16 Teams competed at Newlands on Sunday in the Cheltenham under 12 Tournament. The teams were divided into four groups and each team played each other in their respective group.
The competition was won by Chippenham who defeated Wallingford 14-0 in the final.
Cheltenham Barbarians Campaign by Sue Payne ( Tigers lower on page)
HUCCLECOTE 7 BARBARIANS 0
The first half showed the Barbarians under increased pressure,which resulted in a try & subsequent conversion. However the 2nd half was a revelation with the Hucclecote rarely out of their own half. There were good runs from Leo, Tom Kent, Theo, Alex B and although the home team were on top, they could not turn their domination into points. A positive start to the tournament!
OLD PATS 21 BARBARIANS 0
In the first minute 2 trys were conceded & converted & from then on Cheltenham were on the rack.The team seemed deflated & this led to a few niggling frustrations. However, due to some calm coaching at half time,the players put this aside & matched the opposition,despite conceding another early 2nd half try. Some notable commitment from a team members tried to keep the match alive, but Old Pats eventually ran out victors.
WALLINGFORD 21 BARBARIANS 0
Again Cheltenham were caught on the break with a 1st minute try from the visitors. There was increasing pressure & some gritty defending to try & keep the score down.The pressure in the 2nd half was continuous & The Cheltenham scrumming kept letting them down.There were a few runs but against quality opposition it was proving impossible to string ant decent passes together. Two trys conceded but heads held up & team spirit remained.
STOW 7 BARBARIANS 0
After 3 defeats & no trys scored,this was a difficult match to go into.A very even match & an unecessary try, given away against the run of play in the 1st half. Good running & tackling from Leo & Jack T & a really improved team spirit & great attitude.There were a couple of times when a try was agonisingly close,but it was not to be & despite a griity performance Stow emerged the victors.
It must be remembered that despite the boys obvious disappointment,over 50% of the team have never played a full match before let alone a tournament.I am sure the boys will have all gained great experience & will build on this for the future.
Cheltenham Tigers Campaign - by Hugh Wilkinson
Cheltenham Tigers 0 Clifton 5 :
Cheltenham Tigers played Clifton in their opening game and as usual were 'slow out of the blocks'. Clifton took hold of the game resulting in a try before half time. Cheltenham woke up in the second half and had several opportunities but alas could not get over the game line.
Cheltenham Tigers 25 Marlborough 0 :
Cheltenham played Marlborough in the second match and by now had got used to the pitch and conditions. Tries were scored by Dan Tucker and Jonty Wilkinson from a tapped penalty. Further tries were scored by Jonty Wilkinson, Will Byrd and finally Dewi Edwards.
Cheltenham Tigers 25 Stroud 0 :
Cheltenham played Stroud in their final round robin match and were now playing good and fast rugby. Tries were scored by Charlie Green, Hugo Smellie, Callum Dean (2) and Jonty Wilkinson. This was a convincing win by a team playing to their full potential.
Cheltenham Tigers 21 Old Pats 0 :
Cheltenham played Old Pats in their first play off game and defeated Old Pats with tries being scored by Dan Tucker, Andrew Boulton and Christian Johnston. The tries were converted by Callum Dean and Ben Pickles.
Cheltenham Tigers 14 Painswick 0 :
Cheltenham played Painswick in their final game and defeated them with tries being scored by Callum Dean and Alex Chalklin. Both tries were converted by Ben Pickles and Callum Dean.
This was a good wake up call for the Tigers ahead of the County Cup in 2009.
The team have plenty of potential and must play to their strengths, especially in the pack and by utilising their quick wings in the backs. Several players forget that they are playing in a team and have a go on their own getting isolated.
Other players suffered from white line fever which in a team game is not to be recommended. There is now plenty to work on and I am sure the team will benefit from this minor hiccup.
