Liskeard 17, Letchworth 20

A brace of tries by Hayley won the game, her second from the final play finally overturning Liskeard's lead, which had been extended to 17-10 within a minute of Sasha's try.

The light cloud had now cleared and the sun was beating down.

The exciting climax came from a lineout near halfway, which had been delayed by several minutes to patch Hayley up. From a clean take the ball found Hayley who sprinted across the field downhill breaking two tackles to touch down in the corner.

But everyone had contributed to the win, with the team playing better as the game went on.

• Coach player of the match: Hayley.
• Parents player: Carla

HT: Liskeard 7, Letchworth 5

Close half with most of the play in Letchworth half.

However slow passing by the home team reduced the advantge so that the first real scoring chance was a break by Hayley.

In the end the pressure told with a Liskeard try, well converted.

But Letch were not finished and a well worked try by Katie at the break reduced the lead.

Latest: 12-10. Quick home try leveled by Sasha from 5m penalty. 18 minutes left.

The serious stuff begins...

Liskeard at last. After diversions and big red lorries on small roads
its 10am and we've found the ground!

Ringed by trees and partly dug out of a hill its not unattractive. .

The sun is shining and its also raining!

Lots of South West kit on show. Should be interesting. Stay tuned...

National sevens "on"

RFUW have announced today that the National 7s will go ahead as planned.

A week ago the event was threatened with cancelation as only two adult teams had entered. Since that scare there has been a rush of entries in all categories and as a result the event is now secure.

In fact all U17 places are now taken, and almost all U14 and adult, so an event that it was feared might have too few teams max now be oversubscribed!

Arrived

Its just after 1 o'clock and everyone is out on the field at Exeter Saracens training. No incidents to report. Attempts to decorate Joe failed - but Sophie is a heavier sleeper it seems!

Warm, humid but plenty of grass.

Slight research failing as Joe seems to have confused Exeter Saracens with Exeter Chiefs!

Exeter Tour: Reports directly from the touchline

For those of you who will not be in the land of cider and clotted cream this weekend the blog will cotinue to run, keeping you in touch with everything that is going on in the far south-west. Well, most of it - unfortunately (or firtunately) I'm not on the bus, but am travelling separately - partly because I have to be back at work on Monday morning.

 

This will be partly because I will be experimenting with a new element of the blog which will allow me to post information on here directly from a mobile phone. So you will be able to read all about the matches and non-match happenings as they happen.

 

Well, that is the theory.

 

At this stage it will probably be just text - no pictures - unless I can find a way to send them as well. But even that may be a good thing....

 

 

Weldon look back: local press coverage

I E Weldon's tour is making the headlines now they are back in Canada. Both Corrie and Kirk have been interviewed by their local daily newspaper - see here for the article.

I wonder which forwards Kirk had in mind?

Meanwhile has anyone looked in any detail at the messages on the flag? If you get the chance, have a look just to the right of the maple leaf...

"Babe" was unavailable for comment...

Girls vs Boys

Training for the U11 tag team for this year's Herts Youth games begins on 22nd April (first Sunday back), running from 9am to 10.30 (ie. generally before the main training).

This is a great opportunity for those of you who have done your Level 1s or been on the "Start Rugby" course to put your skills into practice - so could I have some volunteers to assist on 22nd, 29th April and/or 5th May?

If you want a bit of incentive, the boy's tag team for the same competition will be training at the same time - and some practice matches are planned between the two squads. It would be kinda good if the girls could beat the boys (and they should, unless the boys team is full of "ringers") - and the more of you we can have inspring the girls on to greatness the more chance they will have.

Let me know what you can do to help.

Tour Metting Reminder

IMPORTANT NEWS

Tomorrow evening there will be a meeting in the clubhouse for all touring players and their parents. It is really important that you all make the effort to attend and bring your parents with you.

The meeting will start at 7:10 so please start to arrive from 7:00. The meeting will take the place of U17 training thus avoiding any last minute injuries. It shouldn't take very long and we should be done by 7:40ish.

There are a few things to clear up final bits of money to collect and parental consent forms to give back. Hopefully the tour shirts will have arrived to be given out as well. It will also give your parents the chance to ask the touring managment any questions.

