Cleethorpes Junior Rugby Club - Match Reports

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Match Reports Season 2009 / 10 

A BRIDGE TOO FAR FOR HULL AS RAMPANT U-11s ENJOY RECORD RESULTS

After enjoying a season's first victory last week, a confident U-11s hosted neighbours from across the river, Hull RUFC and looked to claim back to back wins for the first time. Welcoming back Jess Matthews at scrum-half, Clee were soon on the attack displaying their trademark passing game. The home pack stamped their authority over Hull, rucking and mauling as a unit and pushing their opponents back towards the Hull try line. Under pressure, the Hull defence were penalised and from the resulting penalty, Nathan Wells ran strong and hard towards the corner. As the Hull defence closed in on Wells, he waited until the last possible moment and released to Matthews to dive over in the corner for the opening score. With Thomas Sampson converting easily, Clee were 7-0 in the first 5 minutes.

Hull hit back with their first attacks of the game but ferocious tackling by Sam Madeira, Janes Kay and Archie Gardner kept Hull at bay. Just when the Clee defensive line was almost breached, Matthews kicked long from 5 metres outside his own line, the wind carried the ball and was chased down by the Clee backs. Under pressure, the Hull defence fumbled the ball allowing Madeira to pounce onto the loose ball and claim the second try. Conversion to Sampson, 14-0 and a rout was on the cards. The whole Cleethorpes team responded to this outstanding start and with a strong wind at their backs continued to play mostly in the Hull half. As half-time approached, James Kay entered the fray, firstly receiving the ball on the half-way line from a tap-penalty kick and running through the entire Hull defence to score. From the Hull kicked restart, Kay caught the ball, assessed the situation and waltzed his way through for a repeat performance. 24-0. Finally, Hull responded and exerted pressure on the Clee back line. After a Clee infringement, Hull supplied the ball to their tallest player, who powered his way through from 10 metres to score and at the turn, Clee were 24-7 to the good. After the restart, now facing the wind, Clee resorted to kicking long instead of passing the ball and soon suffered the misfortune of 2 quick scores from Hull, both converted to bring the score back to 24-21. Surely Hull couldn't pull off an amazing win? Coach Matthew Sampson exerted his influence and the result was amazing. Gone was the kicking and back came passing and running with the ball. Matthews started to weave his magic again, returning the favour on 2 occasions to Nathan Wells who scored after trademark powerful runs. Wells converted his own tries resulting in a deserved final score of 38-21.

After a brief interval, the team locked horns again in the second match with Hull looking for revenge. Unfortunately for the visitors, Clee were in no mood to allow Hull a sniff and, oozing confidence, Clee were quick in the tackle at every opportunity; Jack Fairbrass, Robert Taylor and James Kay preventing wave after wave of Hull attacks. Outstanding performances continued from Joe Senior, Declan Rothenburg and Logan Grimmer in the pack who continued to dominate their opposite numbers. With few replacement options available to the visitors, they could not keep up with the Clee attack and they soon crumbled. Jack Fairbrass supported Jess Matthews following a strong Clee scrummage and dived over for the first of his 2 tries; his second, soon after, was even better. Catching the ball deep in his own half, he took on the Hull defence single-handed, powering through several attempts to stop him and eventually diving over the line. Strong running, counter-attacking and sheer pace saw James Kay score 3 tries and Sam Madeira 2 more as Cleethorpes ran riot, conceding only the one score for an emphatic, record 49-7 victory. This was a truly outstanding performance from the entire team, 13 tries in 2 games, a record for the team, and in a team of stars, Nathan Wells fully deserved his award as man of the match.

CLEETHORPES JUNIOR RUFC U-11s EXPERIENCE DESPAIR AND TRIUMPH AT MARKET RASEN!

Cleethorpes U-11s were forced to send a weakened team to the annual NLD qualifiying tournament held at Market Rasen club on Sun 8th Nov. Under a leaden sky, players and parents officials from across the Lincolnshire region paid their respects to Remembrance Sunday by holding a minute's silence before the competition began. Cleethorpes were then immediately into the action against Kesteven but found their opponents a tough nut to crack. Their normal flowing, passing game was being hampered by wet weather conditions and strong tackling across the Kesteven team, but it was against the run of play that Cleethorpes fell behind. A penalty was awarded following a Clee high tackle close to their own try line and from the set play Kesteven sent a long pass out to the wing resulting in a dive over the line.

