Minis welcome Berwick for opening match

Inspired by the bonus point win of the grown up Dingers the Duns Mini Rugby squad gathered at the Old High School pitches for their first competitive fixture of the season against their close friends and rivals Berwick last Sunday. In a set of fiercely contested clashes the Bears fronted up to the Bulldogs at P3, P4, P5 and P7 levels for a batch of derby matches that showed that even at mini level the IRB's new law interpretations will allow refs ( or game coaches as we must now call them) to encourage free flowing rugby. The P3 Baby Bears demonstrated that even after only a few weeks training they have the makings of a formidable team, losing out by the odd score in seven in their first match and then gamely battling to a four score draw in their second. Whilst Callum O'Reilly and Charlie Brewis made it onto the score sheet it was good work by teammates Scott Moffat, Archie Brewis and Morgan Burns that paved the way across the whitewash. At P4 level Jennifer Miller and Finlay Hamilton made easy work of graduating to the contact version of the game by taking a try apiece with new boy Andrew Duff demonstrating just how far you can come in a few weeks training by marking his debut with a finely worked try. The P5 equipe piled on the scores in a high scoring tussle with their all black opponents which saw Matthew Sanderson, Pavel Miller and William Rowley take a brace each whilst Archie Bogle ( thankfully fully restored from his injury ravaged 2008/9 season) and Fergus Murray with the try of the day made up the octet. In a tighter battle the P7s in the form of Jamie O'Reilly (2) and Callum Cleasby made up the 3 try tally. A 14 try haul on the first outing of the season suggests that the year ahead for the Bears looks like a promising one. Thanks should be extended to the newly blooded colt Game Coaches who were trying out their level one reffing certificates and who passed their first test with flying colours, and also to the kitchen brigade who catered for the ravenous hordes on their return from the field of play. Next week the minis train ( meet up at the club rooms at 51 Newtown Street at 10.30 for a 90 minute session on Sunday), before taking to the road to the Jed Minis Tournament on 3rd October. There are still opportunities for any potential player of primary school age to join in the fun. Check out the club website further information. "