Vandals U11's - 2011 Surrey Festival Shield Winners

Hello All,

The Vandals U11's came good................In the end!

The Surrey B's festival this year fell on the start of British Summer Time, this meant an hours sleep would be removed from parents and more importantly players......The team arrived nice an early in mixed moods, some very chirpy, some sleepy an out of sorts...... The normal warm up took place and it was evident that the team were not fully firing in their usual manner, small but basic mistakes in the warm up did not bode too well for the round of tough games in front of us...However in true Vandals spirit the team were keen to get on the pitch.

Game 1 - Old Emanual

The team took to the field with the knowledge that they had beaten Emanual in the Mitcham semi final 4 - 0, so we were either going to win this with ease or they would be all guns blazing reeling from the loss.... ironically neither of this took place, basic errors were made from both sides and a some what fatigued game ensued.... Neither side really got the upper hand and they shut us down just as quick as we shut them down..... the end score was 0 - 0.

Game 2 - Roslyn Park

This game was always going to prove a tough one as Park have a massive squad size to select from..... However much like the Emanual game the same style of rugby was being played. Both teams were figting the deadlock right up until the young referee gave Park a penalty try decision.... It is clear how in disbelief Chris, I and other onlooking coaches felt about the bizarre decision... More details will follow.... However, the game continued in the same fashion and ended 7 - 0 to Park.

Game 3 - Warlingham

We have played Warlingham in the past and have beaten them more than they have beaten us... With this confidence the team set out to shake off the ill feeling from the Park game, however the Vandals confidence was too high, we scored the first try and then took the foot off of the gas with the feeling of this is going to be easy.... Warlingham fought back hard and after some frantic / panic kicking from us they scooped the ball and had a clear run to the try line.... The try was converted and they took the game 7 - 5.

I think it would be fair to say that the Vandals moral, confidence and mood was dropping very quickly which was affecting their normal style of rugby even more.....the change in performance could be attributed to the 1 hour time change, the recent festival games taking its toll or that the team are naturally tiring in advance of the Easter school break. However it was clear that the team needed to dig deep and rally round as a team as the next game was against Richmond, anothe rstrong side with a vast pool of players to call upon.

Game 4 - Richmond

After a pre match team talk the team stepped on to the pitch with the intention of playing for pride and going home with at least one win under their belts. It turned out that other clubs were performaing in a similar fashion to us and the Vandals V Richmond game was a decider for the Shield final, all we had to do was beat Richmond and concede as a few tries as possible..... The game kicked off and the V's had found their normal and some what expected form, solid rucking and malling, well timed kicking and slick backs play (even the wingers were receiving the ball). After a few minutes the V's went over for the first try, this was followed by a 2nd and then in the second half a 3rd.... All 3 tries were converted and the Vandals took the game 21 - 0.

Although our win put us in the final the organisers were looking and changing the seperate pool places which would affect the overall standings...By chance a Vandal parent was on hand to gently suggest that this would not be a good idea.....

So the pool standings as they finished put the Vandals in the final with Cranleigh.

Game 5 - Shield Final - Cranleigh

The V's were now taking the performance from the Richmond game and applying it to the final..... After a few phases of play the Vandals crashed over the try line to take the score 7 - 0. The game restarted and after some basic errors on both sides the Vandals again went over to take the score to 14 - 0. Cranleigh were not going to o with out a fight and came back to take a score....... 14 - 7, the Vandals then had 2 tries disallowed (held up) although this could be attributed to some late hands under the ball before the ref arrived to check the grounding. After some tense moments the Vandals took the game along with the trophy........

Another sucessful but tough day at the Vandals office for all, however the team managed to hold their nerve even when the going got really really tough and again brought more silverware back to the Vandals club house...

WELL DONE VANDALS, we really are marching on...... The Vandals home festival is taking place on April 10th, we are putting 2 teams out so will need every possible player..... If you have not confirmed your availability please do so.... With out the full amount of players we can not put out 2 teams...

Also, well done parents, not just for your ongoing support and comittment you to the team and club you even kept your calm in light of the bizarre refereeing decisions....

Regards

Barry & Chris.