We arrived at Brockenhurst College, set up camp and Steve and the Coaches set about organising and preparing the squad for the 2 days ahead.

On day 1 we had four matches as follows:

Match 1:
We played Witney RFC. We missed a few tackles in the middle of the pitch and were caught a bit cold in the line out as the ref allowed Witney to
contest, thinking for the 1st half we were U10s! Although there was some competitive
play we were 0-3 down at half time. We settled ourselves and put some good moves together in the 2nd half but Witney kept us out. We, in turn, preventing them from scoring again.

Final Score 0-3

Match 2:
We played Old Colfeians RFC. Much of the 1st half was played amongst the forwards. We went in 1-0 up at half time. In the 2nd half we opened up and scored 3 tries from some good attacking play based on very well timed passing.

Final Score 4-0.

Lunchtime:
We all gathered together and there was a chance for the coaches to discuss the games and speak to the squad. The chilled Budweisers were very popular amongst the Supporter's Club. Some of the players expressed an interest in them too but, of course, stuck to their water.

Match 3:
We played Beaconsfield RFC. We scored an early try. Despite looking like scoring a number of times Beaconsfield defended well and we went into half time 1-0 up. We had to play uphill in the 2nd half but that didn't stop us scoring 2 well worked tries. Our general fitness showed. Just before the final whistle Beaconsfield scored to make it 3-1.

Match 4:
We played Dinas Powys Youth RFC. For the eagle eyed ones of you out there, yes this is THE International factor (!). We put some great play together and forwards and backs linked well. We also had to defend and made 1 or 2 particularly strong tackles. 3-0 at half time. We continued in this vein and a great performance saw us go 5-0 up. Dinas stuck at it and scored just before the final whistle to make it 5-1. Swing low, sweet chariot!

We finished the day with a super BBQ and reflected on what had been a terrific day. The boys gave a resounding '3 cheers' to Steve and theCoaches.

On day 2 we had 2 matches. This was the 'business end' of the festival. Steve and the Coaches had given careful consideration to how we were going to approach the final day.

Match 5:
We played Old Albanians RFC. This was a play off game. It was an intense 1st half and Old Albanians went 1 up. However, you sensed we were right in there and gaining the edge. We scored a great try early in the 2nd half and then a blinder to go 2-1 up. This was quite a fierce encounter, our driving play was superb. At the very end Old Albanians got a penalty at close range and went over to make it 2-2. This meant we were to play Old Albanians again in match 6, THE FINAL.

Match 6 - The Final:
A good crowd assembled. Despite that, you could hear Malcolm's (normally quiet) voice booming from time to time. Old Albanians were on the front foot and were 1-0 up at half time. The start of the 2nd half was hard fought but Old Albanians, in the end, were too strong for us this time and won 5-0. The whole squad had been involved in the festival. What an achievement, boys, and what a way to round off the season - a MASSIVE well done to all of you!

As always we were keen for more and arranged a friendly, if there is such a thing, against Wales. It was great fun and this time they beat us 5-3. Bread of Heaven!

Steve and the Coaches debriefed the squad and the boys proudly collected their trophies. The boys had had a terrific time and had gained much invaluable experience. The team bonding and camaraderie amongst them was plain to see.

Man of the match: Steve had consulted the parents and congratulated the whole squad. 3 players in particular had shone over the 2 days; Reece, Cameron and Max. Very well done you three.

A big thank you to Steve, Malcolm, Dan, Dave and David and to the Management and the supporters, for everything.

Fantastic conditions greeted us at Meyrick Park this morning for our last regular match of the season. How lucky we are to have such a brilliant setting for the boys to play their Rugby in.

Steve got the boys straight into a tackling drill and then David Knox (Personal Trainer and Sports Massage Therapist trading as D K Fitness)put them through their paces. Steve split the squad into 2 teams. A few of our boys played for Bridport.

Match 1:
Oaks scored 2 early tries, the second as a result of a turnover ball. Bridport then won a scrum and Oaks had to defend. Oaks won a line out and, from a mazey run, scored a third. Bridport hit back but, despite a strong
run up the middle of the pitch,   couldn't score. 3-0 at half time. Bridport
upped the ante a bit, forcing us to knock on and then bundling us into touch. We kept our focus and with a good combination of forward and back play, and a growing composure, were rewarded with 4 further tries. Bridport kept their chins up and produced a super break of their own to score at the death. Final score 7-1.

