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| • Toby Garrick powers through the mud as Liam Murphy shouts encouragment. Ref: P5531-12-08SH |
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| • Ref: P5539-12-08SH |
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| • Joseph Craven. P5541-12-08SH |
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| • Toby Garrick, Archie Marchant and Sam Kennaugh. Ref: P5745-12-08SH |
Sidmouth Minis Rugby Tour 2008
PICTURES BY SIMON HORN
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As the players, coaches and supporters gathered at the Triangle on Saturday morning, it was obvious that this tour was going to be a wet one. However, it was clear that the boys were not going to let a bit (well, a lot actually) of rain dampen their spirits and, as we pulled away en route to our first port of call, Weston-super-Mare, they soon burst into song.
Our first stop was actually at a services to try to put a phone call in to see if the game was still going ahead. As there was no reply we optimistically assumed it was game on but, looking at some of the giant sandwiches that were being eaten, I wasn’t sure the boys were going to be able to walk back to the bus, let alone play rugby.
We arrived at Weston-super-Mare to be greated by near monsoon conditions, with pouring rain and a heavy, waterlogged pitch. To the boys’ delight it was announced that the games were still on. It is to their great credit that the players, on all the teams, strived to play attractive, attacking rugby in spite of the dreadful pitch conditions. For full match reports and photos see inside this supplement. After a well deserved hot shower and hot dogs, presentations were made to all the players, while the coaches and supporters dried off and rehydrated appropriately in the bar! It was then back onto the bus for the next, long leg of the journey, to Swansea.
When we finally arrived at the hotel in Swansea it appeared that head coach Jason Allen had played ‘a blinder’ and had booked us into what would have to be described as a more than decent hotel. It had a gym, a large swimming pool and we had been allocated a private dining room with its own bar, a big-screen TV to watch the five-nations rugby and a giant buffet.
Once everyone was settled into their rooms and had refuelled, we were transported by coach to the local ten pin bowling alley, where the amateurs had a great time trying to see if we could inch our scores past 100, but I couldn’t help noticing there seemed to be a rather competitive lane which involved, amongst others, the under 9 coaches. Jason Allen clearly was not only playing an organisational blinder, but had clearly ‘bowled’ before. I hadn’t realised you needed the mincing footwork of Julian Clary to get strike after strike, but Jason proved me wrong as he won his lane with a score of 173. Pete Thomas came second with a score of 151 and Nigel Evans third with 120. Stuart Morgan and Andrew Down were far too ‘butch’ for this game and barely reached 100!
After a good night’s sleep, Sunday morning dawned, with the rain continuing to pour down. Following a hearty breakfast, the boys eagerly awaited the phone call to find out if Sunday’s matches against a local team would go ahead. Sadly, the weather and pitch conditions meant that they were cancelled. However, the organisers went into "Plan B" mode and after breakfast Sidmouth invaded the hotel's swimming pool for a couple of hours. We then left the hotel and, as the weather finally cleared, we stopped for the tour photos. The shopping trip in Bridgend was a harrowing experience for some, particularly once back on the coach when it appeared that some of the children had bought referee whistles. The last leg of the tour was a ‘mystery’ visit to Cardiff. The big, secret surprise was unveiled when we were taken to the Dr Who exhibition. This was a wonderful finale for the teams and all the boys had a fabulous time looking around and relieving their parents of vast amounts of money in the Dr Who shop.
On the journey home the team stopped for the presentation of Tour Medals for players and for the hardy supporters who cheered the teams on, arriving back in Sidmouth at about 8pm.
The whole tour was a great success, a little light on rugby, but the weather was to blame for that. Three cheers for the coaches and the organisers for planning such a good tour.
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• Sidmouth Minis: all three teams line up for a picture.
Ref:
P5717-12-08SH |
• The Under 8s team. Ref: P5605-12-08SH |
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| • The Under 9s team. Ref: P5594-12-08SH |
• Douglas Evans. Ref: P5571-12-08SH |
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| • Ref: P5519-12-08SH |
• Ref: P5543-12-08SH |
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| • Ref: P5579-12-08SH |
• Ref: P5549-12-08SH |
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| • Ref: P5557-12-08SH |
• Ref: P5590-12-08SH |
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| • Keen supporter Thomas Mead. Ref: P5522-12-08SH |
• Cade Hayman
Ref: P5555-12-08SH |
• Toby Garrick.
Ref: P5533-12-08SH |
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• Flynn Wright.
Ref: P5551-12-08SH |
• Ref: P5564-12-08SH |
• Ref: P5570-12-08SH |
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| • Ref: P5589-12-08SH |
• Ref: P5560-12-08SH |
• Ref: P5572-12-08SH |
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| • Amy Lowe. Ref: P5587-12-08SH |
• Ref: P5591-12-08SH |
• Jason Allen with son Jake Allen. Ref: P5805-12-08SH |
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| • Andy Down and Rob Marchant with sons Will and Archie. Ref: P6035-12-08SH |
• Sam Kennaugh and Archie Marchant.
Ref: P5738-12-08SH |
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| • Harrison Coleman, Liam Murphy and Will Kennaugh. Ref: P5614-12-08SH |
• These lads are not scared of a dalek!
Ref: P5754-12-08SH |
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| • Ref: P5707-12-08SH |
• Joe Buckland, Toby Pugsley, Joe Lowe, Cade Hayman and Jasper Fitzhenry.
Ref: P5641-12-08SH |
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| • Flynn Wright, Ollie Pugsley, Ethan Mead and Toby Pugsley. Ref: P5638-12-08SH |
• Steve, Amy and Joe Lowe with Joe Buckland. Ref: P5701-12-08SH |
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| • Ref: P5634-12-08SH |
• Ref: P5618-12-08SH |
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| • Ref: P5670-12-08SH |
• Ref: P5686-12-08SH |
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| • Ref: P5756-12-08SH |
• Ref: P5672-12-08SH |
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| • Ref: P5656-12-08SH |
• Piper Marchant. Ref: P5697-12-08SH |
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| • Ref: P5711-12-08SH |
• Ref: P5749-12-08SH |
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| • Ref: P5655-12-08SH |
• Yvonne and Chris Robinson.
Ref: P5698-12-08SH |
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| • Ref: P5706-12-08SH |
• Ref: P5658-12-08SH |
• Ref: P5709-12-08SH |
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| • Ref: P5796-12-08SH |
• Ref: P5609-12-08SH |
• Ref: P5629-12-08SH |
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