Reunion of 1970’s players and Presidents Lunch

PINNER & GRAMMARIANS RFC

Cordially invites you to the

PRESIDENT’S LUNCH

AND

REUNION OF 1970’s PLAYERS

and those of any other decade, before or after.

SATURDAY 10^th APRIL

BAR OPENS 12 noon

LUNCH at 1 pm

1^st XV v Cuffley

K.O.  3 pm

Renew acquaintances with old friends

Support the 1^st XV in their final league match with a possibility of a second successive promotion

Please bring photos and memorabilia

Wives, partners and friends very welcome

Please pass this on to any former Pinner players with whom you are in contact

3 course lunch £20 per head

In order to facilitate catering please complete the proforma

and return it to Dave Hiles

please click on the link below for the form (pdf format)

Player’s reunion – Presidents Lunch form

Under 9s’ Under 10’s Middlesex Festival information

Below is some information regarding the Middlesex Festival for U9’s & U10’s Sunday 14th March

The venue is Ealing Trailfinders (click for link to map)

For the The Draw U9 & U10

Pitch layout U9 U10 Pitch Layout

At present there is no actual pitch layout – I fear that to know that you will have to purchase a programme @ £2.00 each or park and get one free when you pay £7.00 parking fee!

Marie Curie Middx Tag & Mini Festivals 2010 Rules

We do need to be at the Festival realistically by 9.30 – 9.40 as matches start at 10am (according to the schedule)

If you have any transport issues, attending or any other information required speak to Jo and hopefully she will be able to guide you in the right direction.

We expect all  under 9’s and under 10’s to attend – this is the first festival this season and would like to make a good impression.

Depleted Pinner suffer a Hammering

Hammersmith & Fulham U13s v Pinner U13s

WIth Hurlingham Park bathed in winter sunshine and a dry pitch suiting Pinner’s running game expectations were good for a solid performance after a two week absence of competitive rugby, despite missing players through illnes and concussion.  It was clear from the close fought opening exchanges, however, that Hammersmith and Fulham had ideas of their own and began using their powerful three quarters to good effect.  Two, carbon copy, breaks from the half way line saw the H & F outside centre sprint clear for scores midway through the half.  A third try saw H & F move into a 19 – 0 lead and Pinner needed to rally quickly to avoid a repeat of the London Welsh scoreline last month.

To their credit they did just that and with Harrison Davies in fine kicking form were able to benefit from some H & F indescretions and set up a line out close to the H & F line.  A smart throw, from a well rehearsed training ground move, saw Daniel Villamil drive for the line and link cleverly with his fellow prop Dominic Seiler, the latter diving over to ground the ball in the corner for his first try of the season; and well deserved it is too. 

Sadly on the stroke of half time Pinner were to suffer the loss of their Captain Tyler Hone with a suspected fractured collar bone after a typical brave pick and drive into the heart of the H & F forwards. It was blow Pinner could well do without and we all wish Tyler a speedy recovery. 

With Matthew Andreon, Pinner’s sole replacement now on the pitch, they could afford no more injuries and battled on after the half time turnaround, hopeful the sun behind them might prove advantageous in putting H & F under pressure.  Alas it was not to be the case as a number of unforced errors and missed tackles gave H & F the impetous through much of the second half and Pinner conceded another three tries before posting their second score of the day.  Once more the forwards were to the fore mauling the ball deep into H & F territory for Bradley Stephenson to break blind from the base of an insuing scrum.  He looked likely to score only to be denied by a high tackle.  The referee baulked at awarding a penalty try but opted for a straight penalty. Davies tapped and went, darted for the line and though held a metre short he smuggled the ball to Stephenson who dived over to score; fair reward for another tough game leading from the front.

H & F did manage the final score to put more gloss on their convincing win, leaving Pinner to lick their wounds and regroup for the last few weeks of the season, desparately seeking another win from somewhere.

Doj

Team: Mahoney, Benvanides, Rees, George C, Hill; Marx-Carr, Davies; Villamil, Perrilo, Seiler, Beaumont, Williams, Hone (Andreon 22), Smith, Stevenson.