Match 2:
We defended an early attack by Bridport but couldn't keep them out and they went 1 up. Bridport attacked again. This time our strength in tackle turned the ball over and, after some deft passing, we equalised. Some good open play followed with the teams battling to gain an edge. Bridport turned the screw and showed perhaps a greater degree of organisation to score 2 more tries. 1-3 at half time. Oaks came back in what was a very entertaining and hard fought game, scoring in the corner. Bridport came again with a strong team effort to score again, twice. Oaks were determined and, with the last play of the game and some pleasing interplay, made it over the line. Final score 3-5.

The Oaks squad then played a final game, bibs v shirts. The shirts put up a very good fight against the well drilled bibs, scoring a much deserved try but ultimately going down 6-1. Both teams put together some very good play showing again the strength in depth we have at our club.

Man of the match: Steve congratulated the whole squad. Charlie and Tom Tom were awarded Man of Match. Charlie is unassuming but has been quietly progressing during the season. Today he put in a performance full of dexterity and clever running with a subtle turn of pace. Tom Tom had made a number of strong tackles and had shown real determination in supporting his team mates up front and in the backs. Very well done you two.

It has been a tremendous season. Many congratulations to all the boys for what they have achieved and a big thank you to Steve, Malcolm, Dan, Dave and David and to the Management and the supporters. We have training next week and good luck to those of you involved in the New Forest Festival.

The winter sunshine burnt off the frost and we had a pretty much perfect day
for Rugby. Soon after arrival at New Milton the Oaks squad was split into
groups of 4 with Richard, David, Dave and Malcolm for warm up drills with
Steve overseeing and spending time with each group. Then 2 teams were
formed. It was a wonderful scene of grass roots Rugby and an opportunity for
us to play on what seemed like quite large pitches.

There followed 3 games as follows:

(1) The Oaks were playing into the sun. We produced some early pressure with
some straight running and good passing. New Milton defended well but we got
our reward scoring two tries. We continued on the front foot but didn't
always secure our own ball and New Milton capitalised by scoring a break
away try to make it 1-2 at half time.

The 2nd half saw early pressure from New Milton which created what could
almost be described as an interception try for them, making it 2-2. Oaks
responded well and made good ground up the pitch but New Milton's defence
held firm. New Milton had the final attack of the game but couldn't breach
our defence. Final score 2-2.

(2) The Oaks were again playing into the sun. New Milton made a strong start
but we won a turn over ball and ran the ball well. We were caught just short
of the try line and New Milton secured the scrum. From the scrum we
pressured them and forced an error, gathered the ball and scored a try in
the corner. New Milton then produced some good handling and strong running
to score and make it 1-1. There was then a sustained period of attack from
the Oaks including some excellent driving and off loading, but the New
Milton defence held out until half time.

The 2nd half saw some big tackles by the Oaks. One of these was a bone
shaker which made New Milton spill the ball... which we picked up and...
which resulted in a try making it 1-2. The Oaks came again but this time
were frustrated by some last ditch defending in the corner. Some quite tense
moments followed but we shipped the ball through the hands and scored a well
worked try to make it 1-3. There was then a galloping forward's break that
Nick Easter would have been proud of to make it 1-4. Finally there was some
super running from our backs across the New Milton try line. Final Score
1-5.

A brief intermission and the Coaches gave the squad debrief including where
we had done well and where we could do better. New Milton asked if we could
play another game and of course the answer was a resounding "yes".

(3) Subs were used to ensure that everyone still there played again. There
was the risk that this game could have been rather 'after the Lord Mayor's
show' but, in fact, it was a hugely entertaining game with both teams
producing some classic Baa Baa type Rugby moments. David Knox joined in from
HIS line by performing for us (and the residents of New Milton and most of
Highcliffe) his version of the famous "When Harry met Sally" scene by
shouting "Yes, yes, YES" when we scored - partly because he was enjoying it
so much but also, one suspects, to ensure the ref didn't miss a trick.
Perhaps most pleasing for the Oaks was some powerful driving play and
linking from forwards to backs to create running opportunities. For the
record, the final score was 0-5.

