in front of Vauxhall was a real test of character, particularly when it became apparent that the age gap between the Vauxhall players and the players of the other teams was 18 months. The majority of the opposition were aged 12 or 13 with one or two as old as 14!
Despite this huge physical disadvantage the boys acquitted themselves very well indeed in all but 1 of their fixtures. They played with tremendous determination and a bucket full of courage, never backing down in front of their larger and stronger opponents. After gaining an honourable 1-1 draw in the opening game courtesy of Liam's scorching equalizer just how much energy the boys expended in that game became evident against a technically inferior team in the next game. Despite goals from Jordan and Sailesy, Vauxhall succumbed to a 5-2 defeat with a number of the players showing signs of fatigue.
They did however find a second wind to take into the final game of day 1 and pushed VV Nederhorst all the way in a narrow 1-0 defeat.
Day 2
Again meant another early start and again the opening game was a tough one. Despite playing extremely well Vauxhall were caught out by the somewhat bizarre rules governing corner kicks. These were taken from the 10 yard marker and meant that the high ball chipped into box caused the much smaller Vauxhall players lots of problems as shown when they conceded 2 headed goals in an opening game 3-1 defeat, with Jordan scoring the consolation.
Games 2 and 3 were chalk and cheese in performance standard. Against the eventual tournament winners Vauxhall put up steely resistance but again succumbed to a headed goal. The following game was probably the hardest of the two days as Vauxhall were made to chase shadows for much of the game and for the first time heads went down.
Despite playing some terrific football that belied their years and was the talk of the tournament Vauxhall were still waiting their first win of the tournament. Could it come against the hosts in their final game?
After talking about their performance standards and the praise it had received the boys set out to end the day and tournament on a high. The hosts maintained the robust approach that had been adopted against Vauxhall throughout but this time the boys, with Sailesy wearing the armband were not going to be denied. They competed for every ball like their lives depended on it and took the lead mid way through the first half with a well taken goal by Steven following a great through ball from Connor.
The game became even more physical as Vrendenburch chased an equalizer. In the heat of battle a challenge, that can only be described as disgraceful resulted in Sam's arm being broken. After a lengthy stoppage to ensure Sam was properly looked after, the game continued. The Vauxhall players now played like they were possessed and never looked like conceding. Once Jacob produced a "Dudek" style save of 2005 vintage, the game was up and a deserved victory was Vauxhall's. The final whistle brought the loudest cheer of the day as the Vauxhall followers applauded the performance of the tournament.
At the presentation the manner in which Vauxhall played the game was recognised and reward with the Tournament fair play award and Liam was selected as our Player of the Tournament after a series of excellent displays.
In summary, not many victories but a lot of admirers were won for the manner and quality of football produced by the boys. This in its self was a real victory.
Well done boys you were a credit to yourselves and the club.
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