Ardmore Marist U13 Restricted Match Report

Date: 30th May, Venue: Bruce Pulman Park, Team: Pukekohe U13 Restricted

POD: Josh Earl-Peacock

Merit: Jamie Sherning

This week was our first competition game for the season and conditions for playing rugby again perfect (the calm before the storm with torrential rain predicted). Please note we need to ensure we all arrive on time, 10.00am means 10.00am as there are competition points on the line each week.

Right from the kick off it was apparent Puke had come to play, also equally apparent was the size of their outside backs. The Puke coach was adamant all his lads had made the weight, however we would beg to differ. We adopted the bigger they are the harder they fall approach. Unfortunately due to work commitments Bill (potential manager of the year) was absent and any dispensation issues were not raised. These may become critical as the competition progresses.

Ardmore were camped in Pukes half for the first 20 minutes through good old fashioned driving forward play. Josh, Tim and Alexander taking up the pill with the other forwards right behind. Puke then tried to break out but there big men seemed disorganized and were effectively cut down with good tackles made by our backs. Jamie on the wing put in a top front on tackle on his opposing winger which had the potential to open up.

At last we are getting our backs up flat and close (last mans feet in broken play) on defense and shutting down the opposition before they get a head of speed up. Top work from Baxter, Curtis and Devlin in this regard. At the end of the first half both teams defense had been tight but Ardmore were starting to dominant the possession and the score remained lock up at nil all.

Half time - nil all

Only a couple of changes (and no Oranges – Blair), Cam to prop for a hard charging Antman, Chester for Sean and Floris at fullback for Connor.

It was clear that a classic Puke / Ardmore arm wrestle was brewing and the team that wanted the win the most would get it. Ardmore “guts" was requested by the coach. A more up the guts game plan was to be adopted, stuff the opposition hard and holes should appear latter in the second half.

5 minutes in a Ardmore penalty on the attacking 22. Toyota called, Tim made good yards a number of pick and goes followed. Ardmore now 2m out, Cam took it up again, Bulldozer then held up over the line. Ardmore scrum, Baxter cuts blind held up just short. Daniel and Blair blow over and present the ball for Josh who drives over for a try in the corner. 5 - nil.

5 minutes latter Puke hit back. Ardmore scrum on defensive 22, ball bounces back out the channel, picked up by Puke winger who must have been within a whisker of the chalk line goes over in the corner. Locked again at 5 - all.

Ardmore kick off (nice and high) forwards again rumble ball up. Penalty awarded on 22. Jaguar called, dummy runners open holes and Josh swats off Puke defenders like Aussies swat off flys and crashes over for a great try in the corner in front of the Roller Mills coach and selectors. 10-5

Ardmore starting to dominate possession, Luke barking instructions at his forwards who in turn provide good ball for the backs. Play breaks down, Puke turnover ball traveling along there back line (aiming for large wingers), Devlin pulls off yet another stunning intercept and sprints 50m to dot down under the sticks. Blair converts 17-5.

With only 5 minutes remaining on the clock Puke come back hard. It was only sheer guts and determination by our guys that prevented Puke crossing the line. The top 2 inch’s is now working well. Ref then signals one minute to go Baxter (watching to much super 14) kicks the ball dead over our dead ball line.

Full time 17-5

A very pleasing result, good to see the blowing of rucks & the pick and go by the forwards. The backs starting to make the advantage line regularly on attack and coming up in a line in defense to shut the opposition down.

The Roller Mills coach was impressed with the “teams” performance and has his eye on a number of our players.

25th July 2009 v Puni

Played Puni at the Puni fields. Closest of games with a half time score of 10 all. Ardmore displayed stamina and determination to claw back a win in the final moments of the game.

Final score Ardmore Marist 24 Puni 17

Player of Day: Kalem Baker
Merit Award: Caleb Reed

A very good game well played by all. Congratulations!

Our try scorers this week were Jacob Olsen scoring the first for this match, Jacob Harford scoring the 2nd try of the match (still in the first 5 minutes of the game). Jacob Eyre scoring the 3rd try followed shortly after by Curtis Bell. Good tackling by Tony, Curtis, and Jacob E.

