U7s vs Keyworth

An early start to be had at Keyworth as the Turkey Trot had the possibility to disrupt getting to the rugby club. An excellent turnout of 13 Ilkeston U7s arrived to represent on a bright sunny, but cold and muddy morning.

Two pitches were set up and some teams got together. Rolling subs from the elks meant that fresh legs were always available and thanks to the new sub coats no one got cold either!

In the first match the elks showed their experience and skills running in a number of tries but the inexperience but enthusiasm of the Keyworth teams showed and they scored well capitalising on the politeness of the elks! The pitch got progressively more churned, parents on the sidelines lamented the threat to washing machines but on we pressed.
A second match and Keyworth came out ready to play with a couple of players with good skills and excellent stepping while the elks clinical removal of tags got them through. The mud offered no detergent to the Ilkeston team and more than once a break was made through th worst of the mud to take advantage. Several times the break changed direction to through the mud, because who doesn’t love running through the muddy puddles!
Another break and another match. By this stage there was more mud than grass to be seen! I lament for the Keyworth coaches and the email they’ll be getting from their grounds team! The team I watched most was Isla, Eva, Niamh, Zain, and Olivia and it was amazing to see them all working to brilliantly together flowing rugby, good communications, good passing in challenging conditions and some excellent support running. A joy to watch.

I have to say we as a coaching team, Kyla, Louise, and I, just get prouder and prouder of the U7s they are a genuinely nice bunch of children and their willingness to get involved, lend a hand and have a go is truly a marvel. We watch their skills grow and watch them become more comfortable on the pitch and it is brilliant.
With that in mind then the player of the week this week was chosen by Kyla. She says that this player came out of their shell and was showing good teamwork. My opinion is that despite being shy this player comes back every time and gets stuck in showing excellent personal discipline and sportsmanship. This weeks player of the week and earning their first Quilter Kids First lace is..... Olivia!

Congratulations from all of us and keep up that great work.