Our minis section have been incredible throughout the season, growing from strength to strength in all areas of the game. With a very strong number of players throughout the section heading to Uckfield this last weekend for our final festival of the season, our coaches have provided a short match report for each age group:

Under 7s
The Under 7s took 3 teams to Uckfield festival on a very un-rugby like scorcher of a day.
The progress all the children have made this year was very noticeable, one comment from another team coach questioned if one our players fancied the England winger position after getting 10 tags in a row on the same play. Even players who have been new and needed to gain confidence scored tries, giving everyone a much needed boost.

What we were really impressed with were those players passing the ball to their team mates before being tagged. Next year, when there is a 6 tag turnover, this will make all the difference. As coaches and manager we could not be more proud of the development, resilience and team work of this squad. We are looking forward to next year in the under 8s and finally being allowed to dive for those tries!!

Under 8s
For yet another festival our Under 8s were able to put out 3 teams for, what can only be described as, an unprecedented scorcher of a day at Uckfield festival. Teams Blue, White and Red all worked incredibly hard, playing 5 matches each without subs. The standard of rugby throughout the day was excellent, with a noticeable change in progression.

Team Blue went unbeaten, and were the only team on the day (according to the opposition) who managed to beat touring side Richmond RFC for the U8s, culminating in an invite to have a friendly next season. With incredible tagging skills from Dylan, Tom and Max, amazing runs and speed from Enzo, fearless leadership skills from Isobel and game winning turnovers and interceptions from Jasper E-S, this team really were incredible. We even had coaches and players from other teams coming to watch the magic on the pitch unfold ... although this may have been from excited and noisy parent cheering.

Team White managed to win 4 of 5 matches with some very tough competition, with an only loss to Seaford RFC. The players worked well together, working hard on moving the ball around the pitch and offloading before being tagged. Team captain Louie worked hard as usual, creating space and running lines. Eddie and Rafe were brilliant in defence ensuring that the opposition found it difficult to get to the try line, Sebastian and Aidan ran some incredible lines and scored brilliant tries. Toby, who also won player of the tournament for Team White put his body on the line in some of the most committed tag tackles we have seen all year!

Team Red managed two win 3 of 5 matches, with narrow losses to Richmond RFC and East Grinstead RFC. The team held their heads high and worked hard together and making big progression. Team Captain Hugo was his usual pocket-rocket speed demon, running lines aggressively and quickly. Will and Jacob took up 'flanker' style roles, tagging at every opportunity and breaking the defensive lines. Ellie and Emily shone bright representing girls in rugby with aggressive runs and some great tries. Finley was exemplary in his masterclass in breaking through the defence with one team surrounding him but refusing to take his tags. In one match against East Grinstead Finley and a matching opponent collided like the clash of the titans, bringing sounds of 'ooooowwwwwhhh' to the crowds, as both boys smiled and played on!

It is safe to say that our U8s have loved this year, our coaches are super proud of our team and we are all very happy to be losing our tags ready for contact next season!

Under 9s
Under the roasting April sun, the Under 9s once again did us proud. We took 2 teams to the traditional season finale festival at Uckfield. Both teams showed tremendous grit - despite the less than inviting rock-hard ground that awaited them on every tackle! Uckfield is usually a mud bath - so a number of parents, players and coaches were initially standing around blinking in confusion at what that big yellow ball in the sky could possibly be and what on earth it was doing at the Uckfield festival!

As well as regular opponents like Heathfield, Seaford, Crowborough and Uckfield, both teams also had the opportunity to try out their skills against teams with great rugby pedigree that we rarely see at our local festivals. Tunbridge Wells RFC brought 4 teams, and we played three of them over the two pools! In addition, Richmond RFC provided a stiff test with their teams. In both cases, our teams gave as good as they got - showing great line-speed in defence and dynamism in attack.

Against the hosts, we had the opportunity to line up against a regular opponent who goes by the apt nickname of ‘Little Tank’. Our players did brilliantly, consistently teaming up against his drives and managing to drive him backwards on more than one occasion! Of course, at the end handshakes were exchanged all round and all the players revelled in the camaraderie of the battle - showcasing the true Spirit of Rugby!

Under 10s
The Under 10s took two teams each with 4 replacements to the Uckfield Festival and a day in the sunshine. Both teams made their trademark slow start in match 1 but got going in their next four matches.

Team 1 found themselves against new high-quality opposition from Richmond (on a short tour in East Sussex) and known good opposition from Tunbridge Wells 1, Uckfield 1, Crowborough 1 and Lewes 1. We turned out winners in three games with some excellent try scoring performances from Cassidy and Hugo, but all were close and enjoyable. The whole squad put their all into every aspect of every match especially as this was the last festival of the season.

Team 2 found also themselves against good opposition from Eastbourne, Tunbridge Wells, Seaford, Lewes and Haywards Heath. They also made a slow start but thereafter they gave three excellent performances that were good to watch. The whole squad showed maximum effort and enthusiasm even to the point of volunteering for extra games in Team 1 at the end of the morning. A special mention is to be made of Ashish and Jack for their link play and some good runs by Ralph. Also, special mentions and appreciation for Luke and Harbin who helped out by playing some games for the opposition.

The spirit in all matches, not just our own, was what you hope for in rugby, hard fought, respectful of each other and enjoyed right to the end.

The whole squad said their thanks and goodbyes to coaches Ronan, James and Dan who are moving on for next season but no doubt our paths will cross! Last but not least thank you to the parents for their support not just for this outing but for all our training sessions, joint training sessions away from home, one off friendlies and the other tournaments and festivals throughout the season.

Under 11s
REPORT COMING SOON