You may well be surprised Al, there is a very wide gap between the confidence and ability not just within our group of 23 players but also throughout the teams in the league as well! No point taking a team full of our bigger/more confident ones to play against a side playing in their 3rd game - that would be fun for none and a waste of time for both sides.

I also don't think you can overestimate the amount of improvement they make from 1 week to the next when they get game time. Those teams who have had players playing last year at under 7's level are still well infront of those who didn't generally speaking. Should hopefully see it start to level out soon though.

Spartans play their last home League fixture this Sunday, KO 10:30 Vs East Leeds

The season has just flown by, I can't work out if it's just my perception or if the season is ridiculously short although I'm leaning toward the latter.

Anyhow, peeps are welcome down at Ossett Trinity to watch, as always there will be the welcome aroma of coffee, bacon and wintergreen wafting from the club house.

This weekend sees the challenge cup finals at fev rovers ground
One that I know of is
East Leeds v crigglestone AB 13s
Don't know what to expect as the top 2 fight it out.

About 2 years ago East Leeds beat Crigglestone All Blacks under 11s .
I don't recall the score but I bet spongebobs son will.
Today for the first time in competitive matches East Leeds Under 13s not only beat CAB 13s , ending a 2 year run . They thrashed them 56-16 I think it ended.

To sum it up . the best team won.
Congratulations to the parents coaches club etc but mainly the lads who in so much hard work.

If you are going to lose a two year run undefeated you may as well get a stuffing, it'll do em good in the long run.

Also hats off to my own lad felt his hand hurting after his first tackle and again a bit later, nothing said with adrenaline pumping . end of game one hand size of mine ,
A&E ***** BROKEN KNUCKLE , FINGER AND TO THE HAND ...... soccer players , we &%£# em .

Absolutely spot on, forgetting how loosing feels makes you complacent hopefully they can get that winning feeling back and it will mean more to them

Think its time for a rant!!!
First and foremost, sincere congratulations to East Leeds for a fantastic winning performance today against the Allblacks. You took the game to us and really deserved to win...well done and good luck with the rest of your season.
However, as Crigg parents we were a disgrace. Whwn they called out the names of our young heroes did we clap and cheer?? No we never made a sound. East Leeds cheered the walls down and their kids knew they were supported.
Many of our players went into this game with their heads down and defeated before the ball was even kicked. Some showed a negative attitude I have never seen from them and quite frankly hope I never see again. But it wasn't their fault. Im not normally one for airing dirty laundry in public but I was ashamed of myself this morning for putting up with a lot of things lately.
We have a coach who would do anything for the lads and who cant have done a bad job winning just about everything with them for the last 2 years but for some reason lately and the week leading up to a cup final, people want to tear this club apart and start a political game for power. This isnt for the benefit of the kids, OUR KIDS, but for the benefit of certain adults. You, WE, sent our children, yes children into battle against a strong East Leeds team, with their heads low and confused. Not only that we did nothing to support them through it. Despite the differences we have with Leeds parents, they actually acted like parents this morning. Many of us just expected our lads to win. Theyre kids, not machines.
Personally i dont care if the moderator thinks I have gone too far today and kicks me off, but I am not willing to put up with what i allowed to happen this morning. Our own parents shouting and berating our own coach and each others kids. Some of the opposition staff were no better with the disgusting things we heard said about some of our lads but I wouldnt dream of spoiling their day. It was their day afterall.
My message is this, loud and clear, get behind your kids and the coach who has never let you down, let them enjoy their rugby and dont try to make it about us, itys JUNIOR rugby and not all about winning, or get lost because these kids deserve better. WE lost them that final today. taking nothing away from East Leeds but you dont go from hammering a team 3 weeks ago to getting an absolout tonking like we did today by the same team. We need to grow up and just enjoy watching our kids having fun.if you dont like what i say, i dont care. Well done again East Leeds.

Just asked "statto" , and quick as a flash 24-14 !

Hope young mutts is ok - certainly didn't show during the game ....brave lad !

Also congrats to East Leeds , they were fantastic today .

In my experience, there are certain people involved in jr rugby who will never, ever, get that message.

I think it is the same every where the winning seams to be more important than playing with smiles on there faces now days. It is a fantastic age group I watch it regular because my nephew plays for panthers there some very good young players every where and in few year we will be watching a lot of them on TV but for now let them be kids.