Sunday saw us take part in the PRIMA TIGER Cup on a lovely autumn morning at Mellish RFC. The PRIMA TIGER Cup is the premier cup competition of the season in the East Midlands at U10, traditionally bringing together some very strong and highly competitive teams.

There were 3 groups of 4 teams with the top team from each going into a round robin playoff with the winner going through to the Cup and the runner up through to the Bowl competitions.

GAME 1 v Market Rasen WON 2-0

The morning got under way with a fairly comfortable win against Market Rasen with a single try in each half. The first serious action though was a superb try saving tackle by Seb who chased down their runner who seemed sure to score from inside their half. Drew then won a penalty counter-rucking close to their line and Sam ran in from the restart.

In the second half we defended well and pressed their line with Seb eventually scoring after sustained pressure. A good solid start.

Before our next game the players, officials, coaches and supporters from all clubs all came together in front of the clubhouse to observe a 2 minute silence for Remembrance Sunday. This was impeccably observed and quite moving.

Game 2 v Matlock WON 4-1

We started well again against Matlock and took the lead through a try from Jack who twice stretched for the line and managed to touch down at the second attempt. Matlock responded straight away running in from their half through 2 missed tackles.

We pressed up the pitch with a great break from Sam before we knocked in the tackle. But with Matlock trying to break out from a defensive scrum on their own line, Jack & Ollie managed to rip the ball out in the maul and the ball went through several hands to Seb who scored. 2-1 at HT.

The second half saw us a bit too often running across the pitch as we tried to find space, but after several phases Sam got the ball and ran in to score. Sam then found another opportunity but unfortunately lost the ball forward in trying to score a second.

The final play saw Matlock with a defensive scrum on their line - our line speed put them under pressure and forced the turnover which Thomas ran in to convert.

GAME 3 v Melton Mowbray DREW 1-1

Once again a great start as the ball went through several hands to Didier who ran in to score. MM then took the play up to our line where the remainder half was played! It started with a scrum to MM which we were able to defend but we were penalised. We then concede 4 more penalties of various offences all on our own line which we managed to defend bar the last one when Melton slipped through a missed tackle to score. HT 1-1.

The second half was scoreless but became more physical as play went on. We had several opportunities to score notably Seb & Sam who both came close but were just forced into touch in the corner as the try line beckoned. The game finished a 1-1 draw.

We ended the League Phase unbeaten and top of the group and so through to the round robin playoffs against Scunthorpe & Bridgnorth

GAME 4 v Scunthorpe LOST 0-2

Scunthorpe had some big players but the early exchanges were pretty equal with both sides trying to find space and a way through some strong and committed defence. This resulted in lots of errors with ball in hand and the play was scrappy, but it was Scunthorpe who scored first from broken play. Half Time 0-1.

Early in the second half Sam took a big knock trying to press for their line and had to go off injured. From the resulting play one of their big players ran through our tacklers to score in the corner 0-2. Our boys put everything they had into trying to pull one back with Seb going close again but forced into touch. Both George and Seb also made try saving tackles.

Try as we might we couldn't find a way through a really strong Scunthorpe defence and the game ended 0-2.

GAME 5 v Bridgnorth LOST 1-2

Bridgnorth were an equally big team but play started with us on the front foot as we won a scrum from holding them up in the maul. We won a quick penalty with Didier going close but being forced into touch. From the resulting restart they managed to force their way back up field to open the scoring 0-1. The rest of the half was very hard fought with a crunching tackle into touch on one of their players by Jack being a highlight. HT 0-1

The second half saw us pressing hard for an equaliser and we managed to get ourselves in a good attacking position close to their line. Jack twice came close but was held up once just short and once over their line. Finally Thomas was able to break through and score off the back of a scrum.

Unfortunately we lost concentration and from the restart they ran straight down the line to score in the corner and secure the win.

So, we did not progress through to the Cup or Bowl which was desperately disappointing for all of us.

The games were played on a narrow pitch we meant we weren’t able to get our runners into wider spaces where we do so well. As a result, the games were a bit scrappy and congested and it was only through the odd mistake here and there where we missed tackles or lost concentration that we conceded tries.

There were a few tears at the end and the boys were absolutely spent. Their commitment throughout was immense and could not be faulted and as Paul said at the end it was only those tiny margins that cost us.

But they should be extremely proud of their efforts and to finish in 3rd place in this qualifying Tournament in that company is a seriously good achievement.

Thank you as ever to all the boys for their efforts and our parents and supporters for your support and for keeping the tea & coffee coming and for all the cakes and biscuits!