Under 11s match results from pool at Vandals Festival 2010 are:
won vs Staines, 3 - 0.
Won vs Old Emmanuel, 1 - 0.
Lost vs Guildfrodians, 1 - 2.
Won vs Mitcham, 4 - 0.
Won vs Farnborough, 6 - 0.
Tries for - 15, tries against - 2.
Winners of Runners Up Trophy.

Weybridge Vandals 2XV……………...23
Raynes Park 2XV……….……….…..…10

Well it was the first league game of the season and the Super 2’s were focused and ready for the battle that faced them. We started off too keen and gave away too many penalties and Raynes Park capitalised on our mistakes and slotted home the first points of the game.

Then from the restart things didn’t get much better; they kept the pressure on and more mistakes were made and they pounced on a loose ball to score the first try of the game.
0-10 down Vandals regrouped and didn’t let the mistakes phase them and came back stronger with good scrums, line outs, with a long awaited return of Luke Goggin stepping in at second row, and good phases of play. We kept the pressure on and finally it paid off with them conceding a penalty within kicking range which Woody stepped up and took up the offer. 3-10.

The game was back on and we kept the pressure on with Gregor making their centre fumble the ball; he kicked the ball through, picked up the loose ball, out pacing their full back, cut across the park passed it to David Loubser who then popped to Tiger who then side stepped three players and handed off their second row to score under the posts!!
Ok, ok, he was just there to finish the move off.

We went in to half time 8-10 down with it all to play for.
Second half and Raynes Park were on the back foot from the start with good attack from the kick off and with a good double team tackle from Jay Payne and Harry Brooks to keep them camped in their half for a good 5 to 10 minutes. With the pressure paying off once again from a good ruck, Jay Payne picked up from the back of the ruck and weaving his way through their forwards to score a good try 13-10.
Once again there was another good take from the restart to set up the play again and the pressure was still strong making more good-phase play and from the ruck, debut Johan, made yards and passing through the hands and popping to Neil Randall to score in the corner 18-10.

The 0-10 start was a distant memory but Raynes Park weren’t taking this lying down they came back well but with our strong defence kept them out and we cleared our lines from a 22 drop out. The kicking pinball started with Woody deciding to run it and made a good run in to their half and popping from a tackle to ’MY ALARM CLOCK ISN’T LOUD ENOUGH’ BUNNY [Classic! – Ed.] who set up the ruck from which quick ball was made and for another good run from Johan to make good yard for to pass it through the hands and the experienced Matt Dowd to score in the corner 23-10.

Once again Raynes Park came back with two attempts at a penalty which they missed. Spirits were high and Jay had a blistering run down the side line run only to knock the ball on 2 meters from line which earned him Flower Pot of the match shortly after the ref blew for full time and the game was won.
Great start to the season and may it continue.

Matt ‘Tiger’ Baker
Club Mascot

Man of the Match Craig Fraser
Flower Pot of the Match Jay Payne

Winchester 1XV………………………………..3
Weybridge Vandals 1XV……..…………….26

Although Vandals took some time to break down a spirited Winchester side, the result of this league game was never seriously in doubt. But for a lack of precision and fluency in the back line Vandals could well have won by a greater margin. They were given huge amounts of possession by a pack which dominated both the set pieces and much of the open play and if they had not tried to force the issue could surely have put the game to bed before the final quarter when they scored two fine tries. Vandals forwards were immense with the front row of props Wayne Mason, Guy Holvey-Clark and veteran hooker Matthew Dukoff-Gordon giving their opposite numbers a torrid time.

The early phases of the game were evenly fought but Vandals’ scrum from the outset appeared the stronger unit and where they took the first of several strikes against the head, Winchester were caught offside as they attempted to halt a move in the backs. Cassian Bramham-Law converted what was for him a routine kick and shortly afterwards slotted over a second kick after Winchester were penalised at the breakdown. The home side threatened from the restart, one area of the game where Vandals need to improve, as they broke blind and took play to within five metres of the try line. Vandals defended well and won a vital line out to clear their line. They then thwarted another Winchester effort and the forwards and backs combined to create a try for Bramham-Law. The pack drove a maul forward before releasing the ball and new fly half Dominic Jones, who earlier in the game had split the defence with a mesmerising run, went through a gap to pass to the supporting full back Tom Heppleston who exploded a two to one situation putting Bramham-Law in space for the winger to scorch to the line. The same player converted brilliantly from the touchline to take Vandals into half time lead of 13 points to nil.

