March 2nd 2008    Under 12s Hampshire Tournament

We were drawn in what can only be described as the "group of death". It was without doubt the toughest group in terms of strength of depth.

We lost our first game against Portsmouth with a try in the final seconds of the game. We drew our second game against Fordingbridge (5 - 5) having taken an early lead. The games against Winchester and Alton were both drawn 0 - 0 with the respective defences very much on top.

We came 3rd in the group behind Portsmouth and Winchester. I was both very pleased as well as somewhat disappointed with the results as the final two games could easily have gone our way.

Under 7s Saturday  8th December 2007

Harlequins Curtain Raiser Cup Competition – The Stoop, London 

Trojans were invited a couple of months ago to enter this prestigious competition for which this was the first qualifying round. The concept of the competition is that we play competitive matches in the morning and then in the afternoon we settle down together to watch live, a key Heineken cup match.

Little did we know then that back in balmy September that we would be squelching out onto remote outer practice fields to pitch-up under heaving skies. Originally the fixture had the lure of playing on the main Harlequins pitch at the Stoop and doing laps of honour etc at half-time. This was never remotely achievable – the main pitch was strictly off limits and even the great international players of Quins and Bristol (Nick Easter, Mark Regan, David Strettle, Dewet Barry were not allowed on until immediately prior to kick-off, However our brave warriors were not to be diverted from the task in hand.

In our group we faced Effingham and Leatherhead, Upminster and Windsor. Bank of England did not show – I think they had no more appetite for black clouds after having dealt with the economy last week. Trojans were represented by an eclectic band of 10 Trojan volunteers (who put the names forward some weeks ago) without realising what they were in for. To progress to the semi-finals, due to take place in March 08, we had to win the group or come a strong group runner-up.

Squad: Jez Traynor (captain), Stan Wyspianski, Dylan Hills, Jacob Heald, Matthew Jackson (2 tries), Ollie Spies, Clayton Parker, Ethan Taylor, Ben Smith, Laurence Newman

Effingham and Leatherhead vs Trojans (Draw 2:2)

In a very tight first game, which was dominated by the whistle – there were a number of attempts by E&L to run at us whilst the young referee tried to make a noise out of his waterlogged whistle, we went down early. Cold hands, wet tags, swirling winds all meant tagging required a different more deliberate technique than normal. However, on the attack it was a different story. In flowing Ba Ba style rugby our young Trojans moved the ball about with a reliability and consistency that in the conditions was highly impressive. Great breaks were made by Stefan, (very mazy on Saturday) Ethan, Jacob and some fine hassling and chasing down was undertaken by Dylan and Jez. A couple of excursions into touch prevented us getting the scoreboard ticking over but we were not to be frustrated. A fine solo try from Matthew set us on our way with him weaving through the middle and ultimately dodging and nicking his way to the line. One parent was heard to say …was that from one of ours ….it was hard to tell – with bobble hat and 6 layers – it potentially could have been anyone.  A superb team effort followed – any one of 4 (Clayton, Ethan, Jacob who were all providing fantastic support) could have scored the second try which ultimately Matthew touched down. Victory looked assured when Ollie fresh on as a substitute burst clear for what appeared a fine try. Unfortunately the referee saw an infringement which even the opposing coach suggested was “really unlucky”. (That would have been 3-1 and game) with 20 seconds left. With the squall picking up the last play saw it go direct to the E&L flyer who scored an athletic solo try in the last seconds. A draw but nevertheless a strong and highly encouraging start from Trojans.    

Trojans V Upminster W  6 – 4

Stefan Wyspianski, Ollie Spies, Ethan  Taylor (1), Jez Traynor (1), Matthew Jackson (2), Dylan Scott, Jacob Heald (2)

Subs : Lawrence Newman, Ben Smith , Clayton Parker

The second match , against Upminster RFC , took place in deteriorating weather with the rain becoming  steadily heavier. However Tojans lined up with smiling faces peeping out from an assortment of hats, jackets and waterproofs , warm and ready for action.  Jez stepped forward and won the toss.