Pinner keeps up the pressure

P&G Match report 20.02.10

London French RFC versus Pinner & Grammarians RFC

In a scrappy game P&G’s overcame their promotion rivals London French at Barn Elms Playing Fields on Saturday.  Things started badly with a long diversion as Hammersmith Bridge was closed. Matters did not improve when a Pinner player was given a yellow card following almost the first tackle.  The first half was undistinguished although Pinner dominated the set pieces.  Both sides exchanged penalties giving a half-time score of 6 all, P&G’s points came from the boot of full-back Mark Razzell.  Shortly before the interval Pinner had worked a strong attacking position and would have scored had the London French flanker not killed the ball. He also received a yellow card in what was becoming quite a niggly match.

The second half proved more positive with the visitors mounting a series of attack. After only five minutes left wing Graham Searle gathered a French kick out and chipped for the corner. A knock on resulted in a powerful Pinner scrum on the home 22. The ball was moved quickly to the right for the captain, Reza Sibilant, this week playing at centre, to cover 30m avoiding several tackles to score the first try giving the visitors an 11 – 6 lead.  Pinner maintained the pressure with the home side becoming increasingly desperate, but taking advantage of some lax refereeing.  One blatant late tackle leaving the P&G right wing needing prolonged attention went unpunished. 

The Pinner pack was now dominant electing to take scrums rather that penalty kicks. Mid-way through the half one such scrum nearly resulted in another Pinner score.  Several strong breaks through the centre kept most of the play near the home 22.  French were now relying of quick breaks but the P&G tackling was superb.  With only five minutes remaining the home side resorted to kick and chase but one such kick was quickly brought back into the home half going through several hands before Reza Sibilant was again in support to burst through the final 20m for his and P&G’s second try. With the score now 16 – 6 French threw everything at the Pinner line but the defence held.

London French were less than magnanimous in defeat having seen their position a second in the league slip away with P&G’s overtaking them in the race for promotion.

Pinner Under 10’s prove very difficult to beat

Sunday 7th February

Pinner travel to Hammersmith & Fulham RFC

From the kick off, Pinner forced a mistake from the home side and were awarded a scrum, however, good tackling meant that Pinner gained no advantage. The play went from end to end with line outs and penalties for both teams lead to the opening ten minutes a little disjointed, however, good tackling from Ben Stone and Kai Gordon kept the opposition from scoring. Lots more pressure and a missed tackling resulted in a try for Hammersmith & Fulham 1 – 0 half time to Hammersmith & Fulham

At start of 2nd half there was lots of pressure from Pinner, from an early scrum Ben Stone got the ball and was stopped just short of line, after another good attack he scored a try. Hammersmith & Fulham kicked off and heavy pressure was stopped by excellent tackling from Dylan Kelly resulting in Findlay Schofield having a good run and winning a penalty for the visitors. Pinner moved forward once again and won a scrum in the middle of the park; good running from Louis Quisbert-Davies won a line out 5m from Hammersmith & Fulham try line which was unfortunately lost but Pinner were able to win back the ball and gained a penalty after the sequence of passing 6m from Hammersmith & Fulham try line, which Ryan Healy nearly took all the way but good defensive tackling stopped him just short. Pinner won another penalty from which Kai Gordon scored a try. After good play from both teams in the middle of the park, Pinner won another penalty where good running from Thomas Matthews gained us ground and with support play from Sam Marchant and a crunching tackle resulted in another scrum towards Pinner. This followed a passage of play in which Pinner dominated, Paul Nash winning line outs and great team work in rucks managed to get the ball to fullback to Kai Gordon who capped a great performance with his second try leaving Pinner 3-1 victors at the final blow of the whistle.

Again, the turn out of the under 10’s squad was tremendous with everyone taking part in what is now a very successful part of the season, recent results has seen them become unbeaten and a force to be reckoned with.

Sweet revenge for Pinner 1st XV

Saturday 6th February Pinner & Grammarians RFC v Old Tottonians RFC

Pinner & Grammarians resumed their Herts-Middx Div 3 campaign with a hard fought victory over Old Tottonians RFC on Saturday 6^th February at Shaftesbury Playing Fields. The match was to prove a hard fought battle with a lot of close play and ferocious tackling, Pinner were out to revenge their loss to their opponents earlier in the season.

From the kick off Old Tottonians used their strength in the forwards to dominate the first 10 minutes, spending it within the Pinner half. After a strong run through the centers, the ball was kicked out to give Old Totts the advantage of a line out. The ball, caught at the second man was threaded to the scrum half who guided it out through the forward running pack to secure a try wide of the up rights which made the conversion a difficult task, unfortunately for the visitors it was not converted.

