Mini & Youth Sections End of Season Awards: Saturday 5th May

The End of Season Awards Presentations on Saturday 5^th May, saw the end to a very successful season for the Mini Section, at Pinner Rugby Club, with each section winning a variety of tournaments and accolades.

The afternoon started with selection of fun activities for both parents and players: ‘moon ball rugby’ being a new edition to the activities, by Under 13s coach Chris Roycroft-Davies, which proved to be a great success with all ages scrambling for the large, white aerobics ball and eventually managing to get hold of it. The now, traditional game of ‘Dizzy Rascal’ (named before the rap singer) was enjoyed by all those who took part, who wouldn’t? Getting dizzy, trying to run straight and then drinking a mixture of soft drinks whilst being cheered on by team mates – great fun! Even Mini Chairman Spud (AKA Paul Talbot) was seen spinning around the pole and with some degree of control drink his drink without spilling it! With the bouncy castle in full use during the afternoon, hungry players and parents had their appetites nullified with burgers from the BBQ, brilliantly manned by Minty and Dev – Pinner RFCs answer to Ant & Dec of the catering world!

As the FA Cup reached half time in the clubhouse, the presentations started. It was the first time that the many new parents and kids – who have joined our club this season – had attended an End of Season awards. There were many positive comments for the vast variety of medals, cups and trophies laid out on display. These were both as club age group awards and cups won during the season.

The presentation was opened by Jo Talbot, Mini Section Administrator and Secretary, who welcomed both players and parents, thanking them all for their attendance, giving apologies for absence and highlighting some of the forthcoming events – Ickenham Gala Day, Saracens Summer Rugby Camp 9^th & 10^th August (Pinner RFC are hosting) and the Pinner Show.

Mini Section Chairman, Paul Talbot, then gave his introduction speech. He thanked everyone for their support throughout the year and their commitment in expanding the playing numbers; this year has seen the Mini Section increase in membership by over 50 players. He also thanked the club committee for their continued support, outlining future developments for the club, as well as thanking all the parents for their support, week in, week out helping the club to run so smoothly.

This year has been a very successful year for all age groups and even though some players have had to play up a year. Paul commended all players for their determination and more importantly their enthusiasm for playing rugby, the trophies on show proved this:

Under 7/8s – Egham Tag Festival Champions

Under 9/10s – Egham under 10s Festival Champions,

Middlesex under 10s Runners up

Under 11s – Middlesex under 11s Joint Winners,

Slough Under 11s Festival Winners

Under 12s –

Slough Under 12s Festival Joint Winner,

Middlesex under 12s Runners up

Presentation of Awards:

Under 6s

Players Player: James Evans

Most Improved: Leo Daines

Coaches Player:  Josh Luiz

Under 7s

Players Player: Thomas Hill

Most Improved: James Dawson

Coaches Player: Vivek Ambasna

Under 8s

Players Player: Jonathon Nye

Most Improved: Asher Woldman

Coaches Player: Jan Maguire

Under 9s

Players Player: Luke Selby

Most Improved: Jack Grey

Coaches Player: Maxwell Fullerton

Under 10s

Players Player: Mani Lee

Most Improved: Jameel Seidel

Coaches Player: Calum St John

Under 11s

Players Player: Josh Maloney

Most Improved: Joseph Edgar

Coaches Player: Joseph Holden

Under 12s

Players Player: Kai Gordon

Most Improved: Marc Souster

Coaches Player: Freddy Hart

Chairman’s Award:

Nominees – Leo Daines, Conner Walker, Jude Jackson, Reece Connolly, Calum St John, Cameron Fox, Findlay Schofield

Awarded to

Reece Connolly

Pinner Mini Section Tournament Champions great stuff!

Pinner Mini Section Celebrate as Tournament Champions

Under 8s & Under 10s Trophy Winners

Pinner takes all the Honours at final festival of the season

Pinner crossed the county borders this weekend and ventured into sunny Surrey attending the Egham Knights Mini Rugby Festival. This was to be the last fixture of a very successful season for the mini section.

The Festival was for Under 8s and Under 10s teams. Throughout the season Pinner under8s have combined with Under7s to great effect, also, the Under 9s have stepped up and play with the Under 10s. It was going to be a big ask for all players as the teams they faced were orthodox age squads; but as is the Pinner way, we like a challenge!

Under 10s

The under 10s were in a pool with Chobham RFC and Slough RFC. Unfortunately, a last minute email meant that Slough had to pull out, a shame really, as they make worthy opponents and Pinner have always been victorious when we play them.

After a quick discussion with the Chobham head coach it was decided that we would still play the required three pool games; the winner of two games would go through to the finals.

