Two days, two fixtures, two Monty winners and one very battered second team!
Well, this weekend has to go down as one of the best in Pythons RUFC history. Granted, our history as a minis section isn’t particularly long, but you’ve got to start somewhere!
Two days of rugby, some outstanding performances, a historic first home fixture, plenty of hot dogs and chips, and a senior team who kindly reminded our youngsters that winning isn’t everything!
SATURDAY: TAKING ON THE MIGHTY THIRSKONIANS!
Saturday saw our Hatchlings travel up to Thirsk to take part in the mighty Thirskonians’ Family Fun Day. And what a fantastic day they put on. Brilliantly organised, great hospitality and a wonderful example of what grassroots rugby should be about.
Our youngsters played an hour of rugby in mixed teams and, quite simply, were absolutely superb.
Every coach came away delighted with what they’d seen. The footwork, the speed, the tagging, the support play and, most importantly, the decision-making were all outstanding.
Now, we don’t want to get carried away, but it was clear to see just how far our Hatchlings have come. Their understanding of the game and their skill levels really stood out, and it wasn’t just their slightly biased coaches who noticed!
Several Thirsk parents and coaches commented on the standard of rugby our youngsters were playing, which was fantastic to hear.
For a group that’s only been together a few months, it’s remarkable progress. Clearly, all those Sunday mornings of organised chaos are starting to pay off!
MONTY GOES TO WILLOW!
Saturday’s prestigious Monty the Python award went to the brilliant Willow!
Once again, Willow showed wonderful footwork, great speed and some excellent tagging. But what’s becoming particularly pleasing is how she’s developing into a proper team player, looking for her teammates, supporting others and making some really clever decisions.
A thoroughly deserved winner. Well done, Willow!
After their own rugby, the Hatchlings had the honour of cheering our second team onto the pitch as they ran out for their game.
It was a brilliant sight and a lovely moment for the club, seeing the youngest members supporting the slightly older, considerably heavier members of the Pythons family.
Unfortunately, the second team then proceeded to demonstrate exactly what happens when the opposition scores rather more tries than you do!
I’m not entirely sure the Hatchlings learnt much about attacking rugby from the performance, although they certainly got a masterclass in resilience, perseverance and the importance of a good post-match pint!
Still, it’s not all about winning. At least that’s what we kept telling the second team afterwards!
A huge thank you to Thirskonians for a superb day.
SUNDAY: A LITTLE BIT OF PYTHONS HISTORY!
Sunday marked a genuinely special occasion for the club.
Our first EVER Hatchlings home fixture!
After weeks of travelling around Yorkshire, usually trying to work out which entrance leads to which rugby pitch, it was finally our turn to host.
Our visitors were Richmondshire, although for a while it appeared they had decided to play somebody else entirely!
Somehow, they managed to arrive at the wrong rugby club further up the road. Quite how you mistake another rugby club for Pythons is anyone’s guess, but we put it down to the excitement of the occasion!
Eventually, they found us, the rugby got underway and our Hatchlings picked up exactly where they’d left off on Saturday.
They were absolutely brilliant.
Quick feet, quick thinking, some fantastic tagging and a growing understanding of when to run, when to pass and, perhaps most importantly, which direction to run!
Their game awareness was particularly impressive. They were spotting spaces, supporting each other and playing with a confidence that has developed enormously since those first few sessions.
It was also lovely to have our chairman, Julian Tatlow, and first-team captain, Hugh Tatlow, watching alongside the coaching team.
Hugh was particularly impressed with the standard of rugby, commenting that it reminded him of when he was a young lad.
Given how long ago that must have been, we’re assuming rugby has changed quite considerably since then!
But joking aside, it was fantastic to have the support of the senior club, and Hugh’s comments meant a great deal to everyone involved.
MONTY GOES TO THE BIRTHDAY GIRL!
Sunday’s Monty the Python award was presented by Hugh himself to the outstanding Phoebe!
Coaches Russell and Lottie were full of praise for her performance. Her tagging and defensive work were absolutely first class, while she also showed plenty of flair and confidence with the ball in hand.
A brilliant all-round performance and a very deserving winner.
And to make things even better, it was Phoebe’s birthday!
Not a bad way to celebrate. A morning of rugby, a Monty award presented by the first-team captain and a clubhouse full of teammates singing Happy Birthday.
I’m not sure what else was on her birthday wish list, but it’s going to have to be pretty special to beat that!
HOT DOGS, CHIPS AND A BIT OF CLUB HISTORY!
After the rugby, we headed upstairs for another important milestone.
Our first ever home-fixture hot dogs and chips!
And what a sight it was.
All the Hatchlings sat together around the tables, chatting, laughing, eating and generally enjoying being part of the team, while the parents were relegated to the outside.
Quite right too. The youngsters had done all the hard work!
We finished with a rendition of Happy Birthday for Phoebe, and it was one of those moments when you look around and realise that something rather special is beginning to develop.
Because, as much as we love seeing the youngsters improve their rugby, the friendships, confidence and sense of belonging are every bit as important.
They might not remember every try they score or every tag they make, but they’ll remember mornings like this.
And hopefully they’ll remember to thank whoever made the hot dogs!
NEXT SUNDAY: BRING A FRIEND!
So, Hatchlings, your mission is simple.
Find a friend, schoolmate, neighbour, brother, sister, cousin or anyone else who might fancy giving rugby a go and drag them along!
Well, don’t literally drag them. We do have safeguarding procedures.
We’d love to get a few more youngsters involved and continue growing the squad. We’ve plenty of space for new Hatchlings, and a few extra bodies wouldn’t hurt as we head further into the season. Particularly if the second team are anything to go by, because apparently rugby can be quite a bruising experience!
No experience needed, no fancy skills required and absolutely no expectation that they’ll know which way to run on day one.
Just turn up, have a laugh, make some friends and enjoy being part of the Pythons family.
Player first. Rugby second. Winning third.
Every Kid. Every Chance. Every Session.
UP THE HATCHLINGS!