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U9  2009-10  -  Page 4
 
   
 
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Ivel U9  at the Somerset Tournament   -  Sunday 28th March 2010
vs Minehead
Pictures from Sara Cole
 

Ivel travelled to the annual Somerset cup contest and found themselves in a very difficult group containing Minehead, Nailsea and Keynsham.

Minehead first and Ivel started well, the ball was moved around well and the early score came. Minehead came straight back and attacked the Ivel line, however the boys tackled and pushed them back with a steely determination. Soon the ball was at the over end and Ivel scored again.

Ivel seemed to relax and minehead took the oppurtunity well and scored a try of there own, the last couple of minutes were frantic but Minehead did not cross the line.        FT 2-1
 
vs Keynsham
Pictures from Sara Cole
 

Up next were Keynsham, who had a massive squad with them, we knew this would be a tall order.
The game started with Keynsham throwing everything at Ivel, but the boys defensive work was superb, tackle after tackle was made, no ground was given eventually the pressure told and Keynsham scored 3 tries without reply. Ivel didnt give up and looked like scoring but the final pass was knocked on or didn't go to hand. Keynsham scored again with some very good play. Ivel carried on and finally got the score they deserved.
 
vs Nailsea
Pictures from Sara Cole
 

A win was needed in the Final game if there was to be any further progress.

Nailsea were next. Ivel came flying out of the blocks and scored with the first passage of play. then the game went from end to end with both teams looking as if they could score. Nailsea however scored the next try and the game was level. with only seconds remaining ivel made a break and as the tackle came in the ball was offloaded for a score in the corner.

 
vs Taunton
Pictures from Sara Cole
 

So into the plate semi final against hosts Taunton.

The game started badly for Ivel with Taunton scoring straight away.   This made Ivel throw everything at them. The ball was being offloaded out of tackles, every maul was being moved forward and the rucking was ferrocious. Ivel thought they had scored but had three tries disallowed by the referee. Although they gave everything Taunton ran out winners.
Ft 1-0

Another great day of rugby by this maturing young Ivel team. They have continued to improve week after week.   With a tour to Cornwall and the Bournemouth Tournament to come it will be an exciting end to a great season. Well done all.
 
 
   
 
 
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Ivel U9 at the Bournemouth Tournament - April 2010
 
Pictures from Sara Cole
 

The young Ivel team again played some very good rugby at the annual Bournemouth competition, coming second in their group with 1 draw, a loss and two great wins. The standard is getting higher each year at this tournament, with teams now travelling considerable distances.

Ivel may have taken two games to get going (a draw against Swanage and a loss against Romsey) but it was worth the wait for all who travelled to watch. The final two group games were must win if they wanted to progress. The first game against an unbeaten Bournemouth team turned out to be a surprise result (except for those who were in the Ivel colours) the young Baa Baas ran the ball with purpose, always having someone on both shoulders if needed. They out scored their opponents 4 tries to 1.

The final group game was against a team from Battersea. This turned out to be the most physical game of rugby I have seen from children of 8 and 9. No one from any team was taking a backward step, the tackling was hard but fair, clearing out at the ruck area was ferrocious but very clean. Ivel managed to get past their opponents 2 scores to 1, but it could of gone either way. So into the semi final. Again a hard battle continued on the field, unfortunetly Ivel could not quite get the better of Salisbury, losing out by 1 score.

Once again a great day at a very tough Festival of rugby. Everybody thoroughly enjoyed a very competitive day. The young Ivel team again were a credit to the club their parents and most of all themselves.