U9's Help to retain The Joules Cup

In wet and windy conditions the boys played some fantastic rugby and in doing so helped Market Harborough retain the Joules Cup by 3.5 points to 2.5 points.

We won our age group (Won 5, Lost 2, Drew 1) and this was key to retaining the Cup, so great work from all players. Olney are a tough side who are high up in the Beds/Northants region.

The All Blacks divided into 2 teams and across both sides the standard was excellent. Great ball retention in slippery conditions, the offloading and support play was the best we've seen yet, this led to some lovely tries with the ball working through many pairs of hands! The tackling against a much bigger Olney side was brave and in terms of technique it was outstanding, with no high tackles and the players in many an instance "double tackling" the player with great instinct and communication. One of the All Blacks sides drew 8-8 in the first game and then won 11 - 10 In the second. The other side won 15-13 and 12-10

Tigers and Hurricanes played close games and won two and lost two. Again fantastic standard of rugby and the pace of the games were incredible. Olney congratulated us on our hospitality and standard of play. (We did have a few high tackles in the Tigers and Hurricanes games which we need to work on though).

We have a new coach joining us who came up to see the kids in action today and was blown away by the skill and speed of the games. I hope you agree that the kids are doing really well.

We have training next week where we can work on getting those tackles lower (for those teams needing work) but overall from where we started off at U6's to today as a squad these players have excelled beyond all recognition and as parents you should be very proud of them individually and as a collective.

Great work everyone - keep it up.

U9s Coaches