They had a great chance to extend this lead minutes into the second half after the forwards’ power in the loose had set up a penalty chance, but they chose to go for line out instead of the kick. When Winchester scored themselves from a penalty to reduce the score line Vandals could well have regretted this decision but they soon regained the upper hand and a third Bramham-Law penalty restored their lead. Winchester put together a couple of good attacks, but a great tackle by Heppleston epitomised Vandals strength in defence and Winchester could find no way through for a try which would have bought them back into contention. Already under the cosh they then had to contend with the fresh legs of flanker Fred Hedger and centre Darren Livett. These two brought some urgency to proceedings and from yet another turnover the ball was moved wide to Jonny Howe, who was enjoying a fine game, and the winger went over in the corner. There was now no way back for Winchester and they conceded a third try minutes from the end after Hedger stole a line out and drove forward to setup good ball for the backs and Livett shook off the effects of an injured knee to canter over for the try.

Vandals take a break from league action next week but will be training hard for their next match away to top of the table Guildford (they’re now third – Ed.) on 10th October.


- John Farrow
Supporter

Man of the Match - (Joint) Wayne Mason, Matt Dukoff-Gordon, Guy Holvey-Clark

Windsor Vets Tournament 2009/10

Being a Rugby Vet the start of the season is usually about how long will the lungs last, did I pack enough strapping, why are we playing in September and is the bar near the St John’s ambulance? This season was no different!

Our first game against Grove RFC saw us dominate the scrum, turning over a few against the head and letting our backs loose. It was great to have Leek Bradley playing, although carrying a few extra pounds, unfortunately not the monetary variety. We managed to put quick scores on the board to put the game out of reach before half-time.

Immediately we had to turn around and play the post-tournament favourites which took a toll on the boys. The hard grounds had seen a few niggly injuries and hot conditions having a few of us blowing out of our arses. Unfortunately we lost Paul Mills early to a nasty broken finger and that set the tone; we lost to Maidenhead, enough said!

This put us into the plate semi-final against Basingstoke. Having been able to rest and consume a few burgers, from the start the boys ripped into the opposition. Again strong set-piece gave good ball to the backs who, not allowed to kick outside the 22’, kept the ball alive through the forwards to create space out wide for the speedsters (Pete Ruffell ran some 75yrds to score!). A further 2 more tries in the 2nd half put the game beyond the opposition and we cruised into the final.

The final saw us pitched against Battersea Ironsides, a team known for its big pack and, well, big pack! It didn’t take long for the soft hands (fingers, fingers, fingers) and intelligent running lines to confuse their defence and for space to appear. The pick of the tries came from Brian Coppinger who, after quick lineout ball, stepped his way through their centres to score under the posts.

All in all a good tournament, a bit rusty but loads of commitment and effort from all those involved! I believe we are in a good place for the league ahead and are ready to upset the likes of Richmond and Esher this season!
Plate Final result

Weybridge Vandals Owls………….. 21
Battersea Ironsides Vets……………. 0

Tournament stats: Tries scored – 12, Tries conceded – 5

- Neil Allen
Spud

This Sunday saw the return to action for the current vandals U16’s.  On a vibrant sunny morning at Brownacres we welcomed our visitors from Teddington, old friends who we had hand picked for an early season encounter to give us a thorough work out, which they certainly delivered.

We also took delivery of our new playing strip ahead of the weekend, the squad seeing it for the first time 1 hour before kick-off. This was very generously sponsored by Simon Smode of DCL Print,  and our  continued thanks go to him. The kit included shorts and a warm up/match squad t-shirt, ensuring that we will at least look the part before, during and after matches this campaign.

We have a strong belief in our group that if you look like a team, act like a team,  then you will play like a team.  This was more than evident on Sunday.  Against a similar size squad in terms of numbers (c24),  we seemed to lose out slightly in terms physical of size, and  therefore knew immediately  we would have a real test against our virgin lineout.  This was also to be our  first chance to attempt lifting in the lineout against opposition – and with the minimum of preparation.   But with coaches fresh off a recent lineout refresher coaching course held at Vandals,  confidence was high from our side, and the lads were literally bouncing with enthusiasm, and just looking forward to getting on the pitch and giving it a go.  It’s been a long summer !

After the prematch excitement surrounding the new kit, and the capturing of our annual squad photo (see above/below with our Sponsor Simon sat proudly front and centre), tThe team lined up to get our season going,  and put down a marker of our intent to entertain and perform at the highest level.  Against a physically strong and equally buoyant Teddington side, the early exchanges were even but a little scrappy.  Our visitors were a little sharper, and more aggressive at the breakdown. We  were competing though, and within the first 5mins an opportunity presented itself in the midfield battleground. Our capt Callum struck out a decisive boot to play the ball forward deep into oppo 22, chasing down his own  kick, aided and abetted by winger Matt, their full-back would look-up to see both Prop and Wing arriving at the same time as trying to field a horrible bouncing ball.  We capitalised and Matt touched down for our first score.  This was converted by fly half James, unfortunately for him, and a real downer on the day, this was his last telling contribution,  and he had to leave the field soon after with a worrying injury.  We all wish him a speedy recovery.

