Eartha Kit Sings at the Christmas Party 6th December

Two long sleeved P & G rugby tops have gone missing from the changing rooms in the last two weeks. Could you please check your kit bags and make sure all kit is named or labelled as it costs money to replace.

 Christmas Party

Christmas Party reminder – Please bring food telling Caroline or Aisling what you are bringing

Caroline = cmwestgate@hotmail.com

Aisling    = anabs8@btinternet.com

- Bring a present for a child in hospital wrapped and labelled with age and gender.

 

Bring a bauble for each child to decorate the new tree we are buying for the club

Thanks Jo

Youth Section: Under 13’s Squad (November 09)

Spirited Pinner lose out.

Maidenhead 36 Pinner 14.

More awful weather welcomed Pinner U13s to Berkshire for the second successive weekend. This time out the opposition were the highly regarded Maidenhead team who proved to be as well drilled as expected; and yet in truth Pinner came away feeling somewhat disappointed not to got more from the game.  Terrific commitment and team spirit from the boys meant Pinner had the luxury of their entire squad of 18 for the very first time.

They were at the opposition from the very start, spurred on by some committed forward play where the power of the front five was always evident and with the driving runs of Tyler Hone at No8 they were soon camped in the Maidenhead 22.  Only poor handling let them down when a score seemed a certainty, and Maidenhead took full advantage to break away and score twice against the run of play.  Bradley Stevenson and Sam Williams showed the way with a series of driving runs and following several phases just shy of the line Ryan Beaumont finally drove over from close range for the richly deserved try.  The conversion followed and Pinner were right back in the game.  With barely 2 minutes to half time a second try looked a certainly when Maidenhead’s accomplished fly half intercepted a loose pass, strode up field and provided the platform for Maidenhead’s third try.  Turning round 17 – 7 was down was a bitter pill to swallow.

Shortly after the start of the second half that soon became 22 – 7 and it was hard to see the boys coming back from that.  Undeterred, however, Bradley Stevenson did just that, crossing for his 13th try of the season, an incredible haul in only six appearances.  Despite their best efforts the boys could not force another score but continued to play some fine running rugby; as they tired late on Maidenhead’s replacements were able to take advantage and run in two further tries for a final score of 36 – 14 which arguably flattered the hosts.

Eliminate the few errors and build on a number of solid performances and Pinner will soon be back to winning ways.

Team: Davies, Mahoney (O’Riordan), Rees, George B (Jamie), Hill; Marx-Carr, George C; Villamil (Andreon), Seiler, Beaumont, Stevenson, Williams, Perillo, Smith, Hone.

Scorers: Tries – Beaumont, Stevenson: Cons – Davies 2

Tremendous fight back see’s Pinner deserved winners 38 – 26.

A late cancellation by Grasshoppers saw Pinner on the road again; this time to Slough RFC who had gamely stepped into the breech.

Having arrived with a squad of seventeen (including new boys Dylan and Jamie who were making their debut for the team), Pinner found themselves in the unusual position of lending the opposition a couple of players to make up their numbers. Jonathan and Liam sportingly volunteered to don the Slough jerseys.

Absences in the Pinner scrum saw Oscar Perillo playing hooker and Dominic Seiler moving to prop.

As the teams were getting ready to kick off, the heavens opened.

Pinner were playing into the weather and the freezing, heavy downpour quickly blinded eyes and numbed fingers.

Despite the elements, Pinner started brightly enough.

But the first time they lost possession a Slough player simply picked up the loose ball and sprinted along the wing to score, untroubled by some half-hearted tackling from the Pinner side.

From the restart Pinner were better. Tyler running powerfully into the opposition half and a typically mercurial Adam, skipping past tackles and making ground for his team.

But once again poor defensive work quickly saw Pinner 14-0 down. A situation not helped when, all too often, unsupported runners were forced to ground and, with no other Pinner players nearby, Slough gained easy possession.

However, even with cold fingers, Pinner’s passing was encouraging.

It paid off when twenty yards out Dylan received quick ball and made a successful burst for the line, running in a super first try for his team.

Harrison Davis converted into the wind and despite the team shipping another sloppy try soon after, Pinner began to scent they had the beating of Slough.

Bradley Stephenson was at the heart of most of Pinner’s dangerous moves, running bravely at the defence and absorbing some painful tackles. His unstinting efforts were rewarded with a try and he was unlucky to have another held up over the line.

The end of the first half saw Pinner behind by a single converted try.

However the promise of playing the second half with the wind and rain at their backs lifted spirits considerably. As luck would have it, the rain, which had been torrential for thirty minutes, stopped and spared Slough.

It didn’t matter. Pinner had their tails up now. Passing was slicker and they were playing like a team.

Tyler Hone and Piers Marx-Carr both ran in excellent tries. Harrison Davies who had kicked well all day crossed the line at a dive.

Finally Callum George who had stamped his authority on the game as Team Captain emerged victorious from a thrilling kick and chase to the try line from thirty yards out, shoulder to shoulder with a Slough player.

It capped a Man of the Match performance by the Captain and a huge collective effort by the Pinner team.

Report: Brad

Weather of almost Biblical proportions could not dampen Pinner’s spirit in what was an excellent match throughout.  Choosing to play against the wind and driving rain and hail seemed to be backfiring on Pinner as Slough made the most of possession handed them by Pinner over exuberance, and ran in two long range counter attacking tries.  The conversions added to push Slough into a 14 – 0 early lead. Despite the worsening conditions Pinner’s application and pressure finally paid off when newcomer Dillon Mahoney showed a real turn of speed to outstrip the defence from wide out to score between the posts.  The old adage of being vulnerable immediately after scoring was fully exploited by Slough who opened up the 14 point gap once more with a third converted score from turn over ball.  Spurred on by Bradley Stevenson’s trade mark surging runs Pinner fought back again and after Stevenson was just held up over the try line a quick burst up the short side from fly half Piers Marx, to score wide out, narrowed the gap to 9 points at half time.

