Monday, December 6, 2010

U9s MAINTAIN THEIR UNBEATEN RUN!

Which rugby union team holds the record for the most consecutive games unbeaten (amateur or pro, any age)?
According to Guinness World Records the "most successful team" record is Fielding Senior 4ths of New Zealand, 108 successive games without defeat from 1984-89.

In the last 3 years the TRC Force has won 94 consecutive games! Not bad for a group of boys who started out not knowing much about rugby nor many of the boys on their team.

BUT WHAT A YEAR THIS HAS BEEN!!!


As a group of coaches we couldn’t be luckier than to have the chance to help guide your boys as they learn about the game of rugby & learn to live in the rugby community. They are wonderful boys & Sunday mornings are an absolute pleasure!


The last 12-18 months has seen tremendous growth in this squad, so much so that we are now able to field 2 extremely competitive teams, and arguably the 2 best teams in this age group in the country. Following their first and second finish at the Barclay's Cup earlier this year, they both topped their pools at the Polo Club on Saturday against some of the best teams in the region including visiting teams from HK & KL. Unfortunately the draw meant our teams met in the semi final. Nevertheless, the whole squad stood proudly by as the Force secured the victory under trying circumstances.

These results highlight the success we have had this year in developing this squad into a close knit group who are skilled, fit & passionate, not just about the game, but about playing with their friends. There were boys playing Saturday who have been with the club for 4 years, and some for only 4 weeks, but they still went out and played as one. Under torrential rain, soggy ground and rivers of mud the boys marched on scoring tries almost at will (Force 14 tries, Stormers 11 tries) & with both teams conceding only 1 try each to opposition teams.


Special mentions to Jonah for a real captain's knock leading the Stormers, and Nick W for his driving charges, Jonathan P for tackling every boy who dared pick up the ball and Charlie G for his straight running that carved up the opposition defense! Alex for playing with so much courage despite his recently broken hand & Ted for seeing the light and deciding to play rugby...you're a natural! Joel, Tom C-E, William D, Jamie D, Nick H, Ben J, Daniel, Gus & Anand were all awesome!


The Force has too many stars! Which was most evident with the constant swapping of Dom, Jack & James off the bench. Mr Reliable - Tommaso Gibbs was at his barnstorming best, & Loic (2010 Best Player - as voted by the boys) & Max R (2010 Most Improved) both lived up to their titles. The weather wasn't conducive to expansive running of the ball, but one beautiful combination saw quick passes out to Alastair who superbly drew the opposition players creating an overlap before putting Markus away for a try in the corner. Charlie, Max, Will and the hearty bench of Tom T, Max W, Shiv & Hamish played out of their skins!


To my fellow coaches:


Ian 'Clippy' Gibbs

Dave 'Hopeless Magpie' Hope

Rahul 'I'm not late' Sen

Rob 'my knee's not that bad' Wilson

Phil 'is it hot, or is it just me' Curtis-Evans

Peter 'I shouldn't have had that last tequila' Pallister

and,

Liliana Gibbs - We would be lost without you gorgeous!


YOU GUYS ROCK!!


Thanks to all the parents for making this year just so special. Good luck to Jack, James, Tommaso & Loic on the Barbarians tour to HK next weekend. Lastly, farewell to James & Markus.


Merry Christmas and see you all in the New Year!! We start again on the 16th January!


Cheers!


Brett