Firstly, get well soon soon Harry Foyle! He was injured during a tackle on Sunday at Beccs; he has torn his thigh muscle and hip flexor. Poor Harry is on crutches for a few day and will not be playing sport for 2-4 weeks.

Beccs Festival Report from Pete
The sunny day at Beccs for mothers day meant we had a got lot of supporters and all the players turned up on time (except Noah who went MIA and Yasser turned up when he was supposed to be home training!)

We started the day warmed up and ready to play Alleyians. We didn't find our tempo in the first half and let 3 easy tries in - their fast lad in the scrum cap was just too quick for us and we were not hunting in pairs. The second half we found our feet with a try from Luke and one from Shay (from a great run by Leon being stopped 1 metre short of the try line), but the Alleyians scored 2 as well, so the match endedwith a loss 6-2.

Next up, was Dartfodians, and again we started slow allowing them to get an easy first try. But battling hard we managed to stop the second try and their kid dropped the ball just short of our try line and we turned it over. Twice we managed to get a 7 tackle turn over and Thomas skipped through the middle but ran past the dead ball area (with the pack chasing him) and out of play. They scored another try in the second half and then Shay found a great line putting us to within one. We were hitting hard and had the upper hand, but we ran out of time and the game fined with a loss of 2-1. It was bar far a better performance from the team.

Third match against Cranbrook. Again a slow and sloppy start had them up 3 before we found our feet, but a great try from Joseph M kept us in the game. We had some good turn overs after 7 tackles, but then we ended up running into touch and handing the ball back to them. The second half and we had Leon put a great try in from down the wing, but our tackling rate wasn't good enough and we ended with a loss of 5-2.

The final game against Sidcup and we fell apart. They did some high tackling (Leon got hit twice) and we didn't try to get our own back and let them run through us a number of times. The game ended with a crushing defeat of 6-0.
So overall, we didn't play as well as we could and again let the opponents hit us too often and we didn't seem hungry at all except in the Dartfordians game where we played extremely well. We also continued to run sideways or try and do exhibition passing too near our try line. The kids got better through the tournament (apart from the last game), and really showed we need to go into the games more switched on, hungry for the ball and ready to hit hard first. More tournament play will get them ready for the Surrey festivals next month.

Players of the week were Joseph M (some exceptional tackling and running forward) and Jonnie (a massive work rate and great running forward with the ball). Highly commended are Thomas, Leon and Shay with again good running a a high tackle rate, but someimes ended up running with the ball too long and not passing, and then some exceptional plays by Tavis, Harry F, Luke, Angus who made a few great runs and tackles, but need to do it more consistently.

Well done to all and thanks for coming, let's learn from this and see how the next few festivals go!

Home Training report from Justin
Training at home today was a good session albeit a little shorter than normal. We had 17 lads and initially worked on fitness & ball handling.
Then used the pads to practice staying on their feet in contact and off loading the ball to a supporting player. This was an excellent drill and got the energy levels up.

A game followed and I saw a great demonstration of quick ball by Bear and Edward that created space for Hayden to take a great try. Great thinking by the players and listening to their coaches as well.
Did a couple of passing drills but wrapped up early due to the weather and poor pitch conditions.

I would add that the U9s were the last age group to leave the training pitches today so a great shift by the lads in not great conditions..

Players of the week were Kris and Archie. Well deserved lads, well done

This coming Sunday 13th
There will be home training with Justin for those not playing in the festival at Guildford. I will be at Guildford too so could I have a volunteer to take the home training register please?

I will send a separate email with more info about Guildford, but the children who are playing are:

A Team
Seamus
Bear
Lars
Lucas K
William M
Jack
Edward P
Jonathon P
Tavis
Krish

B Team
Henry H (needs to leave by 12.30)
Hayden
Dominic H
Alex T
Conor
James S
Brenn
Harry K
Archie
Angus

Tour shirts should not be worn at the festival - the children need to wear their main sponsored kit. Also, remember the £5 festival fee.

Minehead Tour Shirts and Accommodation
I have sent out an email about the tour, asking you to check the details (let me know if I missed you off the email list). Please get back to me as soon as you can about the accommodation and by Sunday evening at the latest about the shirts. The shirts will be in the Committee Room at the club next Sunday in a box if you need to try them for size.

Worthing B Festival on the 20th
Please fill in the doodle poll about availability for Worthing.

http://doodle.com/poll/ixb6twm3xiwd7z7z

Just a little moan..
Please could you make sure yours and your child’s information on Pitchero is complete.

Other dates
27th March – Easter (might train depending upon demand)
10th April – Surrey A (at Dorking) (1 team)
17th April – Surrey B (at Sutton & Epsom) (2 teams)
24th April – Surrey Dev (at TBC) (2 teams)
1st May – Minis Tour - 23 kids (2 or 3 teams)
8th May – Awards afternoon

Other reminders:
We are supporting Sports Relief at the club on Sunday 20th March 2016 (the same day as the Worthing B festival). We need your fundraising ideas. The U9s fund raising page is

https://my.sportrelief.com/sponsor/warlinghamrfcu9s

We are part of the WRFC Minis page which is at

https://my.sportrelief.com/sponsor/teamWarlinghamRugbyFootballClub

5. Saracens v Harlequins Game Saturday 16th April 2016 . KO 15.15pm at Wembley. Adults £20, U16’s £7.50 (plus booking fee).

Book online at www.saracens.com/wembley. All tickets purchased using the club code before Saturday 20th March 2016 will be seated together.

Thanks everyone. Good luck to the boys playing at the Guildford festival!

Jane Hansen
U9 team admin

on behalf of Peter Jerrom
U9 Head Coach ad Minis’ Chairman