If Pinner were expecting the wind and rain to work in their favour in the second they were to be mildly disappointed as the rain stopped and the wind died down;  the reality was that the improved playing conditions made for a far better second half when Pinner’s superior organisation proved key.  Two tries from No.8, Tyler Hone, his second the try of the match from a pick up and sprint clear from fully 50 metres, saw Pinner into a deserved lead that they never relinquished.  Two moments of quick thinking from Harrison Davies created a try for himself (to add to his four conversions) and another signature kick and chase for captain on the day Callum George to dive on and score.

A consolation score for Slough in the dying moments was justified yet took none of the gloss off what was a fine and spirited Pinner performance that all the boys should be proud of.

Team:-  Davies; Mahoney, Rees, George B (O’Riordon 25), Jamie (Hill 25) ; Marx, George C; Villamil, Perillo, Seiler, Williams, Stevenson, Andreon, Smith, Hone.

Report: Doj

First XV versus SODAM RFC (the photos)

P&G’s RFC move to joint leadership of Herts-Middx Div 3

Pinner & Grammarians resumed their Herts-Middx Div 3 campaign with a hard fought victory over London French at Shaftesbury Playing Fields on Saturday. With an early kick-off to allow players to watch the England v Argentina match on TV, Pinner attacked from the start. Playing into driving wind and rain their forwards began to dominate with the front row causing problems for the visitors.  The French were forced to kick down wind which they did with some effect.  From a line-out on the P&G’s 22 the home side were penalised at the resulting ruck. Centre Quintin Bassi gave the visitors a 3 point lead.  With 5 minutes to go before half-time the French again tried to take advantage of the strong wind but their kick was fielded by winger Graham Searle.  He set up an attack from his own 22 interchanging several times with full-back  Mark Razzell to take the ball into the French half.  Flanker Warren Woad was on hand to run the final 30 metres for a try in the left corner.  Razzell’s conversion attempt was blown off course by the wind but P&G’s went to half-time with a 5 – 3 lead.

With the wind, although not as strong, now behind them in the second -half, Pinner put pressure on the visitors and camped in their 22.  Ten minutes into the half and after a series of strong drives the home team were awarded a scrum on the visitors 5 metre line. Good work by the pack allowed No 8 Bernie Richter to pick up and drive over in the right hand corner for the second try. Again the conversion from wide out just missed.  Within a couple of minutes P&G’s lost a line-out on the half way line. French developed a fluid move among their backs with scrum-half Erwan Goureau going over for a try. Once more the conversion failed, not a day for kicks at goal.  London French, realising that the kicking game did not work into the wind, mounted a series of attacks deep into Pinner territory. From a ruck on the P&G’s 5 metre line the scrum-half got the ball back to centre Bassi who neatly dropped goal.  Now, finding themselves  11 – 10 down seeing their chances of a second successive promotion threatened. With only ten minutes remaining the home team, spurred on by rather wet but hardy supporters, stepped up the pressure. Winning a line-out on the visitors 22  Pinner drove towards the visitors line and rewarded with Warren Woad crashed over for his second try. Again the conversion failed to add points but Pinner held on  to win  15 – 11.

This was Pinner’s fourth win in five league outings.  With local rivals, Ickenham [previously St Nicholas OB's] losing their first match the two clubs are now equal on points. They meet in the  final match of the first half of the season on the 17^th December with all to play for.  Warren Woad was declared ‘man of the match’ for his two tries and resounding tackles.

Pinner & Grammarians will host their traditional Boxing Day match with teams made up from the local clubs. Anyone wanting to get away from the turkey and mince-pies will be very welcome at Shaftesbury Playing Fields whether as a player or supporter.  KO is aimed for 11:30 am.

Herts/Middlesex 3 1 Pinner & Grammarians 8 2 Ickenham 8 3 London French 6 4 Old Tottonians 6 5 Thamesians 4 6 Hatfield 4 7 Cuffley 0 8 Watford 0

Recent Results 15 Pinner & Grammarians V’s London French 11 17 Watford V’s Pinner & Grammarians 21 20 Old Tottonians V’s Pinner & Grammarians 17 27 Pinner & Grammarians V’s Hatfield 23 19 Cuffley V’s Pinner & Grammarians 38

First XV Victory over London French – photographic evidence!

November Newsletter – ‘The Pelican Brief’

Read all about it, read all about it ….. First XV victories, Halloween scares, player of the week, youth team in action. There’s a lot more, click on link (pdf file) to download or if you can wait, pick up a copy from the clubhouse after training on Sunday.

newsletter-nov-09

November Caption Competition

Each month a photo will be added to this page. It is hoped that you can come up with a suitable caption to go with it, a prize will be awarded at the end of each month – good luck

to submit caption please email paultalbot17@googlemail.com

By popular demand!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know the crossbar is very high but I still think that I can drop-kick it………….. Jon Blowers

I think therefore I am…………………………a total TWAT  Barry Whitecombe

Now that’s what I call a big prop.!!!!!!!   ‘Big John’ Hone
 

good luck – remember the prize this month: a Caramel, pint of lovely and a cuddle from Hobo!

The winner for the November Caption Competition: Barry Whitecombe, for basically spotting the obvious!

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