For the next ten minutes Pinner worked hard to retain the ball and although they continued to pressure Old Totts made several mistakes which the referee awarding a scrum deep in the Old Totts half, against the put in, Bernie Richter picked up the loose ball and drove towards the try line, managing a quick pass to Craig Lane who scrambled over to score a try, sadly, it was not converted leaving the score 5-5 at half time.

The second half saw a more determined Pinner start to put the weeks training moves into action, a series of strong drives saw the ball reach number 8, Richter; who shrugged off several tackles to score a second try. No conversion, leaving Pinner 10-5 in the lead

More pressure from Pinner with some excellent support from Man of the Match Lee Seiler resulted in Captain Aaron Nicholas take the ball in at the corner from line out and scrum deep in Old Totts 22 no conversion 15-5

More pressure from Pinner ensued and this paid off with another scrum being awarded, which despite their weight disadvantage, pushed Old Totts five metres. The advantage gained put Pinner into the Old Totts twenty two. Another scrum was given, this time Old Totts having the put in, a now confident pack pushed hard and forced the Old Totts scrum half make a quick pass to his centre, again quick pass to outside centre, slightly high, which was intercepted by Pinner’s number 10, who ran in, delivered a pop pass to debutant Alex Goring who was on his shoulder, as he went to ground managed to pass to Steven Griffiths who side stepped and dived for the line near to the uprights.

This gave Mark Razzle the opportunity to convert which he did taking the score to 22-5

With 10 minutes to go, Old Totts scrambled the ball from a ruck close to side line, it was passed through the hands of two players, kicked and caught by their no 14, who despite an attempt at a tap tackle scored a try, unfortunately for Old Totts it was not converted.

Final score Pinner 22 – Old Tottonians 10

This continues an excellent run for Pinner who have won their last three games

This now keeps them second in the Middlesex Division three league

Herts/Middlesex 3
1	Ickenham	15
2	Pinner & Grammarians	14
3	London French	14
4	Old Tottonians	8
5	Hatfield	8
6	Thamesians	8
7	Watford	2
8	Cuffley	1

Under 13’s versus Twickenham RFC match report – ‘Ebb and Flow’

Pinner U13s  26, Twickenham U13s  41.

The opening exchanges had all the trade marks of a typical Pinner performance.  Renowned for being slow starters, some slack defending saw a Twickenham back rower take the opportunity to burst through a maul and run unimpeded to score the opening try; the missed kick was a small crumb of hope.  Pinner charged back at Twickenham after regathering their own kick and only staunch defending in the 22 prevented a deserved score when both Ryan Beaumont and Bradley Stevenson were stopped just short.  Against the run of play Twickenham were fortunate to run in another unconverted try from a breakaway by their impressive No 7.  Momentarily knocked out their stride Pinner switched off allowing a third Twickenham try, this one converted.  A 17 – 0 scoreline as half time approached was hardly a fair reflection of play.

Undeterred Pinner came back with a vengeance and began to take control in what was fast becoming a memorable match.  Bradley Stevenson broke through after strong work from Dominic Seiler and Sam Williams and was able to set up a solid platform in the Twickenham 22.  When the ball was recycled he was on hand again to cut back inside and score to the right of the posts; Harrison Davies’s conversion gave the score a better balance, 17 – 7 at half time.

With renewed confidence Pinner came out firing at the start of the second half and Bradley Stevenson bagged a second try as Twickenham were slow to react and he was able to weave through the tacklers and score between the posts.  The conversion drew Pinner closer still.  Confidence was now flowing through the Pinner ranks and after some slick handling in the backs by Callum George and Piers Marx-Carr, Adam Rees cut a fine angle to burst clear and outstrip the cover to score near the posts, with Harrison Davies comfortably converting Pinner found themselves in front for the first time at 21 – 17.

Any thoughts that Twickenham might capitulate were soon dispelled when their No 7 ran in another try to nose them ahead and their rangy centre added the fifth, the conversion put them 29 – 21 ahead.  Back Pinner came, though, with Dillon Mahoney and Jamie Benvanides prominent they gained good ground and after a spell of solid rucking and mauling won a scrum inside the Twickenham 22.  A pick up and dart down the blindside from scrum half Harrison Davies created a gap he was able to exploit to dive over for the score.  Hurt in the act of scoring he was forced from the field and Pinner had to reorganise.  Matthew Andreon showed his time on the sideline had served only to spur him on and taking a fine catch from the resulting kick off drove into the heart of the Twickenham pack. The ball recycled well and for a moment it looked like Pinner may create the score they needed.  In truth the run of ball never quite went Pinner’s way in the final minutes and despite a tremendous effort by the entire team characterised by two memorable tackles by Liam O’Riordan and Matthew Andreon Twickenham finally pulled away for two further tries from the No 7; by far their best player.