Please email me or leave a comment on here to let me know if you are attending or not.

Tour

With the countdown continuing tour is getting ever closer and with every day passing I bring good news.

THE TOUR SHIRTS ARE HERE!!!!!!

So as planned these will be handed out at tomorrows meeting to ensure that you arrive on Friday wearing them.

Please can all of the touring party make an effort to attend tomorrows meeting and bring a parent along with you. 7:10 start. No under 17 training!!!

Not long left!!!

Flag presentation - and farewells

Thanks to Mike, one last post about the Canadians. After the game yesterday they gave us back our maple leaf flag, suitably enscribed by all the team and (I think) coaches.

I E Weldon "fan club", with Vikki, Robin, and Callie.

I E Weldon coaching team - Matt, Sandra, Kirk and Tom

Return to matters domestic - Awards evening etc.

After a thrilling climax to the I E Weldon's tour today at Hertford (7-5, Corrie scoring the equalising try with final play, and then the winning kick going over - anyone remember who kicked it? Nerves of steel) its back to matters domestic.

But before doing so a big thanks to everyone who made it today - I know Weldon really appreciated the support, both today and at Welwyn. The whole team have signed the flag with messages of thanks etc. which will go up in the clubhouse on Wednesday. I also have some copies of their tour guide to give out.

Incidentally there have been many comments in praise of you all from the English teams since Wednesday - things like "I have to say that for one of the stronger sides in the region your girls are good sports and a pleasure for the visiting team". Well done everyone!

Anyway.... Tour meeting Wednesday - as covered elsewhere (have you seen the countdown clock to the right? Joe's idea). On Wednesday could we also have trophies back from Hayley, Natalie, and Jess as well. You also need to start thinking about your "Player's Player" award winner - we will be asking for nominations soon. This should go to the person you think it key to the team, ie. not necessarily the "best player". It is also worth remembering that the U17 Player of the Year is being decided on a points system this year, based on turnout at training, match appearences, and so on - so there could be some unexpected winners this season!

These awards - plus the "Most Improved" award - will be given out at a special junior awards dinner (including boys teams down to U13) on Friday 27th April at the club - so make sure you are available!! Tickets will not be expensive - about £6 probably - so there is no excuse to miss out.

Next season's fixtures

A first look at key dates for next year has now been issued (see the Herts blog).

This will almost certainly undergo several revisions, but at presnt this is what 2007/8 may look like.

Come and say farewell to Weldon

Doing anything tomorrow afternoon? No? Then come along to Hertford RFC to cheer on our Canadian guests in their final game (kick-off 3.30) and see them on their way.

The lost narrowly today 31 (or 29?) (or even 34? - thank you anon) to 20 - five tries to four - and had Welwyn on the run until a (hopefully not too) serious injury to a Welwyn player resulted in a break in play and chance for the home team to regroup.

The Weldon girls - who had a really great time on Wednesday, both the matches and what went on afterwards - made a point of asking if we could be there tomorrow for their final game. So if you can make it you'd be hugely welcome.

And you can start practising now. 1, 2, 3...

GO WELDON!!

This Weekend

No training this weekend!!!!

Baggage reclaim

I am in possession of a large quantity of sleeping bags which require returnign to their owners. I'll bring them along on Wednesday in the hope of happy reunions.

U17+U14: Tour Meeting

IMPORTANT NEWS

Next Wednesday 6th April there will be a meeting in the clubhouse for all touring players and their parents. It is really important that you all make the effort to attend and bring your parents with you.

The meeting will start at 7:10 so please start to arrive from 7:00. The meeting will take the place of U17 training thus avoiding any last minute injuries. It shouldn't take very long and we should be done by 7:40ish.

There are a few things to clear up final bits of money to collect and parental consent forms to give back. Hopefully the tour shirts will have arrived to be given out as well. It will also give your parents the chance to ask the touring managment any questions.

Please email me or leave a comment on here to let me know if you are attending or not.

Canada Day: Letchbury (Letchworth/ Sudbury) 17, I E Weldon 10

Canada Day: Aylesbury 5, I E Weldon 24

Canada Day: Barbarians (Ely/ Peterborough/ Towcester) 0, I E Weldon 17