After the break, honours were even again until Clee's scrum half Jess Matthews, at the heart of all their creative play, made a break from the scrum and drew the Kesteven defence before releasing to Nathan Wells who outpaced 3 opponents before scoring the equaliser. Defences began to take hold of the game with Matthews, Ross Holroyd and James Kay making tackle after tackle for the Meggies. As Clee began to tire, Kesteven swept the ball across the line from a line out and created an opening for the eventual winner. Final result 5-10 to Kesteven. Cleethorpes' small squad was exposed in the second and third games against Market Rasen and Stamford respectively. Despite Cleethorpes rotating regularly with only 2 subs, both opponents proved too strong. Star man James Kay scoring a consolation try in a 5-25 loss to the home team while in the final game, with several players by now carrying injuries, a very strong Stamford outfit ran out 30-0 victors. Despite feeling disappointed with the outcome after a promising start, despair turned to triumph as Cleethorpes discovered that the late withdrawal of Scunthorpe side enabled the Meggies to qualify for the end-of-season festival at Derby. Aching limbs would rest a little easier on the journey home!

 Jess Matthews attempts to gain possession against Kesteven

Contesting the line-out against Meerkat Rasen

11 October       Cleethorpes U-11s v Scunthorpe       15 - 20

Warm autumn sunshine was the backdrop to Cleethorpes RUFC Juniors hosting Scunthorpe RUFC for the first match of the season. Competitive matches were played at U-10, U-11 and U-12 with varying degrees of success enjoyed by each team.  

With 3 new players in their squad, Clee U-11s started strongly with quick handling of the ball in open play and strong running a feature throughout. Scunthorpe’s defence was being tested from the outset but their pack held firm during the early exchanges. Cleethorpes kept pressing and made the first breakthrough after Jack Fairbrass ran at his opponents before releasing James Kay on the wing to  dive over and score on his debut. Scunthorpe countered immediately driving through the Clee defence almost at will but strong tackling from Archie Gardner, Alex Vasilou and Sam Madeira kept Scunthorpe out. From set pieces, Cleethorpes’ slick passing game began to cause Scunthorpe’s defence several problems; on two occasions Clee’s Nathan Wells was stopped by last ditch tackles after mazy runs but the pressure finally told as a passing move by Wells, Gardner and Jess Matthews, 5 metres from the Scunthorpe line, saw Matthews burst through to score his side’s second try. Once again Scunthorpe retaliated from the re-start and this time they were not to be denied, bursting through some weak tackles to reduce the areas. From then on, the game turned heavily in Scunthorpe’s favour as Cleethorpes defensive work began to falter. Scunthorpe’s pack began to dominate set plays and recycled the ball effectively to deny Cleethorpes any possession. Two further tries in quick succession by the visitors before half-time completed an amazing turnaround and the interval saw Cleethorpes 10-15 in arrears.

The second half saw end-to-end attacking as each side tried to gain supremacy. Cleethorpes were pressing for the equaliser near their opponent’s line when a long kick up-field from the Scunthorpe defence enabled their backs to counter, recycle quickly from the tackle and dive over once more to extend their lead.  Clearly stunned by this further setback, Clee dug in to ensure that their opponents couldn’t breach their lines again. Ross Holroyd, Alex Vasiliou and Declan Rothenberg were terrier-like in snapping at Scunthorpe’s heels every time they tried to attack.  Slowly, Clee began to dominate open play once more and gained reward when the best try of the match was scored.  Cleethorpes were awarded a scrum in centre field following a Scunthorpe infringement. As the ball was released, scrum half Jack Fairbrass released to Callum Williams who ran at the defence before releasing to Archie Gardner on the wing. Gardner evaded several tackles as he moved infield and, as he approached the line, released Jess Matthews to finish the move by skipping past the remaining defenders and scored in the corner on left wing. Clee pressed further for an equaliser but ran out of time as Scunthorpe prevailed 15-20.

In the 2nd match between the sides, Scunthorpe were not able raise their game and strong talking from the Clee coaches brought a swift tightening of the home defence. Tries from Jack Fairbrass and Nathan Wells, both after typical passing moves ending with a sprint to the line, ensured a swift 10-0 revenge outcome. Wells and Ross Holroyd came close to extending the home lead but Scunthorpe were let off the hook.  Star man for Clee in the second match was Josh Brown.

Overall,  Cleethorpes looked strong on the attack with several potential try scorers and can look forward to a promising season. Man on the match for outstanding team performances in both matches was Archie Gardner.

11 October       Cleethorpes U-10s v Scunthorpe        25 - 5

Cleethorpes started the first gamewell until a needless infringement by Taylor rsulted in Scunthorpe being gifted a penalty. Scunthorpes took advantage and following a direct run, managed to cross the line. However, before he coud place the ball down, Taylor managed to make up for his mistake be legally stealing the ball, preventing a certain try. 