From the start an opening move saw Matthew cut through a rather chilled Upminster to open the account. Upminster gathered themselves and replied , crossing the line ( albeit on their knees) and the referee ruled the try should be awarded. The game set to at a fast pace

Stefan took the pass at the re-start and jinked past the opposition but could not outpace an athletic Upminster defender who caught up with him just short of the line.( despite vocal impetus provided by the coach just behind his left ear) However a quick pass to Jacob providing textbook support a few metres off his left shoulder ensured the try was scored

Tagging  in the conditions proved difficult , with a combination of numb fingers and slippery wet tags , and Upminster came back eventually finding a way through despite  frantic tagging , not least by Dylan, and Ethan, with Matthew and Jez moving up quickly at the restarts to disrupt the attack.

The next phase saw Ollies surging forward on the right wing looking set to score before becoming entangled and crashing into the mud., requiring Clayton to come on as substitute. However a good position had been gained and the restart saw frantic action with the ball eventually passing to Jez who stopped short of the line after a phantom tag call.   A brief moment of hesitation, but  reacting quickly to advice bellowed from the touchline , he crossed the line and touched down. Again Upminster came back to score.

Next to try his luck was Ethan , who spotting a gap from the re-start, put his head down and burst through, not to be caught before crossing the line to add to the tally.

Consistent off-loading from the tackle with excellent support running allowed Matthew and Jacob each to touch down for their second try apiece, with only one in reply from Upminster.

The game was won by Trojans on the back of forward running and maintaining possession with  and secure passing and ball handling, which in the wet and slippery conditions was better than that exhibited later in the day by the hosts Harlequins. The lessons of the first match had been learned and no-one but a foot into touch despite a lot of action on the wings.

PETERSFIELD FESTIVAL REPORT   14th October 2007

A successful (and long) first visit was made to the Petersfield Festival. Following hot on the heels of the New Milton Festival many squads took Development Squads so as to introduce as many as possible to tournament play.

The Under 7s after a slow start showed that they will, with experience, be a force to be reckoned with winning their first medal, narrowly losing to Alton in the final of the Bowl.

The Under 9s (again without anywhere near a full squad) served notice that they will be a force to be reckoned with winning the Plate final against Haslemere two tries to nil.

The Under 10s took a "B" squad and found themselves up against some strong teams.  Their time will come.

The Under 11s had a string of absences at the New Milton tournament and accordingly used Petersfield to give a close to full strength team a run out.  After an uncharacteristic early disaster against the hosts the boys showed great character to qualify for the main competition semi finals.  A typically 1-0 close victory against Havant, the arch nemesis, meant a final against Haywards Heath.  Despite playing well a narrow 2-1 defeat meant that the cup eluded them.

The Under 12s embracing the Development Squad ideal went one better beating Alton in the Bowl final by a converted try to nil.

WELL DONE ALL  - 4 FINALS IS A GOOD DAYS WORK

Gary Self - Mini Chairman

Mini Chairman's Summary of New Milton tournament 7th October 2007

Not a bad start to the season without actually bringing home any silverware.  Eight clubs from Hampshire and Dorset did battle

The Trojans under 8s and 12s were pipped in their respective  Plate Finals.  The 8s saved their best for the tail end of the tournament and some new faces had a great day with a medal on their first outing.  The 12s were in a tight tournament and only lost by the odd try to the eventual winners of the whole thing. 

The Under 7s, 9's and 11s were all defeated in the semis of the main competition.  The 9s drew their semi but lost on count back and the 7s must be congratulated on their first outing performance.  The 11s waltzed through their group unbeaten only to run out of forwards at the crucial point.

The Under 10s lost in the plate semi.

A tough challenge awaits at the Petersfield Festival this week but we all look forward to this fresh challenge

E-Mail  web@trojansrugby.co.uk or phone the Club on 023 8061 2400 (Bar) 023 8061 3068 (Admin)      

This page last updated:  14 February, 2008