This year the already high flying Junior section of the Skolars was bolstered even further with the addition of a Mini’s age-group. Primary RL is a new concept this year introduced across the country, with some variation on the 13-a-side open age rules and large emphasis on player involvement, movement skills and most importantly fun.
The Mini Skolars started off way back in April, with a few dedicated volunteer coaches, parents and some enthusiastic young boys and girls all eager to get involved and learn the Skolars way of Rugby League. With a full fixture list of Primary RL Festivals in place there was to be many opportunities for the Mini Skolars to test out their new skills learnt in training. Each week saw an increase in numbers and now the Mini Skolars are represented at U7’s, U9’s and U11’s a huge achievement in their first season.
After some encouraging performances out in Elmbridge, Hemel, Southend and Medway, this week the Mini Skolars headed to St Albans for what was the 6th London festival of the year. It was the oldest of the Mini’s Skolars that were out first and without a warm-up after the long drive they started the slower than their opponents from Croydon Hurricanes. However as the game wore on and the Skolars began to wake up their defence found some resilience and they managed to get a foot hold in the game, however it was too little too late and the final result went in favour of the South Londoners. Next up was Southend Spartans, and it was a complete contrast to the previous game. With the Skolars lads all warm and raring to go, they surged into an early lead, and although the Spartans struck back to level the game, the forwards power game made good yards down the field and led the Skolars to their first victory of the day. As the rain poured down the final game of the festival saw Skolars pitted against the hosts St Albans Centurions. Both teams began the game at a frantic pace and after a few uncharacteristic errors by the Skolars lads the home team stretched ahead with a good few tries. However undeterred the Skolars then produced the best passage of play of the day, an outstanding attacking set propelled the lads up the field with every player handling the ball. Then a text book play the ball at speed allowed Ethan D to slide into the corner to score a sensational try. There were notable contributions by Jamin, Ethan GM, Josh, Tom, Nick, Chris, Lola, Dillon, Keiron, Ethan D, Cameron and Shaquile.
The U9’s generally played well considering they were 1 or 2 bodies down for the majority of the festival. Coming out of the day with 1 win from 3 games, some great results meant that not one player can be singled out, but some outstanding goalline defence by Noah saved many tries whilst Nicholas on the wing was a ‘try machine’ out wide. Tate and Alfie playing the role of props in the middle constantly had defences worried with their bullocking runs through the midfield and all these were ably controlled around the field by half-backs Joe and Asa Ackley.
The youngest of the Mini Skolars, the U7’s resumed their fruitful festival partnership with Medway Dragons to go unbeaten in 6 games. The team scored some excellent tries, exploiting gaps both on the edges and through the middle with Issac and Nye to the fore in attack and defence. Unfortunately the U7’s couldn’t keep their unbeaten tag going into the final game and were outdone by a few excellent plays from St Albans.
All in all the Mini-Skolars had a great day out and represented the club fantastically well on and off the field. They will regroup this week and head down to the London Primary RL Championships which takes place at the Stoop, home of London Broncos. They children will get a chance to play on the first team field and then watch the crucial Superleague game against Salford afterward. Hopefully they can bring back some well deserved silverware to top off their outstanding first season.
