Looking ahead: from now to the Easter tour

Thought it might be useful to do a quick rundown of what, where, who, why etc. for the next few weeks, 'cause what with regionals, cups, tours, etc. its quite tricky.

This Wednesday (and ever Wednesday) training as usual - but this week hopefully Mike will be coming to say fond farewells. Bring plenty of tissues.

Sunday 4th. At home to Saracens & Peterborough (and/with maybe Ampthill depending on their team meeting tomorrow). Kick-off 1.30. Saracens bringing nine girls in each age group, Peterborough four U17s so at the minute it looks like a 7-a-side game for the U14s and 13-a-side for U17s unless Ampthill provide some players/a team as well, or we get any of the U14 girls from Hitchin Girls or Highfield.

Sunday 11th. U17s training in the morning - start time and venue TBC - but assume 10.30 and at the club unless you hear otherwise.

U14s will be going to see England play France in the Six Nations at Old Albanians, where the U17s can join them after training. After their 32-0 win in Ireland at the weekend a win over the French should virtually sew up Englands second successive Six Nations title, with only Wales standing in the way of a Grand Slam. In fact England have not conceeded a single point so far this season - but on the other hand their recent record against France in the Six Nations is not good, with only one win out in the last three games. France are also unbeaten this season, and finished third in the World Cup - so you will be watching the best two teams in the Northern Hemisphere battling it out!

Kick-off will be at 1.45, preceeded by an "A" international kicking off at 12.00. £7.50 for adults, £2.50 for children - and free parking!

Hayley, Nim and Fern will be missing all this as they'll be at region.

Sunday 18th. Looks like a weekend off for U17s at least to rest and prepare for the following weekend. Except for Hayley, Nim and Fern who will be knocking lumps off each other at the East Midlands vs East game in Leicester.

Sunday 25th. National cup for both U14s and U17s... and we STILL do not know where you will be.

Sunday 1st April. Training at Letchworth, except for the above three superstars who (selections permitting) will be playing either at Ely or wherever East Mids are at.

Tuesday 3rd April. I E Weldon arrive from Ontario, probably early afternoon. Meet-and-greeters required. Also large supply of sleeping bags if possible.

Wednesday 4th April. "International" U17 festival at Letchworth! I E Weldon, plus teams (or at least players) from equally exotic places such as Aylesbury, Towcester, and Sudbury - and maybe other places too. Should be enough for at least three or four teams over all so we can have a round-robin touranment. I'd like to offer them some sort of "party"or at least social event afterwards - ideas please.

Friday 6th April. I E Weldon depart for somewhere in East Herts. You all get the weekend off to eat large quantities of chocolate.

Following week. Off to Devon. Incidentally, just learnt last week that Basildon/Rochford will be in Exeter the weekend before we tour, playing more of less the same teams as well!