The injury though presented us with an opportunity hand the 1^st of two Vandals debuts, to the 1^st of two Adam’s ! Coming on at Fly half, he did so with consummate ease and immediately looked comfortable.  Being an early season game, we had split the 70min match time into 4 quarters, and the first of these soon came to an end with no further score.

Both sides made use of their squads, with many personnel changes for the 2^nd period, and throughout from there on in. It was this 2^nd period that proved to be decisive for V’s. We seemed to settle quicker after the changes, and were applying continued forward pressure. Our next score coming early on with Scrum-half Guy sneaking one over off the back of a 5m scrum.  Adam taking over the kicking duties, and duly converting.  It certainly wasn’t all one way traffic,  and we were being forced to battle for every yard, and be strong and aware in defence. Matt fielded a kick into our half, running back towards half way, assessed the options and put a kick into space for our 2^nd debutant/Adam  to kick through and chase down himself in goal for a score in his match in vandals colours.  The grounding was questioned,  but with no TMO, the decision was probably swayed by the “impartial” noise from the impressive touchline support ;-)

We had two further scores in the quarter,  from a precision kick to touch, we managed to secure ball from a lineout – which were now beginning to resemble the real thing, despite a strong cross wind making a straight throw almost impossible – quick ball was fed from 9-10, and centre Joe running a cutting line took a pop and crashed over under the posts. Joe got his 2^nd soon after, another probing kick into oppo 22 from fly half was fielded the Teddington back 3,  the attempted clearing kick was charged down by Matt, the ball falling to Joe who this time only had to fall over the line to score !

The third quarter was hard fought,  with Teddington showing commendable spirit and endeavour, and a determination to get on the scoresheet.  We had demanded focus from our team, and that the priority for the 2^nd half would be to keep our line unbroken, and the doughnut intact !  Defence was strong and organised on both sides,  and the only score coming from our captain.  We mounted a multi phase attack that had pulled Teddington both ways,  sucking defenders in to the rucks, Callum collected the ball and put an thunderous run in from just outside the 22.

The final quarter would test our pre-season preparation, and be a good indication of where fitness levels were.  The squad looked strong, and remained hungry.  It was clear there were no rallying calls required from me or the coaches.  Teddington still wanted something out of the game, and there was a slight edge to every contest.  It was however a game played in the true spirit of rugby, and never really looked like giving the ref anything to worry about.  Frazer and ROB combined to charge down another attempted clearance, the half backs were soon in place to seize the opportunity,  ball was spread wide quickly and Callum was again unstoppable from 15yards.  Adam again did the duties to continue the scoring.   It was now me against Harvey to see who would be handing over the cash for a celebratory hat-trick jug.

The penultimate score was probably our best and most satisfying.  Our pack which had worked tirelessly all game took one against the head, Guy quickly shifted the ball to Adam in the pocket (?) where I guess after 6/6 he felt anything was possible.....the resulting drop kick (attempt) did not quite find it’s intended home between the uprights !  Teddington saw this as their opportunity to get some deserved reward for their efforts, and attempted to run the ball out wide.  Some superb cover tackling, and counter rucking saw us recover the ball, No.8 Ali picking and going on one of his familiar charges into the 5m channel, as he was slowed he turned and offloaded to hooker RoB in support who crashed forward deeper into the 22, again offloading as he was slowed Joe was on hand to continue the relentless forward motion, and crash over with support and tacklers alike joining him . My fiscal worries allayed, Harv was now in the chair for the Jug for the parents !   Perhaps with the recent drop goal fresh in his mind,  the conversion attempt was the 1^st to sail narrowly wide also.

The game was rounded off with a score for our towering 2^nd row Ryan.  Another charge down, this time by JamesS on the wing,  ball was secured and set, then sent wide with Ryan tacking responsibility for the points.  Adam then added the extra’s from out wide to cap an assured debut.

A lot of positives to take from the day, the team remained balanced and focused throughout the multiple personnel changes – with the two new faces looking very much at home.  Everyone got on and did the job asked.  The players responded to critique, and  improved on technique as the game progressed. We saw some great rugby played, mixing it up between forward and back play,  decision making was good, and defensively we were robust.  James’ injury aside, it was the perfect start to the season.

Congratulations from the coaching team to the squad !

Best regards

Craig  -Manager Vandals U16s

Summer training for the Under 11’s will start Wednesday 22/07/09 at 1830 until 1945.
Emphasis is on fun, fitness, stamina and speed.
Each Wednesday until the start of the season.
Bring a friend along or even parents/brothers/sisters welcome!