Sio Leuo scored the next 2 tries followed by Devon scoring the 7th try of the match. Sio scoring the 8th followed by Jacob Eyre 9th. Great tackles were done by Frano, Leroy and Jacob V. Devon scoring the last try of the 1st half bringing the half time score to Ardmore Marist 50 - Manurewa 0

The second half started with Ardmore kicking off and Manurewa scoring the first two tries. Bringing the score to A.M 50 – Manurewa 10

Max scored the 13th try followed by Manurewa scoring their 3rd for the day. Devon claiming the 15th and Manurewa playing had to grab the 16th & 17th. Curtis had a great run down the sideline scoring the 18th with Manurewa scoring the 19th. Jacob Olsen scoring the 20th bring the score to A.M 70 – Manurewa 30

Manurewa scored the final try of the match bring the score to AM 70 – Manurewa 35

Player of the day this week was Jacob Olsen

Merit award went to Curtis Bell

A great team effort by Ardmore Marist especially as we had only one sub, well done to you all . Keep training hard as the season is going to get tougher!

Thanks to all players, coaches, support staff, parents and families and a special thanks to our coach and Referee Bruce Eyre.

22nd August 2009 - Ardmore Marist Under 10 Restricted Red v Pukekohe Gold

Halftime score: 15 - 30

Fulltime score: 35 - 75 (Loss)

Player of the Day: Jaiden Nash
Tackler of the Day: Ethan Wensor
Most Improved: Devon Collins

Tries: Fraser Middelbeek-Harrison (3), Sam Rex (4)

Our last game of the season was better than the score. Yes, Puke Gold were a bit classier - but our boys showed patches where they really played well as a team. They had the parents yelling their heads off. Jaiden made a number of exciting back-line breaks, where he ran like the wind and looked for his support. Getting stuck-in was Ethan's role, and he made a big contribution. Devon showed how he can pick up the ball and get his head down and run. There has been a huge amount of learning and improvement by our players new to rugby and also by those who have played previously. A big thank you to parents and everyone involved for such an enjoyable season. We have appreciated Morgan's family sponsoring bread and Frazer's family sponsoring sausages for the after-match food. Special thanks also go to Lee (coaching assistance) and Woody (coaching assistance & ref-ing). Finally, thanks to the RED team for being such a cool bunch of junior rugby players!

13th June 2009 vs Papakura

Another rip roaring game this week against Papakura, by our Open 9yr olds. Thanks Pap, our boys had a ripper of a game!!

As the season progresses, it just gets better. Our special little heroes are gaining a reputation amongst the fraternity of the well oiled rugby scholars, as the team to keep an eye on. Then there are our Dads quietly analysing the game plan, while mothers cheering their sons on, networking, and multi-tasking on the sideline. Welcome to grassroots rugby.

There were a few anxious moments in the first three minutes of the game, with Papakura, steaming towards the try line twice. However, our boys maneuvered their defensive skills quickly, and applied pressure right from the onset. WHY? Because they did what all rugby players should do: Played good basic rugby. A big thank you to Mike Casey, for sharing his expertise with the boys last Thursday night at training.

There were numerous times the Papakura boys thought they could outrun Ardmore, however, our forwards continued to apply pressure where it counted, by driving the ball forward, pushing through the Papakura boys, and exhausting their upper body in the scrums. Ardmore's breakdowns, and the rucks demonstrated the level of skill our boys possess. Because of this, our Ardmore backs were able to secure the ball for over 80% of match time. They fast tracked the game well, with speed, and pace.

There was some standout play both in the forward pack, and in the backline, Mark and Matthew will definitely acknowledge this at Tuesday's training session.

This week's match report acknowledges the whole team through their commitment and dedication against Papakura.

YOU ROCK ARDMORE OPEN 9YR OLDS!!!!

Tries: Joshua – 3, Toby – 2, Sonny – 2, Zion – 1, Darrel – 3, Charlie – 1.

22nd August 2009 vs Te Kauwhata

Full Time Score: Ardmore Marist Red 35 Te Kauwhata 5

Player of the Day: Cody Sinclair
Merit Award: Clark Murray

Try Scorers: Sean McKinstry, Sam McKee (2), William Sager (2), Bradley McAuley, Ben Pallister.