Pinner came away with their heads high knowing they had come within whisker of what would have been an impressive scalp.  Well done to each and every one for a fine display.

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

Pinner do the double over Watford

Pinner & Grammarians RFC match report for Saturday 30^th January

P&G’s continued their winning ways with a hard fought victory over local rivals Watford at Shaftesbury Playing Fields Hatch End on Saturday.  Watford gave early notice that they were intend on ruining Pinner’s promotion prospects with a series of attacks deep in the home sides territory.  They were awarded a penalty after only 8 minutes when P&G’s were off-side on their own 22. Fly-half James Betteley accepted the 3 points.  The visitors continued to exert pressure but with a quickly taken line-out on their own 22 Pinner produced a scintillating counter attack.  The ball went through the hands of the all the backs, the forwards were up in support continuing the movement which culminated in centre Paul James going over in the corner.   Pinner now came more into the game but promising attacks petered out.  On the half-hour after a series of scrums, which the home side were beginning to dominate, No 8 Bernie Richter broke to score the second try. The conversion again failed.  Watford replied with a drop-goal from fly-half Betteley to give a half time score of 10 – 6 to Pinner.

Immediately after the resumption P&G’s were guilty of over ambition in trying to rum the ball out of their 22.  From the scrum following a knock-on. Watford drove for the line and winning the resulting ruck Paul Wilson went over for a try to put the visitors in the lead 11 – 10.  Pinner forwards were now exerting some control with a series of rolling mauls and powerful scrummaging.  After 13 minutes of the second half flanker and captain Reza Sibilant went over for Pinner’s third try again wide out so the conversion failed but the lead was regained.  A couple of minutes later P&G’s were again adjudged to be off-side giving Betteley the chance to narrow the gap to 15 – 14.  This inspired Pinner to produce their best period of the match.  And almost immediately another passing movement, this time involving the forwards saw flanker Warren Woad go over in the right hand corner.  There then followed probably the best try of the season.  Starting on the right-hand side of the Pinner goal-line the ball was moved at speed through many pairs of hands, both forwards and backs with left-winger Ollie Blazey to score his maiden try for the club. With still 15 minutes left Pinner now had a comfortable lead of 25 -14.  There were several other fine attacks in particular a 50m dash by hooker Aaron Nicholas but he was brought down in the Watford 22 . There was now further scoring giving the home team a 25 – 14 victory that moves them into second place just one point behind Ickenham.

Herts/Middlesex 3
1	Ickenham	13
2	Pinner & Grammarians	12
3	London French	12
4	Old Tottonians	8
5	Hatfield	8
6	Thamesians	8
7	Watford	2
8	Cuffley	1

Next Saturday the visitors will be Old Tottonians for a match postponed from snows of January. The kick-off is 2pm as Engalnd are playing Wales at Twickenham at 5pm.

Youth and Mini’s

The heavy overnight frost rendered the lower pitch unsafe so all the Mini’s age groups had a non contact practice.  The Under 13’s were supposed to entertain Watford but to most people’s surprise the visitors disagreed over the state of the pitch and refused to play.  This was rather disappointing  for the goodly number of supports who had braved the cold weather.

Pinner 1st XV back to winning ways

Pinner versus Hatfield RFC

Saturday 23^rd January

On a cold and overcast afternoon sporting their new kit, Pinner 1^st XV took to the field with high hopes of a second victory over Hatfield this season. From the kick off it was evident that both teams meant business with Hatfield dominating the first fifteen minutes driving the Pinner forwards deep into their own twenty-two. Much of the play was centered around rucks and mauls with Hatfield having the upper hand; although poor discipline gave the advantage to Pinner and they were awarded a penalty just inside the Hatfield half. The kick from Paul James went agonizingly close to the outside of the right upright leaving the score 0-0. Hatfield continued to push Pinner and quickly passed the ball moving it across the field to the number 4, despite a heroic chase by loose head prop Neill King, to score in the corner. The try was then converted to take the score 7-0. Pinner continued to defend in their twenty-two for the remainder of the first half, just holding on.