The fans cheered, the players all shook hands and a final debrief took
place. A big thank you to the Coaches, the Management Team and the
Travelling Supporter's Club. We look forward to training at the Bear Pit
next weekend.

Last Sunday saw the Oaks winning the U9 'B' Festival of Mini Rugby at New Milton RFC. The festival was a good development opportunity for
the Oaks squad. The win was well deserved and one to be proud of. The whole Oaks squad contributed to it individually, whether through the
training sessions or through actually playing on the day. Would we see further evidence of this development today?

Oaks played a series of five matches against Bournemouth and New Milton on a cool but dry Sunday morning. The whole squad played, split into two mixed ability teams. The Coaches assembled the boys for pre match warm up and there was an obvious air of excitement and anticipation amongst the boys, the Coaches and the travelling supporter's club (aka the parents, grandparents and guardians of the boys).

The boys were resplendent, briefly, in their freshly washed kit and the supporter's club was primed to shout useful suggestions such as
“Drive, drive, support, DRIVE” as often as possible. Noone was as resplendent, however, as David Knox. A lean, mean fighting machine if
ever there was one and surely one of the finest touch judges of all Dorset?

Game 1 saw the first of our mixed teams take on New Milton. It started strongly with both teams playing energetically and seeing excellent
defending from both sides; at half time both teams had one try. The second half saw another try for each side and even a trip to the "sin bin" for a player from each team. Sin bins happen. Top internationals get sin binned. The important point was that our player did his time and came back on without his concentration, commitment or confidence having been dented. With the teams back to their full compliment, the Oaks turned up the pressure and in a fast and furious final few minutes managed one more try to take a 3:2 win. There was plenty of drive, drive, support and DRIVE going on there.

The sun came out briefly for game 2 which saw our second mixed team take on local rivals Bournemouth. Again, another strong start from the Oaks. Our boys seemed to find gaps through the opposition with some natty passing and fantastic long runs to the try line. Dave looked after the subs and kept them prepared for when they were needed on the pitch. Final score 6:0 win.

Game 3 was a similar match to the first although perhaps of note was that there was a sudden and substantial increase in the number of
touch judges. New Milton at one point had 7 (yes 7) touch judges all holding their hands up and offering advice to the ref. We didn't need
that. Oh no. We had David Knox. New Milton scored the first and held their ground for most of the first half. An excellent drive and some dogged Oaks determination saw an equaliser before half time. The Oaks then pushed hard in the second half and gained the lead, ultimately winning 4:2.

The fourth game saw further evidence of the skills and ideas learned in training coming to fruition culminating in a 6:1 win. There was
some good straight running and early passing of the ball and plenty of that all important teamwork shining through. Malcolm could be seen
prowling round the touch lines like the mild mannered bear of a man that he is taking mental notes and planning strategy on that white board he has in his head on training and match days.

For the final game, Bournemouth wanted a bit of competition for their A team and we provided it. Again, an enthusiastic first half with strong
defending left the score level one all at half time. Solid tackling was crucial and to this the Oaks added a mixture of brave and subtle play. Another try for each side early in the second half gave us a nail biting final few minutes.

The previously totally amiable Bournemouth and Oaks parents stopped talking to each other. David Knox became even more possessive of HIS line and the ref seemed to dispense almost entirely with (and not for the first time) his time keeping. Although quite tired after all their
efforts by this stage, the Oaks stayed cool and with a dollop of composure and some seriously impressive driving work produced the
winning try just ahead of the final whistle to give us a close and well fought 3:2 win. The boys proudly shook hands with the opposition, Steve punched the air and congratulated both teams and Richard... came over all emotional.

The hard work the coaches have put in over the last few weeks is certainly paying off with perhaps the position training in particular
beginning to show its value for the ongoing development of the squad.

A very big thank you to Steve, Richard, David, Dave and Malcolm for all their time and commitment in bringing the squad on so far in such a supportive and constructive environment. Thank you also to the management team who again provided top class organisation for an excellent day of good quality grass roots rugby. Thank you also to the supporter's club for doing just that and for shouting drive,drive, support and DRIVE so well and, largely, at the right times and for an enjoyable spot of apres rugby in the Bournemouth RFC Clubhouse.

See you back at the Oaks on Sunday.