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Training - Sunday 10.15 -1200 |
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Shire S1-2 approached the match against Mackie with some optimism following a good display against Garioch. There were, however, warning signs in the size of the Mackie squad (around 30). |
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While our good forward form shown against Garioch continued, the excellent basic tackling and passing of Mackie led to us being almost engulfed. We had just too many reluctant tacklers. |
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There was certainly a silver lining on our black cloud with sound forward work led by a very promising front row. Andrew Cook continued his transformation into a try-scoring machine while, less visibly but just as effectively, tight head Sean drove mauls with enormous commitment. |
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For the backs there was one memorable moment when Mackie kicked and it needed immense bravery to take the ball in the face of a rampant chasing pack. Lewis showed willing and took a heavy pounding. Well done. Chris and Calvin also tackled their hearts out. |
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Following this heavy beating, it was with trepidation that we faced a visit from Banff. Any worried would have been intensified in seeing the size of the Banff team. No-one will forget the number 5! |
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It was a hard-fought, tough battle, but our forward power, growing every match, eventually triumphed over a team reliant on powerful individual runs. |
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All those prominent at Mackie were again to the fore. The lineout worked very well and Neal, in a new position, had by far his best game to date. |
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We faced next the long trip to Banff for a large gathering. Once more all the same ingredients were present. Our front row had become mighty, our forwards formidable, our centres hardened. The biggest surprise was our comprehensive victory over Mackie who had split their resources into two teams but still seemed different players to those who had crushed us a few weeks previously. We also had a hard won victory against a young Garioch team who showed the virtue of simple padding. |
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Lastly we faced a Banff team on their home turf who had also won all their games. |
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Once more our forwards smashed their scrum and made all the running in rucks and mauls. Chris and Calvin ran hard and tackled hard. This time, though, Banff's powerful runners, particularly number 5, won |
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Nevertheless, it was a pleasing day with stand-off Ryan showing some polish and eventually managing to make his voice heard with sensible advice. The icing on the cake was a peerless display of drop-kicking from Andrew Cook. |
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Not only, but also &ldots; |
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For the future, Shire's strategy is to work hard with the key schools in our area to mutual benefit. This has already shown good results but by far the best was the recent performance of Bankhead (aka Shire) Academy in all-Aberdeen tournament. |
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To set the scene, at the start of the year there was a similar tournament and while 'non-rugby' schools had no answer to Glynn's hard running, equally Bankhead had no chance at all facing the slick, well-trained and drilled Grammar School contingent. |
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This time only four schools had entered - Bankhead and rugby-playing Grammar, Robert Gordons and Cults - all with big, self-confident, experienced teams drawn from large pools of potential players. Bankhead were picking from fourteen players, some of whom had played very little rugby. It looked like it was going to be a very long afternoon. |
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What a shock! And not just for me. In their first game against Grammar, Bankhead completely dominated territory and possession giving their accomplished opponents a torrid time |
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&ldots;.Centres used to gliding round opponents were flung to the ground. Mauls were driven 20 metres. The ball on the ground was instantly turned over. Grammar had to rely on scraps and on a little bit of technical knowledge. They knew enough to prevent the release of the ball from driving mauls. This would not have mattered if the scrums were contestable but this had been ruled out. We therefore lost possession in a number of scoring positions. In the event, Grammar scored from an early Bankhead error, direct from the re-start and from a late break away while Bankhead could only force the ball over once but no one watching would have been in any doubt who had been in charge. |
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If this seems a biased account, proof positive was in the next game against Robert Gordon's College playing on their revered home ground with the honour roll of past and present internationals produced by the school looking down on us from the clubhouse walls. While the final score may have said it was two tries to one for Bankhead, the truth was RGC were rarely out of their own half and often on their backs. I doubt if RGC have ever been beaten by a school starting in rugby. It was an inspirational display. Bankhead went on to win their final game against a very big Cults team. |
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As in Shire S1/2's victories this season, the front row were crucial, dictating everything with which they were involved. This time there was a new element in the quick hands of Jimmy who, after one early error, gave passes which allowed other players the time to get in front of the forwards before they were caught. |
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For the school, it was a great event. For Aberdeenshire it was a great encouragement. The training done in the school has had an effect. Boys who have not been to Shire for training were showing good technique in tackling. Even better, they want to come to Shire in the future. |
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Of course, there other schools that we must also work with. If you can help with coaching please ask us. |
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Match Fees |
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All children must remember to pay £1 match fee . This is the only way we can keep yearly subscriptions down |
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Due to fixtures we will have to change the next meeting to the 9th of may at 12.15 after training Our A.G.M will be held on Sun 6th of June after training, All nominations for posts within the colts committee will be voted on. |
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COACHES/PARENTS BIG NIGHT OOT one week before the fun day/ end of season Friday 4th June, ideas for THE night out??? |
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FUN DAY/PRIZEGIVING Sunday 13th June |
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Do we want to go along same lines as last year or is there any fresh ideas out there??. This will be the end of season so lets make it a good one |
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Eric |
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CJ Sports will give all Colts a 12.5% discount (non sale items) on boots, clothing etc. if you mention you are from Aberdeenshire. Aberdeenshire Rugby tops, shorts and socks are now available from Kelly Strachan. Many items are in stock at the Club, ask for details or view price list here. |
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As there are a few home games coming up soon for various age groups we need your help! There are a variety of jobs to do from putting up flags to cooking hot dogs and dishing out juice, Anyone wishing to help in any way contact your age group manager |
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Remember to let your coach know if you require, or have brought your inhaler with you each week |
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There is a Colts notice board up in the club house next to the changing rooms, all contacts and any other relevant information can be found there. |
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Please remember to support the tuck shop after training on a Sunday morning. |
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Juice and biscuit donations are always welcome. |
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Collect special tokens from packs of Kingsmill Bread (ask your friends and family to collect them for your Club too!) |
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Hand your tokens in at training to help your Club receive more rugby kit! |
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