Match 1

Pinner 10 Chobham 5

Pinner, usually at festivals makes a slow start, it’s not until a couple of minutes into the game that they focus and start to really play. This time it was very different – straight from the whistle they were on the attack,  pushing their opponents deep into their own half. Great interplay from Reece and Josh saw the ball land in the hands of Mani who using his strength dived for the line with three Chobham players trying to stop him to no avail. This continued pressure kept the opposition team in their own half for the first half.  After a team talk by the Chobham coaches they were not going to let Pinner dominate them as much and this was evident from the off, quick passing saw the ball passed out wide and despite some heroic defending saw a try against Pinner levelling the score. From the restart Pinner yet again dominated in the opposition half unfortunately a couple of knock –on and a forward pass prevented them from pilling on the score, at this point Chobham made a break away charge and the fantastic intervention by Jameel saw an end to the attack, Pinner picking up the ball and surged ahead with Kieran reaching the try line to score Pinner’s second. Final score 2-1 to Pinner

Match 2

Pinner 15 Chobham 0

Again, this was against Chobham who now were rotating their team to put fresh legs on the pitch. Pinner needed to win this to guarantee a final place. The game was as fast paced as the first, with some outstanding tackling from both teams and excellent rucking and mauling. However, Pinner were in fine form and had a very determined frame of mind, also, one might add, an eye on that gleaming trophy!

The game ended up 3-0 victory to Pinner – they were in the final

Match 3

Knowing the Pinner had made the final, the players decided to use this match as a training session, fine tuning their passing skills and to work on different drills they had practice during the previous weeks at the club during training sessions. Unfortunately a bad injury to Mani meant the game finished at half time.

The Final

Pinner 5 Cobham 0

This was a very well contested match, both teams working hard to retain the ball.  The tackling made by Pinner was furious, with every advance made by Cobham, they were met with two players committed to regaining the ball. This was a match of gladiatorial proportions; no team prepared to surrender near the try line. A break away pass from inside the Pinner half saw the Pinner players take advantage of ground gained and with a succession of passes were on the oppositions try line, with driving support from nearly all of the team the ball was placed down for a try. As the half time whistle blew Pinner were one try to nil up, could they hold on in the second half?

The answer was yes; but it was a very difficult half, Pinner spent the majority of time deep in their own half, at times inches away from their try line. The defence was basically awesome, every player committed to the tackle, the opposition tried again and again to cross the line but kept coming across a defensive line that was not going to let them through.  This was tense, with time ticking down Pinner gave away a succession of four penalties for a number of errors. With each advance Pinner defended, they wanted the trophy!  The referee indicated it was the last play of the match with Cobham only five metres from the try line Pinner threw everything into defence,  the ball popped out of a ruck one metre from the line, quick thinking and great awareness saw Luke run the ball out. Pinner had won

Captain Calum St John collected the winners trophy

Squad: Manitou Lee, Majeed Muhammad, Joshua Beresford-Smart, Calum St John, Maxwell Fullerton, Reece Connolly, Luke Sealby, Ciara Evans, Kieran Wheeler, Mike Murphy,  Daniel,  Jameel

Under 8s

Group Match 1

Pinner 9 v Chobham 6

Great start to event by Pinner, a very quick and high scoring match, great defensive work from Jan and Jonathon with 9 recorded clear tags. Pinner achieved turnover with the 7 tag target being reached.  Try scorers for Pinner were Asher Woldman with 3 including a great individual effort that twisted and turned the length of the pitch. Jonathon Nye and Jan Maguire both with 2 trys and Ben Macdonald and Michael Ohio-Ezomo with a try each.

Group Match 2

Pinner 5 v Slough 3

A much tougher defensive game, both teams tagged realty well and stopped the opposition progressing to score. Michael Ohio-Ezomo scored 3 of Pinners Trys with Asher Woldman and Jonathon Nye with 1 a piece.

Those 2 wins put us through to the final, which turned out to be a long wait while the other Pool was decided. In the break we were able to see the u10’s win a very tight final 1-0 and receive there medals and trophy, the pressure was on could we do the double for Pinner?

Final

Pinner v Grasshoppers

This proved a real end to end affair.  Both Pinner and Grasshoppers had a number of players with a real turn of speed and ability to twist and turn to avoid being tagged. As we went into half time Pinner led by just the 1 try, leading 5-4.  Pinner managed to get another try to take the gap to 2, but Grasshoppers broke straight back and scored again. Pinner did well after the restart and scored again to go 2 clear. Some great defence was now needed. After the allocated 6 minutes, the ref blew full time. Pinner winners by 7-5. Try scorers for Pinner Jonathan Nye with 3, Michael Ohio-Ezomo with 2 and Asher Woldman and Ben Macdonald with 1 each.

Protected: Winners @ Egham Festival U8 & U10s

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End of Season Award Evening/night/morning…..!

Saturday was a busy day at Shaftesbury Playing Fields.  Following the two afternoon matches P&G’s held their annual Awards Dinner in their Clubhouse in the evening attended by nearly fifty people.  After enjoying an excellent meal the Club President David Hiles thanked everyone who had contributed to the continuing success and expansion of the club.