The second half continued in the same vain, the Pinner pack working very hard to stop any advancement by a well organised team. Again, they found themselves stuck deep into their own half, with some ferocious tackling by the two Pinner flankers

Hatfield gave away a penalty, which, like in the first half narrowly missed the posts. From this point on, it turned into a bit of a dog fight, the tackles coming in thick and fast and even harder; causing a spate of injuries; the Pinner scrum half

Steven Griffiths taking a particularly nasty fall after kicking and chasing the ball some thirty metres deep into the Hatfield half. Despite changes Pinner continued to hold fast and following a disputed off side were awarded a penalty, this time Paul James was able to kick this over the posts, making the score 7-3. However, Hatfield continued to cause Pinner a lot of problems, pushed back in the now familiar own twenty-two they showed great character and determination to not let the opposition score again.

With the forwards under great pressure, the backs holding on the ball suddenly became loose; with quick mind and body, Jon Kirby intercepted it and ran the full length of the pitch, with others trailing him he placed the ball under the posts giving Paul James the opportunity to convert to bring the score to a winning 10-7 with a couple of minutes left on the referees watch. The final blow of the whistle saw a very jubilant side, having fought hard throughout the game, mainly in their own half they had overcome a strong Hatfield side and now sit second in the Herts/Middlesex 3 league.

A special mention to the debutants for their effort and commitment during the game should also be recorded.

Pinner who now face Watford RFC on Saturday 30th January at home, are looking to get the double over them following the earlier fixture in the season which saw them win 21-17

PINNER RFC U13S vs RICHMOND FC U13S

A chilly but dry Sunday saw us venture down to the hallowed turf at Richmond FC. With possibly the greatest history of any rugby club, we all knew that it was going to be a challenge and we weren’t wrong.

Although missing our two most accomplished players, we started confidently enough but their mountain of an inside centre took an early opportunity to open up our defence and he muscled through to score an early opening try that duly converted. Unfortunately for Pinner this was repeated again some 10 minutes later and was to prove the pattern for their demise.

Following an animated half time team talk, Pinner pulled an early try back. Bradley “Hitman” Smith, Pinner’s No 6, picked up a loose ball and ran it over at the corner flag from just inside their 22. Harrison Davies’ conversion attempt, spot on for accuracy, dropped agonisingly short for a 14 – 5 score line.

Inevitably, they responded immediately with another powerful run through the middle from their own 10 metre line – try number 3 for Richmond and for Alex, the aforementioned No 12. Pinner fought hard and were rewarded with a great try for Matt Andreon, playing at No 7. He picked up at the 5 metre line and drove over. Now – one for the rule books! Harrison ran up to take the conversion but, instead, picked the ball off the tee and ran over the dead ball line and touched down! Once upon a time – that was 2 points! But have those rules changed? We’re still looking!

Unfortunately, Alex found a gap on 2 further occasions for a final score of 33 – 12. Pinner were better than that – it was an one man army that defeated them but it was a great learning curve. Some impressive performances from Tyler Hone, Jamie Benevides and Dominic Seiler and a solid team display. It’s a good place to start!

A much improved Pinner side travelled to Richmond and on a poor pitch played some fast running rugby to be proud of.  If ever there was an example of a one man team Richmond proved that theory ‘in spades’.  Richmond’s powerful and athletic centre, Alex, ran in every one of their 5 tries, scoring under the posts to make the kicks a formality.

Although never quite finding the answer to this Pinner stuck valiantly to the task and at the start of the second half got their just deserts when from the towering kick-off a determined chase saw Pinner arriving in numbers; the ball bounced off the surprised Richmond pack to Bardley Smith who pinned back his ears to out flank the defence and score in the corner.

A second score in the same corner cam after an inspired charge by both 2nd Rows, Ryan Beaumont and Sam Williams.  As the ball popped out sideways from the ensuing ruck Matthew Andreon was the first to react and dived over for the score.  It was great to see two new names on the scoreboard.

The resulting conversion offered a talking point when Harrison Davies harped back to years gone by and elected to pick up the ball and beat the charging defenders to cross the line and touch down.  The points were duly awarded sparking much debate as to validity of ‘converting’ a try in this way.  Whether it is confined to the history books or not it was a moment to remember.

Several promising performances from Tyler Hone, Jamie Benavides and Liam O’Riordan showed the way forward for the return of Watford next week.

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

Watford at home next week – bring it on!

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