A fantastic game to end the season on a high with another win, making 11 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses for the season. The boys worked fabulously as a team this week, utilizing all the skills they have learnt over the season, passing the ball out wide for try opportunities, coming over the top to secure the ball and unbreakable defence wearing Te Kauwhata down time and time again. Well done boys, a great season, one to be proud of.

6th June v Karaka Red

Karaka Red won 110 to 60

Player of the day – Aiden Muraahi
Merit – Raphael Soo Choon

I must say last weekend's game has to be the best so far, the shear amount of tries reflects that.

Karaka Red was a great team to play with some very fast and nippy players, a couple of which scored full field tries, well done guys!!!

But we had Cooper who dived over the line for a couple of our awesome tries. James was brilliant in straightening up the play and keeping the team going forward.

Our defence was much improved from previous games with the boys doing well to get back on side. Noah and Xavier were making tackles from everywhere.

Well done to our player of the day and merit boys, Aiden scored his first try for the season and Raphael was right in there running the ball up.

To the rest of the boys also, Blake, Brody, Lucas and Mitchell well done.

22nd August 2009 v Papakura Wasps

Final score: Draw 30-30

Well what a last encounter under lights at Massey Park when we took on the rivals of Papakura RFC SB2s it was a real highlight for our boys to accept an invitation from Leah and the people of Papakura to play our final game for the season at night.

The boys were all on fire and put on a real display of fine rugby for the parents and supporters. The boys got our own dressing room and we also were able to run out of the tunnel just like the "All Blacks" do. Last time we played Papakura it was a draw of 50-50 and the final score at Massay Park on Friday night was also a draw. 30-30. It couldn't have been closer and there was some real talent in both teams on display. The "Steelers" will have some fine players in 2025? That's for sure.

Special thanks to the parents and supporters and a very special thanks to Leah and all the beautiful people of the Papakura RFC, and cheers also for the "feed" that they put on afterwards, it was just like a seniors aftermatch. COOL.

Tries: Payton(2), Ezra(4)

Player of the Day: Ezra
Merit Awards: Connor, Payton, Joseph.

1st August 2009. Ardmore Marist Black vs Karaka Red

It was great to be back playing after a few months of interuptions with holidays and a nasty touch of the flu going round causing teams to default (including us).

Still with a couple of boys short the team played really good and showed alot of confidence although going down to Karaka 80-50. Once they got settled into the game they were great to watch and scoring some of our best tries, especially with two of our teams top tryscorers away this weekend. Outstanding games from Nathan Hendrix, Shay Curtis, Gabriel Pique and Jack Bennett.

AWESOME GAME TEAM!!!

Player of the Day: Caleb Taraare

4th July 2009. Ardmore Marist SB1 Red v Manurewa

Player of the Day: Corban Glendinning
Merit Award: Breyton Taare

What a fantastic game against a strong Manurewa side! The game was well controlled by Jerry, the Manurewa coach, and the boys all had a great time with lots of tries scored all over the park.

The game started with a blinding run down the field from Joejoe who showed that his step and deceptive pace are still stong after a week off. Drake was always in support as usual and he showed some great determination and strength to score a number of tries heading in the only direction he knows - straight down the paddock.

We missed Todd today as he is away in Holland, but the team stepped up in his absence with Corban showing great enthusiasm and pace to take the ball up from halfway and the with a quick off-load get the speedster Levi (our Captain for the day) off to score one of his tries.

Breyton also picked up the pace with some great runs and also some very determined defence, making it hard for Manurewa to break our line. Sam showed us his quick thinking and great passing to quickly offload the ball to Joejoe who again continued up the field splitting the Manurewa team left, right and centre.

A couple of strong runs from Orlando coupled with his good support play also kept the Ardmore team progressing up the field toward the try line.

8th August 2009. Ardmore Marist SB1 White v Ardmore Marist Red

Fulltime score: 95-85

A tremendous game played in excellent spirit with great sideline support and the result being decided on the final play of the game. Hatepe was player of the day. Jackson received best try after a great swerving run mid way through the first half. Jayden received a merit award for some snappy ripping and forceful tap off runs.