He paid tribute to his predecessor Bill North, who had died aged 89 just before Christmas, to the coaches and administrators of the Youth and Mini sections, the latter either winning or being runners-up in several tournaments.

He also praised the leadership of the Club Captain, Reza Sibilant, who was stepping down after four years in the role.  Four years in which P&G’s had emerged from bottom of the Herts/Middx leagues, had gained promotion in two successive seasons and consolidated their position in Herts/Middx Division 2.

Reza was presented with a portrait of himself painted by Paul Talbot, the Chairman of the Mini-section.  Reza, in his response, thanked the Club Committee and administrators for all the help that they had given during the Club’s revival and to all the players who had so whole heartedly supported him.

It is a Pinner tradition that most of the wards are voted on by the players. Those receiving the engraved tankards were:

Best player Martin Goodwin

Best newcomer Richard Southam

Most improved player Sam Markham

Best young player Aaron Nicholas

‘Burnzy Award’ – Dale ‘Death Threat thumb movement across the throat to oppostion supporter’ Hirst

The Captain’s Shield was presented by Reza Sibilant to the Club Hon Secretary Robin Greenwood to recognise the support that he had given to the team during the past year.

The JPR Williams Endeavour Shield was presented by the 2010-11 recipient Les Chaffe to Brad Seiler for not only being the administrator and fixture secretary for both the youth section and the Pelicans XV but for providing the after match BBQ each week.

Club Colours were presented to Craig Lane for consistently good playing performances over several seasons and for helping with the coaching of the U15 team.

Pinner end season in fine style

For the final league match of the season P&G’s played host to third place Uxbridge and put on one of their best performances to win 32 – 17.  Pinner gave early notice of their intention to avenge the early season defeat by the visitors with an opportunist try by prop Aaron Nicholas. The conversion failed but the five points were a confidence booster.  The Pinner pack  took the game to the much heavier Uxbridge forwards showing fire in the loose and good technique in the tight.  With the referee being very strict at the break-downs several penalties were conceded but Uxbridge failed to take advantage.  P&G’s were now guilty of over confidence and miss-handling allowed Uxbridge to scoop up the ball to run in a try, which was converted. The visitors now led 7 -5 but Pinner were not to be denied.  On the half hour a clever chip over the defence by scrum-half Craig Lane allowed flying winger Chris Jepson to out-pace the cover to score close in.  Mark Razzell added the two points to give the home team a half-time lead of 12 – 5.

The second half started with Uxbridge again not being able to capitalise on kickable penalties but with only five minutes gone Pinner got another penalty on the Uxbridge 22. Rather than take the easy kick scrum-half Lane darted through the flat-footed defence to scored under the posts and with Razzell adding the extra two points P&G’s now had a comfortable 19 – 7 lead.  Uxbridge were not yet finished, breaking for the back of a ruck in the Pinner half they got the ball wide to score in the right corner.  With only ten minutes remaining both sides were engaged in attacking rugby and zealous commitment to rucks and mauls led to several more penalties.  Razzell now had his kicking-boots on and was able to stretch the P&G lead to 22 – 12.  However Uxbridge stirred themselves for a final onslaught.  Their backs were at last moving with more precision and a well executed try was their reward.  Now, with only one score between the teams, Uxbridge seemed to have the momentum.  Their backs began a promising move into the home sides territory but the ever alter Chris Jepson intercepted their final pass top sprint 60 m to score his second try under the posts.  Razzell added the points and a couple of minutes later he brought his personal tally to 12 with a final penalty.  Uxbridge now seems reconciled to defeat and Pinner had a last minute chance to add to their score but the final pass went astray.  P&G’s ended the season on a high note for Reza Sibilants last game as Captain with a bonus point win by 32 – 17.

Pelicans also in action.

Pinner Pelicans, a mixture of 2^nd XV and Veterans took on Fullerians from Watford.  The visitors had won their Vets League and with their 2^nd XV not having a match they brought a very large squad.  Such is the nature of this class of rugby that the visitors were able to substitute players at will and bring on a totally new front row at half time.  Pelican replacements were a few mature gentlemen putting in brief cameo performances.  However everyone enjoyed the day.

The Club will be defending the Middx CRFU 7 a-side Vase, which they won last season at the MCRFU Club 7’s at Richmond on Sunday 6^th May.

A Picture of You!

It’s that time again – time for a kind of competition.

This year there is going to be a Grand Prize Raffle Draw.

First Prize will be a painted portrait of you either in action whilst playing rugby or a selected image of your choice.

This is a one off opportunity to own an original painting – acrylic on canvas.

Previous winners of a painting have been ‘Bullet’ who requested a little more than what was originally on offer! See example below.

A fantastic new painting will be added shortly

How do you enter?

Simple, purchase a Prize Draw Ticket

What is the cost?

£7 per ticket or £10 for two now that’s not a bad return for a painting that would cost up to £750!

When will the draw take place?

Pinner Rugby Club AGM Friday 15th June (England v Sweden European Qualifier)

All profit will go to Pinner Rugby Club.