Raiders Under 7's put in a decent performance at home to West Leeds Eagles in a 7 a side game due to them only having this many players. Once again we had to have virtually 2 different teams on through the game due to numbers.

We have been working almost exclusively on defense over the last 4 weeks or so, trying to improve the lads confidence in using shoulders rather than shirt grabbing - this seems to be paying off lately. The lads make a very high percentage of tackles that they attempt, but we still have the issues of them not having any real shape and not moving up as a line (although some of them are starting to show signs of starting) - but we will continue to work on this.

The other thing we have worked on in training is fending, up to the last few weeks we have taught the lads to carry the ball in 2 hands for obvious reasons, but the downside is that if they do make a break then a defender running at the side of them finds them fairly easy to tackle - so putting a little fend on has been covered in training the last couple of sessions. The lads need a bit more coaching as they tended to hand off a little too high but they will get the hang of it.

All in all, a pleasing performance. The younger/less experienced/smaller members of our squad go to Kippax tomorrow evening for a midweek friendly as we really are struggling to get everybody enough game time.

If any Under 7's out there fancy a friendly (either midweek for the next few weeks, or week ends when the summer break comes round) then please let me know. Thanks.

When does the Barla cup start lads.

September

Normally early October.

Thanks lads.

Spartans RLFC play Upton ARLFC on Sunday morning KO 10:30

The last game between the two was a pretty physical affair with flair and a bit of biff mixed in. Spartans have a few back but still nowhere near full strength so it could be a really close match.

As always there will be plenty of Bacon & Sausage sandwiches to go with the hot tea & coffee.

it was up to lane to appoint the ref as they where at home as you rightly pointed out moor do. if I want to bemoan on here I will its no different to threads on here where trinity lost because of the ref. and no its not sour grapes cos my sons team lost like you point out there 8&9 year old playing for the lane well its the same for moor too and I believe its a time when they should be learning proper rules not that if you take a kids head off you can get away with it

Oulton Raiders Under 7's continued improving in a midweek friendly game against Kippax Under 7's, as this game was against their year 1 side we took the opportunity to let a few of the younger/less experienced lads play the game and our bigger more experienced older lads took their turn to sit out.

Game was played in great spirits with both sets of young players loving their chance to play against very evenly matched opposition, and the younger Oulton lads taking their chance and playing really well where as in previous games a few of them have been outshone by the bigger more dominant lads at times.

On Sunday we are playing a very inexperienced Dudley Hill side, so again will send a team made up of the smaller and younger lads giving them another chance to show what they can do - hopefully benefiting both sets of players making sure they both get the most out of it.

Midweek friendly games seem the only way we can possibly get close to keeping everybody in the squad happy and ensuring they get enough game time so they continue to improve.

Calm down fella ... September is it your first one ?

I find it sad the number of head shots that go in and whilst the poor lad goes off injured the coach's don't chastise their players.
The 70s/80s have gone. Its wrong to train kids to rub faces in mud etc.

Crigg 13s at home to sidall .
Last week lock lane had them up on the ropes in the first half .
Mistakes costing try after try after try. Poor in every aspect apart from once again those flashes of genius.

This is the warm up for the final and I'm sure as it stands by now most will be wanting easts to win it.
But although you can take a lot from defeat now is not the time . today is back on the horse.

Its hard however when your farther is taking a number of calls from clubs in one week for those lads to keep feet on the ground.

Maybe the RFL should think of things like this as its still ending up in a 12-13 year old mind.

I'm sure crigg are not the only ones
But everyone is waiting now for them to lose.
I'm sure it would make their season.