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Victory for Pinner U12s at the second round of the Middlesex Championships at Hackney Marshes

Pinner U12’s ventured further East than ever before to play the second round of the Middlesex Championships at Hackney Marshes, on the very edge of the Olympic Park near Stratford.

The sun was shining once again, although a brisk wind was an unwelcome addition this week, both for the players who had trouble kicking conversions and the parents, cowering on the sidelines.

Despite the distance to travel, Pinner had a strong turnout of 12 players. This wasn’t quite enough for the 13 needed at this level so once again they were very pleased that 6 players from Kilburn were able to join them to assemble what turned out to be a formidable team.

Fortune once again shined on them and they weren’t required to play the first match. The benefits from this were twofold; firstly allowing almost an hour to practise and work out team positions and secondly providing an opportunity to spy on the other teams as they played their match, which incidentally Hackney won against Wasps in convincing fashion.

Eventually it was Pinner’s turn to take to the field against Hackney. A really tough game was anticipated and for the first couple of minutes it was just that. However Pinner piled on the pressure and were able to ruck the ball close to the Hackney try line, allowing Carter to pick it up and put it down for a try. This was soon followed by another try by John and suddenly the previously formidable looking Hackney were 10-0 down and looking hopelessly lost.

Hackney dug deep, coming back strongly and eventually scoring after a period of intense pressure. Pinner didn’t buckle though and following a couple of penalties, Charlie Gascoine was able to run in a try, only to have it disallowed for handing off. He didn’t take it badly though, and within two minutes the ball was back in his hands and he ran in an almost identical try – without being penalised. Pinner were back in control 15-5, with only minutes to go until half time. In what turned out to be the last play of the half Hackney were able to run in another try to narrow the gap once again. Charlie and Niall converted two tries at half time to take the score to 19-14.

The Pinner scrum had been formidable throughout the game, winning almost every ball, regardless of the team that put the ball in. A significant change for the second half therefore was the request from Hackney for uncontested scrums as a result of an injury to one of their forwards. Ten minutes passed of hard fought rugby before Hackney broke through for a try in the corner and tying the score with one conversion opportunity in hand. Following this the Pinner coach, Steve George, made a shrewd substitution, bringing Sam Marchant back on in the right wing position. Within seconds he was handed the ball and was able to run the ball in for what proved to be the match winning try. Although Hackney continued to fight back Pinner held on for the victory, 24-21.

Pinner were in confident mood heading into the second match. They’d beaten Hackney who had previously thrashed Wasps and were expecting to be able to do the same. Needless to say, this wasn’t to be the case! Right from the first whistle Wasps were able to press forward and the Pinner team, which had been re-organised to take advantage of the uncontested scrums, were struggling to come to terms with their new positions. It didn’t take too long for Wasps to find a gap in the defence and run in a try to take them into the lead; the first and only time that Pinner found themselves behind that morning. The effect of this was to shock Pinner back into action and they soon retaliated with a brace of tries, first from Marc and then Brendan. The game moved to and fro in the middle of the field for the remainder of the half until the whistle blew to call time. After Niall successfully kicked another conversion the score was 12-7 in Pinner’s favour.

The second half was just as tough as the first, Pinner continued to play the great rugby that they had demonstrated all day; their rucking, mauling and scrumming was better than in any other game they had played. An unwillingness to retire seven metres for penalties caught them out on several occasions and a few too many handling errors resulted in many uncontested scrums in awkward positions. Nevertheless they persevered and were the first to score again when Charlie ran in his second try of the day. Pinner came close to scoring again when Louis George charged repeatedly at the Wasps defence. It wasn’t to be though and in the final play of the game Wasps were able to score a consolation try, resulting in a final score of 17-14.

Not since the Middlesex Finals in May had this team enjoyed such a successful morning’s rugby. The hotly anticipated chocolate cake then made a fleeting appearance before being demolished by the victorious Pinner and Kilburn players.

Thanks once again to Paul and the Kilburn players who made such a valuable contribution to the success of the team today.

Hackney v Wasps 26 – 7 4 tries + 3 conversions V 1try + 1 conversion

Hackney v Pinner (Kilburn) 21 – 24 3 tries + 3 conversions V 4 tries + 2 conversions

Wasps V Pinner (Kilburn) 14 – 17 2 tries + 2 conversions V 3 tries + 1 conversion

report: Nick Marchant

Video link of matches

Under 7/8s

Great to have such a good turnout for today’s away fixture, I’m sure you all agree well worth the early start, London Scottish were a very friendly bunch.  The under 6’s and 7’s were coached by Scottish International and Strictly Come Dancing contestant Kenny Logan, who seemed thoroughly down to earth.

We had 6 players joining the under 8 training, 9 joined the under 6 & 7’s session, we were joined by Isleworth Club, Grasshoppers.

As I coached the under 8’s I can let you know how we played as a team after out training session.

Game 1 v London Scottish

Win to Pinner 3-2, we took a commanding lead and looked like we would be run away winners, however London Scottish rallied, and finished really strongly.

