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.

beginning to think we should play games without parents being there, last week we played Crigg in a mid week cup match and the abuse at two of the ex crigg players was silly. even the word judas was clearly herd shouted at him

I for one didn't hear any of that, however plenty of banter between one of Stanley the players and their school mates stood behind the rope, nothing along the lines of Judas tho


it wasn't an unexpected result and there was very little malice between the players and supporters IMO

Fantastic win for Spartans this morning, putting things in perspective we're still missing 7 key regulars including half of the starting pack, the Captain, the stand off and his replacement and with just 1 substitute.

I seriously feared for us when we lost another front rower just 20mins before kick off but I of all people should know better.

East Leeds ran hard and tackled in numbers but Spartans had too much firepower left in the team and very fast line speed with strong defence meant good field position throughout the match.

Final score:
Spartans 34 - 6 East Leeds

Eastmoor dragons won at new eastwick(York) 9-3 today a great performce ESP as they didn't have there coach on pitch with them for first ever time

I agree mate and to a team who most certainly deserved their win, is it a changing of the guard? I don't know and I don't care at least we can play and enjoy ahhhhhhhhh.and at least we / I can prove its not just about winning.
Their was a burning feeling of pride as I pondered on what the team had achieved since they were just 11 year olds waiting to go to "big boy school"

Sorry to disagree with a mate ft but I was sat with snowie and the very mouth it came from called one lad it once upon a time when he left crigg 4 Stanley

I wasn't going to mention what as happened during the last few weeks etc but Saturday was shocking.
I sat were we normally sit at fev .
ATEOTD I don't care who said what about who . and another thing Stephen is staying at Crigglestone AB cos last time I was at a club and this happened I moved him and became the villain and lost what I thought was a friend because I carny be any thing except honest.

I don't care what happened last week etc its insignificant to my lads happiness. And to my judgement.

Lance Day is the finest coach junior wise I've ever come across, its impossible to agree with everything any coach does but my lad thinks he's the bees .
Saturday I lost respect for someone and some others just proved decisions were right.

I'm a proud dad and support a few amateur clubs , ask snowie .

If you want to stay great if not fine , its not all about the gold.