U9 - The Saxons
Matches
Sun 10 Apr 2016
2016 Tigers Challenge
6
15
Gosport & Fareham RFC
U9 - The Saxons
Challenge Champions 2016!!!

Challenge Champions 2016!!!

Neil Fisher11 Apr 2016 - 20:31
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Celts power on to take the Tigers Challenge Title!

Day 1 report here

Day 2 started with Celts knowing 2 out of 2 wins would not necessarily be enough but clean sheets would give us a good chance. Warm ups started with Scrum half practice and defensive lines. Celts were told day 2 refs would be tighter on the pop up technique which all teams were using to their ability.

Shoreham RFC were hot on our heels and after they won their day 2 opener 4-0 Celts were feeling the pressure (well, Toby Shaw & I were!).

Our opening match was against Aylesford Bulls RFC, quite an apt name with the size of some of their players! It was surprising that this team had not won a game day 1 as they started strong against Celts matching us try for try as the Celts defence started slowly again. Aidan Bones showed how to do it bringing down a player 3 times his size! Superb commitment! Jack Weeks followed suit with some superb driving tackles. "Sonny Will" William May also showed good defensive strength and Charlie Fisher defended with all his might on our try line. Determined Celts with a will-to-win attitude - they left everything on the pitch! Oliver Smith showed some unbelievable determination in the tackle and still found energy to drive up the other end to score!

Luckliy, as in day 1 our attack was unstoppable with Celts scoring tries at will; Oliver Smith (6), Harrison Bennett (2) and Charlie Fisher completing our highest try haul of the weekend. No clean sheet but a +4 GD after finishing 9-5 winners. A tough opening game for Celts before lunch.

Having played an extra game on Saturday Celts had a long lunch which gave us time to practice our scrum half work after 4 turnovers conceded in the first half. The parents time was also used to spy on the other games where a very tight Edenbridge held Shoreham to a 4-4 draw! Celts needed to win the final game to take the title!

The honour and responsibility fell to Morgan Clayton, Harry Martin, Henry Moran, Charlie Noble, George Popplewell, Jack Weeks and Owen Williams to bring the title home and they didn't disappoint! Some tough tackles from both sides laid down some early markers. Hertford Marvels had saved their best til last and legs were tiring. Jack Weeks continued his strong tackling and Henry Moran stretched his legs well to break through a couple of times. The Marvels also had good last ditch tackles in their locker to the disappointment of Owen Williams. With the score at 2-1 with tries from Owen Williams and George Popplewell some fresh legs were brought on. Charlie Fisher and Henry Shaw added a couple of quick fire breakaway tries to put the match to bed with Harrison Bennett and Oliver Smith adding a couple more late on.

Celts finished 6-1 winners and were therefore crowned undefeated TIGERS CHALLENGE CHAMPIONS 2016!

PosTeamPlayedWDLFAGDPts
1Gosport & Fareham RFC651037201727
2Shoreham RFC642029101924
3Edenbridge RFC632127141319
4Hertford RFC Avengers62132220212
5Aylesford Bulls RFC62042028-810
6Bognor RFC62041228-1610
7Hertford RFC Marvels6006835-270

As always the Celts supporters were outstanding and applauded the teams with a tunnel at the final whistle. Thanks to Neil Williams for his support throughout with the coaching sessions.

A deserved reward meant the boys were treated to a few hours in Butlins - they all opted for the pool! Quite where they found the energy I don't know - Pure Adrenalin?!

Papa Johns provided the perfect retreat for victorious Celts in their club ties - very smart too! Coke Floats all over the place and a sign of things to come perhaps...?

The Tigers Challenge Awards ceremony was held in the famous Butlins RedCoats Arena and Celts were front row in front of a 200 strong audience. A super presentation from ex-Leicester Tiger and All Black Craig Newby saw the Celts crowned U9 Champions and presented with a super trophy - some very proud parents, managers and coaches - well done Celts!

A long weekend with unbelievable commitment and desire to win from all. Thanks to all the parents who made the trip down, cheered the boys on to victory, brought on the water, carried off the injuries, spied on the competition and were generally the best support we could ask for!

Thanks as always to our sponsors Solent Fire Protection Services http://www.solentfire.co.uk/ - please give their page a view.

Well done Celts, on the road to Overton for the Spring Cup next week!!

Monty

Match details

Match date

Sun 10 Apr 2016

Kickoff

12:40

Meet time

11:40

Instructions

Times Now below

Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Main Club Sponsor - LBHS Mechanical and Electrical
MAIN CLUB SPONSOR - P A ROCHE
Club Sponsor - Precision Technical Engineering
Club Sponsor - Thermal Insulation Engineering Ltd
Club Sponsor - Trafalgar Property Consultancy
M/Y Main Shirt Sponsor - DEEP BLUE FINANCIAL Ltd
Main Club Sponsor - B&L FLOORING (UK) Ltd
M/Y Shirt Sponsor - QST Constrution Servies
M/Y Shirt Sponsor - S.I. Digital
Medals and Trophies - KATASTROPHIES