Scarborough Rugby Festival

Doncaster Under 8’s Update

Afternoon Training for the coaches

Showing off their medals

The Grey Mist closes in

Twinkle Toes strikes again

Billy Whiz addresses the team

Last weekend, the Miracle Drywash and Autoglass® sponsored Doncaster Under 8’s headed away for their first ever tour. The destination was Scarborough; the sun was trying to break through and the team were dressed to impress in their pink tour t-shirts. Friday night saw the team strut their stuff amongst the dance troops that were in town, and the parents were even questioned whether the funky pink brigade were here for the rugby or the dancing.

Saturday Morning dawned on a tired team and, as is becoming customary in festivals, we got off to the worst start losing to Blackburn. The team rallied and under the watchful eye of coach Jo, they came back to have comprehensive wins against the host team, Scarborough, and Yorkshire rivals, Yarnbury. Although the festival was played for participation and enjoyment, everyone was pleased to be top of the table at the end of Day 1. An afternoon of fun and games followed before pizza for everyone and a night of judging Britain's Got Talent and some very in-depth conversations about celebrity status.

Sunday morning arrived and with a very quiet pitch (most teams were still in bed when we arrived), the team started to shake out the cobwebs and set about the day's task of rugby and fun. The day started with the rematch against Blackburn, and the team worked really hard to earn a draw. Then after refueling on Milky Bars, and the coaches starring on TV, the team went on to beat Scarborough and Yarnbury again, meaning that unofficially, they finished top of the league for the weekend. Only one thing left to do – collect their medals !!

Before leaving for home, Captain BJ Howe gave a post match speech over lunch, and the boys were presented with a momento of their weekend and some awards for their endeavours. Most effort went to Frazer "Grey Mist" Eland, top try scorer went to Aaron "Twinkle Toes" Donald, and player of the weekend as voted by the opposition coaches went to BJ "Billy Whiz" Howe.

Well done to everyone for their efforts, and a massive thanks to Jo for organizing the whole weekend.

A Day At The Park

Doncaster Knights Under 8's Training

All ears

Hands ready

Looking for the support

With the pitches declared unplayable again this week at Castle Park, the Miracle Drywash and Autoglass-sponsored Doncaster Knights Under 8's headed to the park, determined not to let their preparations for next week's festival be affected.

The fresh morning air went to everyone's head with even the coaches joining in the warm up run around the park!! It wasn't long before everyone had got used to the 'soft' ground, and the boys were running through their passing exercises with real confidence, and even when the coaches introduced some more tricky stages, the team looked relaxed and confident in their approach.

The expanding squad worked really hard together and there was some crisp passing on display in the final practice match, where Dan Pendergast showed some strength and determination in his running and passing, and the support play from Owain Herring would have given England a boost the day before.

This is a TEAM with ability throughout, and they go into next week's festival with the aim of having some real fun, and who knows what is possible!! Good luck boys.

Anyone for a mudbath ??

Oliver times his pass

Conor bursts through

BJ finds the gap

Sunday saw the Miracle Drywash and Autoglass®-sponsored Doncaster Knights Under 8's head to the North of the county to test themselves against a strong Harrogate outfit.

Once they had found their way across the mud planes to the slightly more solid ground of the pitch, they set about their task. Conor Gilmore picked up where he left off last week, collecting TAGS for souvenirs and scoring his first ever try for the club.

Despite the snow that was starting to fall, the Knights team pressured well and were unlucky to be edged out 7 tries to 6 in the first game.

The team huddled together and hatched a master plan for the second game, and with some great defence and pressure, causing several mistakes from Harrogate, Player of the Day, Thomas Colcombe, led the way with some determined running and great support from Aaron Donald, BJ Howe and Niall Bates - saw Doncaster take control and run out winners by 19 tries to 9. An excellent result which saw the whole squad smiling through the shivers.

Next week sees the team take on Bradford and Bingley with the chance to overturn the slip up from earlier in the season - GOOD LUCK BOYS !!

Aaron leading the U8s on the attack

Huddling in the cold and the mud

He draws, he passes, Niall catches, runs and scores. Crowd cheers!


Doncaster Knights Under 8's
http://www.drfc.co.uk/MoreRugby/Junior/under8s/