U9 Assassins and Badgers share the spoils on tour

The U9s took two teams on tour to Devon this year the Assassins & the Badgers and both put in amazing performances during the group games to both more than earn their place in the Challenge Cup final after playing some great rugby all weekend.
They immersed themselves in the full spirit of the tour not only on the pitch but off it as well, as friendships forged stronger and they partied the night away dressed in grass skirts, Hawaiian shirts and wacky sun glasses - I am sooo glad that fake tan washed off.

Playing the new RFU transitional rules for the first time, we were worried that our players would be penalised for ripping & rucking, however they adapted quickly and made full advantage of the huge pitch. Their brief was simple; work as a team and have fun, which they all did.

U9 tourist contributions:-

AMr - Dependable and deadly in both attack and defense, making several try saving tackles as well as getting on the score sheet himself.

HM - A player that has always had great potential finally decided to show it all on tour this year as he upped his game with a new found confidence, making tackle after tackle and scored some great tries. A worthy winner of the hotly contested Top player award for the U9s.

CT - A new player at the beginning of the season and with only one festival under his belt, CT had a lot of ground to make up on his team mates, but the excitement of being on tour with his new friends was enough to give him the confidence he needed as he transformed into a fully fledged member of the U9s with some great tackles and that roar from our supporters is still ringing in my ears when he sprinted down the wing to score his first ever try - amazing tour performance.

FM - Although he struggled to keep up with the pace of the quicker players, whenever the play broke down he was on hand to provide support and keep the play alive. I cannot wait to watch that tackle back on video from the final game, I know your Dad will be proud.

IN - A great tour performance, worked tirelessly for his team in all areas of the pitch and scored some fantastic tries backed up with really strong tackling.

SI - Sam-the-man earned his rugby name playing tag as he was a often a one man tagging machine, now in his first season of contact when he's fired up he is living up to his name and is developing into a tackling machine. SI learned an important lesson on tour, he was upset that he did not score a try as he placed the ball over the line during the last play, as under the new transitional rules when the ref shouts tackle you must pass. However the ref did award the try and as we always tell our players the refs decision is final - try scored. This was extra special as it meant that 7 out of 8 Assassin players had scored tries on tour - a solid all round team performance.

WC - This boy was born to play rugby, his behavior and attitude was fantastic all weekend and as for his tour performance - he was a real pleasure to watch and have in our team.

GP - Another fantastic captains performance as he led from the front to inspire his team mates. He tackled anyone that came in front of him big or small and made some great tireless runs and was rewarded for his constant support with the simplest of tries to add to his tally.

WO - Silent but deadly, some great selfless running to punch holes in the defense for his team mates to take advantage and keep racking up the tries. A great performance on tour for his team.

GI - Mr G. with his amazing turn of pace, these new rules and such a big pitch the conditions were perfect for him. He was caught out of position on a few occasions but was quick enough to get back and provide cover when needed. He did somehow develop the strangest tackle technique - lets leave that one on tour.

AMv - Made one or two important tackles and provided constant support with some great passing. Always had a cheeky smile on his face throughout the tour and kept his team mates entertained off the pitch with a game of guess the twin.

TG - The U9s would not be the same without our Girl power and it was great to have her on tour this year.

JW - Another new player at the beginning of the season, who put in a good team performance. Even though he had really bad travel sickness as we arrived on the coach Sunday morning he still insisted he was okay to play and did not want to let his team mates down.

JH - Gritty determined performances all tour with some amazingly timed tackles from behind to keep his team in the game and also scored some great tries.

TH - Great tour name 'Tominator' one of the smallest players in the U9s but never afraid to make some big tackles. A faultless tour performance.

MC - Countless tries including 8 in a single game earned him a nice cash bonus from his very proud Dad. His 360 spin/pirouette that he performed twice in the same move left the defenders on the floor turned inside out. Thoughtful enough to pass to a team mate rather than score himself "because Tom had not scored yet" - selfless. Tackled like a stinger missile locked onto its target and added a real quality to our team.

We tell our players that winning is a bonus and this weekend on tour they earned their bonus. We are so proud of all of them, for both teams to share that moment on the podium together when the Cup was presented to both captains was special.

Thanks to the U9s and all the Sidcup mini's tourists (players, parents & family) for making 2013 yet another great tour.

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SIDCUP!!!