We (Oulton Raiders Under 7's) went to Thornhill today and drew 8-8, was 5-3 down at half time going uphill but we got going down it in the 2nd half. 8 games in and we are starting to see some good improvement from the lads in their first season.

Very nice reception from Thornhill, and everything about them (from the players, to coaching staff and the referee) was exactly how it should be for the kids and we look forward to playing them again.

So for our lads in their first year we have played drawn 2, lost 2 and won 4 and have shown steady improvement throughout the season so far. We don't seem to have any "big kids" but the lads are finding ways of making up for it.

Glad you enjoyed the day mate, I was the referee and it was a cracking game between two well matched teams.I coach the u-8s at Thornhill and all our mini age groups are inundated with new kids wanting to play the game which is great for the club. We think it's important the kids are well disciplined and have respect for their opponents from an early age. Best of luck for the rest of the season.

Another big improvement for the Raiders Under 7's last night against Kippax, a side that beat us something like 7-2 a few weeks ago in very windy conditions. We have been working on defense since the previous game against Kippax and it really showed last night, the lads seemed to have a really good success rate at completing tackles once they actually got to the players - but we still need to work on getting a bit of structure in the defensive line and get them to move up as a line. We have Townville Tigers on Sunday, a really good looking side who played last year too - played 3 games in a festival at the beginning of the year without conceding a try and they appear to be the best side in the league by all accounts - so that will be a real hard test.

Seems to be a bit of a struggle for us with the "new" rules this year, whereby each team completes their set of 6 regardless of errors made. I understand the concept of it and that it is trying to get players to play the game without fear of making errors but it seems counter productive to allow a team to offload the ball absolutely anywhere almost like the free play in SL, if it goes to hand (even after a few bounces) then there is every chance they will score given the compressed nature of the defense and if it goes to the other team the offloading team get the ball back and continue. I just think this is sending the wrong message about because there is no downside to

As a coaching team we have made the decision not to let the lads offload as yet - and last night we didnt make 1 all game, but we conceded a couple of tries to offloads that ended up bouncing all over before being picked up by their side and scoring from it, we will work on it soon when their general ability level increases. Does anybody else have a view?

shaw cross 11s still unbeaten 36-30 after what im told was a hard win over at leeds side staningley.

shame that the 13s game at cas seemed to be on but then off but then called off two weejs prior .
im sure i saw cas play a shawcross team that was understrength and didnt even have a full team.

is it all about winning or not?

i can let others in on a little secret now on perhaps why crigg do so well . if our so called better players were on holiday the development players would be playing, its a mith that its a 2,3 man show.
there is no pushing players out and thats why theses players also have winners medals .

i just thought better from a under 13s div 1 team who aspire to be better. is beating crigg that important to you ? its a game for the kids not grown ups. im sure all available players would of played for cas today maybe they are more proud.

i really do wish you good luck for season but with teams like hunslet and fev breaking a gut to get into div 1 i hope you change your attitudes.

i also accept that somewhere crosswires have happend and yep im ed off cos ive miss my yiung un play to get a message driving trough normy.

Fixture and KO time was confirmed earlier in the week, game does not show a postponement on YJARL website up to 12.30pm today 1st June
Think that communication has failed at all levels and a number of Crigg parents would have a valid claim for fuel expenses as the coach was only informed at 11am which will have been after a few had set off to the game.

I assume the clubs voted to bring in the new rules?

For mine its a poor rule, the players should learn young, dropping a ball or just making a mistake is something they learn from and it is just a "mistake/error" what does matter is that they understand and learn.

Good luck anyway.

Please make sure you are aware of all the facts before you post drivel on here, you really are first class!!

I apologise to Lance and most of the other Crigg parents for what was obviously a big failing on the leagues part.

Would be interested to know who the fixture was confirmed with earlier this week????

Game was called off two weeks ago due to us not being able to field a team,

One last question, would Crigg have played with 10 players and no coach available????

Sometimes I wonder how low you will stoop to try and score points!! Get over it and move on..... I certainly have.

I'm aware that someone confirmed game and that on the back of that some made the journey over. we were at normey with another player when we found out. it also meant my other child did without parental support .

I'm surprised that you knew so far in front that you would be short of players on what is the end of Whits weeks.
unless something as occurred at the club , if so then that's a shame
I'm also aware that when Shaw Ross didn't have a full team you still put a full 13 on did you not ?

I am sorry however to learn that you only have 10 players and I take it back , the last I knew cars panthers was a up and coming club with 20 odd players and a decent coaching set up. if things have changed then I apologise unreservedly.and I honestly mean it kids need consistently not changes at the helm

I'm glad you have the strength to move on and demonstrat this by pulling my post to pieces and leaving others.

finally , yes we have played many games without lance instructions wrote down or a phone call from oz maybe and if we are short numbers so be it 2 and half years ago crigg had 9 players on a good day but like I said a great team came out of it.


your missing the bigger picture games like this bring on the players that wouldn't normally get a game if your around I'm guessing that at least gives you a decent half back .


stop taking everything soooooooooooo personal

yep I think I should stay away from the co-op this weekend makes you think its personal what with last month , thing is I stopped believing them stories after crigg 8s and the infamous knottingley fine however now

yes my spelling is e nothing changes eh

Please conduct any disputes with the relative authorities.

Either PM or take it to BARLA/YJL.

Thanks.

The rule is stupid my lad plays for eastmoor u9s and we been playing under the rule only now to be told its back to proper rules the boys won't know what's going on.the dragons entertain shaw cross tomorrow hoping to continue there unbeaten run which as seen them win every game this season

Spartans U14's host Gateshead Storm tomorrow - they're a service area type side from the North East, whom we visited last year and are now returning the favour; they are an excellent outfit, so it should be a cracking game.

Kick-off is 12 noon at Ossett Trinity - anyone who is at a loose end is very welcome; rumour has it that a former Trinity star might be in attendance!

Does anyone else know why I've been mentioned in this post?

No idea seth.

Due to compliants from posters this thread is on borrowed time and that would be a shame.

I thought we could use this to support all juniors playing RL but it seems club squabbles will see an end to it.