Ipswich Rhinos Rugby League Club

...TOURNAMENT REPORT...

TOTTENHAM 9-A-SIDE YOUTH TOURNAMENT

29 June 2003

YOUTH TEAMS PLAY FIRST COMPETITIVE MATCHES

Colchester Romans before their tournament at North London

Colchester Romans youth rugby league side played their first competitive games on Sunday when they took part in a 9-a-side tournament at the New River Stadium in Tottenham, home of the North London Skolars. Colchester brought 24 players and made up two squads of 12, each with an equal number of U14s and U15s, one squad playing as Colchester Romans and the other as Ipswich Rhinos. The Romans were first up taking on St Albans Centurions.

Although their opponents were man for man bigger, the Colchester players put in tackle after tackle to stop them from breaking the gain line. The Romans took the lead just before half time with a well timed pass putting Joe McMillan into space to score. The second half saw the Centurions struggle to make ground despite their greater experience at the game, and their frustration boiled over when one player head butted an opponent and was sent off. The St Albans coach decided to withdraw his team and the Romans had won their first game 4-0.

Colchester's Ollie Munson on his way to
a try against North London Skolars

The Rhinos then took to the field against North London Skolars, and despite going 8-4 up at half time through a brace of David Smith tries, their naivety of the rules showed and the Skolars won 12-8. The Romans next took on Greenwich Admirals, a team who had yet to be beaten this season. The Romans took the game to their much more experienced opponents, but again it was a lack of understanding of the rules and tactics of Rugby League that was their undoing, and they were unlucky to lose 12-8.

The Rhinos second game was against a big side from West London. Both sides tackled well but each team scored two well worked tries to go into half time level at 8-8. West London scored soon after the break, but with the Rhinos on the attack a West London player was sent off for a second high tackle and the Rhinos were able to dominate, with Smith and Hutchings each grabbing a hat trick in a 28-12 win.

Colchester on the attack

The Romans final game was against a well organised South London Storm side whose players were well used to playing Rugby League, and it was no surprise that Colchester lost 16-4. With only the top team from each group going through, the Rhinos had to beat Upminster by four tries to reach the final, but the squad has suffered a string of injuries including a cut to the head for Chris Mills, Capper (leg), Blinman (calf), Munson (back), Sarek (thigh), and Tanner (ankle). The remaining players fought to the end but they could not match Upminster who won 16-4.

This was a great learning experience for the new side, and with every other competing side having at least some players who have played Rugby League before, they can be proud of their achievements. Next Sunday the U16s and U14s have 13-a-side fixtures at Greenwich Admirals, and with these games behind them they try to cut down on the mistakes and hope to run their hosts close.

RESULTS
Colchester Romans 4 St Albans Centurions 0
Colchester Romans 8 Greenwich Admirals 12
Colchester Romans 4 South London Storm 16
Ipswich Rhinos 8 North London Skolars 12
Ipswich Rhinos 28 West London Sharks 12
Ipswich Rhinos 4 Upminster 16

Colchester's Rugby Union squad have started training at Mill Road in preparation for the new season. The programme has started with six sessions from athletics coach John Hyland who is aiming to improve to players' speed and stamina. Sessions are every Tuesday and Thursday from 7:30pm.

Reporter: Andrew Sarek


	...TOURNAMENT REPORT... TOTTENHAM 9-A-SIDE YOUTH TOURNAMENT 29 June 2003 YOUTH TEAMS PLAY FIRST COMPETITIVE MATCHES Colchester Romans before their tournament at North London Colchester Romans youth rugby league side played their first competitive games on Sunday when they took part in a 9-a-side tournament at the New River Stadium in Tottenham, home of the North London Skolars. Colchester brought 24 players and made up two squads of 12, each with an equal number of U14s and U15s, one squad playing as Colchester Romans and the other as Ipswich Rhinos. The Romans were first up taking on St Albans Centurions. Although their opponents were man for man bigger, the Colchester players put in tackle after tackle to stop them from breaking the gain line. The Romans took the lead just before half time with a well timed pass putting Joe McMillan into space to score. The second half saw the Centurions struggle to make ground despite their greater experience at the game, and their frustration boiled over when one player head butted an opponent and was sent off. The St Albans coach decided to withdraw his team and the Romans had won their first game 4-0. Colchester's Ollie Munson on his way to a try against North London Skolars The Rhinos then took to the field against North London Skolars, and despite going 8-4 up at half time through a brace of David Smith tries, their naivety of the rules showed and the Skolars won 12-8. The Romans next took on Greenwich Admirals, a team who had yet to be beaten this season. The Romans took the game to their much more experienced opponents, but again it was a lack of understanding of the rules and tactics of Rugby League that was their undoing, and they were unlucky to lose 12-8. The Rhinos second game was against a big side from West London. Both sides tackled well but each team scored two well worked tries to go into half time level at 8-8. West London scored soon after the break, but with the Rhinos on the attack a West London player was sent off for a second high tackle and the Rhinos were able to dominate, with Smith and Hutchings each grabbing a hat trick in a 28-12 win. Colchester on the attack The Romans final game was against a well organised South London Storm side whose players were well used to playing Rugby League, and it was no surprise that Colchester lost 16-4. With only the top team from each group going through, the Rhinos had to beat Upminster by four tries to reach the final, but the squad has suffered a string of injuries including a cut to the head for Chris Mills, Capper (leg), Blinman (calf), Munson (back), Sarek (thigh), and Tanner (ankle). The remaining players fought to the end but they could not match Upminster who won 16-4. This was a great learning experience for the new side, and with every other competing side having at least some players who have played Rugby League before, they can be proud of their achievements. Next Sunday the U16s and U14s have 13-a-side fixtures at Greenwich Admirals, and with these games behind them they try to cut down on the mistakes and hope to run their hosts close. RESULTS Colchester Romans 4 St Albans Centurions 0 Colchester Romans 8 Greenwich Admirals 12 Colchester Romans 4 South London Storm 16 Ipswich Rhinos 8 North London Skolars 12 Ipswich Rhinos 28 West London Sharks 12 Ipswich Rhinos 4 Upminster 16 Colchester's Rugby Union squad have started training at Mill Road in preparation for the new season. The programme has started with six sessions from athletics coach John Hyland who is aiming to improve to players' speed and stamina. Sessions are every Tuesday and Thursday from 7:30pm. Reporter: Andrew Sarek