The Meggies took the game to Scunthorpe with intense rucking and mauling and some excellent passing and running from Grimble putting the Irons under pressure. Taylor then managed to make use of this excellent teamwork to score for Cleethorpes after a side-stepping run. Despite strong running from Cleethorpes, particularly from Gittens and Capes, Scunthorpe competed well with some good tackling and following a scrum, their scrum half scored a deserved equaliser in the corner. Fortunately, Cleethorpes were not fazed by this and replied with tries from Taylor and Warriner.

The next passage of play was entertaining as the ball moved from end to end with neither side able to gain the ascendency. The Cleethorpes midfield defensive quartet of Thompson, Williams, Traves and McLean played very well with Capes making a text book try-saving tackle. After soaking up a lot of pressure, Cleethorpes then managed to make the game safe at 25-5 with two more side-stepping break away tries from Taylor.

The second game was much closer. Cleethorpes were soon one try down as their defence suffered from a rare lapse in concentration with a Scunthorpe attacker running past five would be tacklers. Fortunately the Cleethorpes front row of Capes (team captain), Thompson and Gittens nullified their opposite numbers, with the outstanding Gittens rewarded for his courageous, never-say-die running, with a try to bring the scores level.  Brilliant tackling by Traves and excellent play at the breakdown by Thompson, King, McLean, Williams and Capes, together with strong running from Grimble and Warriner, provided the platform for Taylor to score and put the Meggies ahead.

Scunthorpe then rallied and pushed Cleethorpes to their limit, resulting in a try for their hard-working prop forward, making the score 10-10.

In the final minutes, with Cleethorpes having hung on with some desperate defending, Taylor set off on the last of his side-stepping runs to score a fine individual match-winning try to make it 15-10 for the Meggies. 

Cleethorpes RUFC Juniors Positive Behaviour Policy (March 2009)

This season we will be playing Tag Rugby or Mini Rugby where tackling is introduced along with line out and scrums. To ensure that the season is a successful one it is the duty of the Junior coaches and all players to ensure that the game is conducted at every level in accordance with discipline and sporting behaviour.The coaches will administer disciplinary procedures if deemed necessary following a serious breach(s) of conduct as defined in the Grimsby RUFC Junior Club Rules and Player’s Code of Conduct (see below).

The coaches and team manager will administer a “three strikes and out” policy to a player(s) where their behaviour breaches these rules and code of conduct. This will involve a verbal warning; yellow card (second warning) whereupon the player will be asked to sit out of training. When the player returns if they receive a third warning (red card) they will miss the following training session/ club match. However, when returning to training following this disciplinary procedure a fresh start will be given to the player and they will be welcomed back warmly.

In return the coaches and team manager will aim to:

·       Develop in all players a love of, and interest in, Rugby.

·       Develop each player’s maximum potential.

·       Encourage and deliberately boost the confidence of all players.

·       Ensure each coaching session is well prepared with the coaching emphasis being placed on the development and acquisition of skill, decision making and understanding of the game.

·       Maintain the highest standards of personal discipline and courtesy during matches irrespective of the result.

·       Present a weekly prize for the player(s) who have displayed development in skill, understanding of the game, team work, personal discipline, achievement etc. 

Junior Club Rules & Players' Code of Conduct

Cleethorpes R.U.F.C. is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the well being of all its members. The club believes that it is important that players, coaches, administrators and parents associated with the club should, at all times, show respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of others.

1.         Recognise and appreciate the efforts made by coaches, parents, match officials and administrators in providing the opportunity to play the game and enjoy the rugby environment.

3.         Recognise that every player has a right to expect their involvement in rugby to be safe and free from all types of abuse.

4.         Understand that if an individual or group of players feel they are not being treated in a manner that is acceptable, then they should tell an adult either at the Club or outside of the game.

5.         Play because you want to do so, not to please coaches or parent.

6.         Remember that skill development, fun and enjoyment are the most important parts of the game.

8.         Recognise good play by all players on your team and by opponents, respect your opponents and be a sportsman – win with dignity, lose with grace.

9.         Play to the IRB Laws of the Game and accept, without question, all referees’ decisions, even if they appear to make a mistake. 

10.       Wear suitable kit for training and match sessions, as agreed with the coach/team manager.

11.       Pay your membership subscription and any match fees promptly

12.       Refrain from smoking, consuming alcohol, and taking drugs on club premises or whilst representing the club at competitions.

13.       Control your emotions. Verbal or physical abuse of teammates, opponents, clubmates, coaches, match officials or spectators is not acceptable.