Jonathon scored 2 tries and Michael scored 1

Game 2 v London Scottish

Win to Pinner 7 -6, (ref claimed 5-5, but our score keepers confirmed otherwise)

A very even game, with no team being more than 1 score ahead at any time.  Fast paced and free flowing, great fun to watch.

Jonathon and Michael both with 3 tries, and our Barbarian from Grasshoppers Leo scored a try.

Next week we are away at Hackney Bulls, the club we beat in last season’s final of the Middx Festival, hosted by Grasshoppers.

Hackney are a great club who visited Pinner earlier in the season on 9^th October.

Thanks all for getting there today, Richard and David for training with u6’s and u7’s and Simon for being the u8’s scorekeeper.

See you all next week

report: Andy Nash

U9/10s

The last time Pinner RFC visited Richmond Athletic Ground, home of London Scottish was the seniors entering the Middlesex 7s; returning with a trophy, something to aim for! Well, it was a friendly training and game session, but by the way the combined team of under 9s and under 10s played you would think they were full on for winning the world cup! more to follow………..

Clothes and Textiles Collection We need your Support

We are collecting old clothes and textiles, the idea is that we all collect bags of old clothes and textiles from our own homes, family and friends. Bring them into the rugby club over the next few weeks so we can amass a good weight in textiles, for which a Ragman will come and collect them and give us a nice cheque to go into the club

Please bring to the club for Sunday 11^th December when Paul Parker-Brice will sort them out ready for collection

Please ask friends and family for their old textiles, the more weight we get the more cash we receive.

We shall be very grateful for any old clothes, sheets, blankets, curtains, shoes, hats and any other textiles.

Please Support our Rugby Club,

Any special collection arrangements or more information

Please telephone +447917088802

Thank you for your kind support

Pinner Under12s @ the Middlesex Championships

The sun was shining and the sky was a glorious shade of deep blue as we gathered on the edge of Bushy Park for the first round of the Middlesex Championships. Although some players were involved in Remembrance Sunday parades a squad of 19 assembled as Pinner and Kilburn re-formed their barbarians team that had proven so successful last season.

The luck of the draw allowed Pinner and Kilburn a full 30 minutes to train together before the whistle went for the kick off and hopes were high as the time for kick off approached in their first match against Teddington. The first half was hard fought and Pinner appeared to work well in breakdown, presenting the ball effectively and rucking strongly in the first phase, although the forwards were much slower to the subsequent phases and Teddington turned over many easy balls. Teddington used their wings to great effect and looked threatening every time the ball ventured wide. The score would certainly have been far greater were it not for some staunch defending and impressive tackling, particularly one memorable thunderous charge from Ryan Healy to push an opposition player into touch as he passed the try line. At half time the score remained 1-0 and Pinner were still very much in the game and looking to even the score in the second half. The forwards were particularly strong against Teddington in the scrum and very rarely was the ball turned over, nevertheless, Teddington continued to send the ball wide and managed to score another try early on in the half. Pinner continued to battle hard and came desperately close to scoring on at least one occasion. In the end some handling errors and an inability to spread the ball side saw possession pass back to Teddington for the ball to be kicked back into our own half. A final brace of tries from Teddington to bring the final score to 4-0 disguises the close nature of game and the strong and spirited performance of the Pinner team.

After only 10 minutes rest Pinner were back on the field to face the now, well rested, Ealing. Pinner were up for a battle but very quickly found themselves two tries behind and, it appeared, destined for a thrashing. The strong start from Ealing seemed to fortify Pinner and they played thenceforth with a renewed resolve to prevent Ealing scoring, particularly their full back, and the scorer of the second try who appeared to have the magic ability to slip through the defence like a hot knife through butter. This endeavour worked and try as they might Ealing could not get the ball over the line again. On one notable occasion the aforementioned slippery full back managed to get through most of the defence only encounter Sam Marchant on the try line. Sam stood his ground and instead of slipping past him he shoulder charged him; the try wasn’t given and Pinner got a penalty. Eventually they did break through and the score at half time was 3-0 and the prospects for the second half didn’t look very upbeat. Nevertheless, Pinner didn’t give up fighting. In the second half they defending valiantly and came close to scoring for the first time, although it not be. They continued to work tirelessly right up until the final whistle and prevented an Ealing scoring a single try in that final half; a feat that in many ways was their greatest success of the morning. Once again the score doesn’t reflect just how close the match was.

The final act of the morning was the now, ‘traditional’, cake demolition ceremony that follows any match when Kilburn and Pinner join forces. Although they hadn’t been victorious, it certainly didn’t seem to be troubled them as they consumed their share of the chocolate gateau.

Just in… a nice email from another club

Good to see you yesterday at Teddington and I’m so pleased you entered a team into the U12 Middlesex League.

Firstly I hope your full back that was injured when making a  try saving tackle on Ealing’s full back is okay, he took a big blow ?

Secondly I was so impressed again yesterday by your team and there great spirit( espeically linking up for the two minutes silence), they were a pleasure to referee polite and listened to all my comments/decisions.

I wish you luck in the next two rounds of the league and hope the boys get the victories they justly deserve.

See you at Wasps in March.

Kind regards

Graham Robson