This week the boys travelled up to Newmarket RUFC who were hosting the Prima Tiger Festival. A large contingent from Woodham travelled up the day before, visiting Newmarket to watch the Wales Saffas game, playing touch rugby and football, in what would be the first mini tour for the team.

There were games and fun for both boys and parents, with handcuffs and fines involved. But as the saying goes, what goes on on tour stays on tour so back to the days rugby. Archie, Ashley and Sam joined the rest of the team on Sunday morning. However Woodham suffered a blow with Jake injuring his hand the night before putting him out of the festival.

Woodham were drawn in Pool A along with Newmarket, Peterborough, Bury St Edmunds, Braintree and Rushden & Higham. Games would be 6 minutes per half with 2 minutes break between each half.

Woodham's first match would be against Bury. The Bury team towered above Woodham, as did most of the more northern teams, making us wonder what they feed their teams to get them so big.

Bury dominated the play from the off with Woodham struggling to get into their stride. Balls were dropped and opportunities missed, and by the end of the first half Woodham were trailing 3 - 0.

The second half saw more of the same, with Woodham continuing to concede more tries. Although Archie had some excellent tackles and rucks, some of which he made the tackle then got back on his feet to ruck over the ball. However Woodham couldn't stop Bury, the final score 5 - 0.

After a minutes Silence at 11:00 to mark the memory of those who fought and gave the ultimate price, Woodham took to the field against Rushden & Higham. This started in the same way as the first match, but soon Woodham woke up. The score at half time was 2 - 1 to Rushden, with Ross thundering over for the score.

The match saw good tackles from the likes of Joshua and Harvey, and some good rucking from Sam, but Woodham couldn't hold Rushden off and the final score was 4 - 1 to Rushden. Woodham suffered a second blow, as Harvey was unable to continue after aggravating his knee injury from last week.

After a short break Woodham had 3 back to back matches, the first of which was Peterborough. Woodham again struggled to capitalise any advantage in the game, although saw some great tackling from Archie, Ben and Joshua. The score at half time 2 - 0 to Peterborough.

However the second half saw a revived Woodham start to show some promise, firstly with a try from Ben then closely followed by Ross storming over the line. It also so some great offloads from both Archie and Joshua, and excellent rucking again from Archie. Woodam conceded once more and the final score was 3 - 2 to Peterborough.

Next up was fellow Essex side Braintree. Woodham knew this would be a tough game and they were proved right. The tackles were hard and the Braintree side well drilled, with Woodham 4 - 0 down at half time.

Braintree's 3rd and 4th tackles almost stopped on the line by the Woodham defence. Great tackling again from Archie, Joshua and Oliver, with Archie dominating again in the ruck and Joshua winning the ball in the Maul.

The second half saw much of the same, but the match was stopped for a short period after a strong tackle from Woodham left one of the Braintree Lads unable to get up from the floor.

After about 5 minutes the play continued with Braintree player being taken to hospital as a precaution, with an injury to his shoulder. We wish him well and a speedy recovery. Final score was 6 - 0 to Braintree.

The last match of the festival for Woodham saw them take on the home team, Newmarket. By now the days play had taken its toll but Ross and Archie still competed in the tackle. Half time the score was 3 - 1 to the home side, with the Woodham try completed by Archie.

The second half saw a similar affair. Again Ross was getting the tackles, and Archie was driving forward in the Maul, but Woodham were conceded one more try without any further reply. Final score 4 - 1 to Peterborough.

A great mornings rugby against some strong sides, Woodham learning a lot from the festival. More to work on but were going in the right direction. Next week we are away at Bancroft. Further details on the club website.

Match details

Match date

Sun 10 Nov 2013

Kickoff

10:00

Meet time

09:30

Location

Newmarket RUFC

Instructions

The competition shall be known as the Prima Tiger Cup and is open to clubs by application only.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL GAMES WILL BE PLAYED TO THE “RFU – NEW RULES OF PLAY” – U10 VERSION.
Age Group
Strictly Under 10. (This is a Competition Rule) However consideration will be given to official dispensation where held under RFU Regulation 15.3.4/15.4.3, but this is at the discretion of the organisers who must be informed a minimum of 14 days before a festival or game. Written confirmation that an assessment in accordance with RFU Regulation 15 has been carried out, will be required, signed by your Club Safeguarding Officer, together with a copy of the appropriate authority from your Constituent Body.

Registration
All players must be registered with their club prior to the 9th October of each year. Any player joining after the 9th October may be deemed to be “cup tied”, and can only play at the discretion of the organisers. Team managers may be required to produce for inspection registration cards and copies of any special dispensations.

Registration/Squad list including basic contact details must be completed as part of the initial application process.

Age Grade Regulations
The festival and knockout fixtures will count towards a player’s Age Grade allocation. These are not extra games. (See RFU Regulation 15.14.1)

The Festival
Area festivals will be hosted by local clubs on behalf of the Tigers. Venue and dates are on individual application forms. Further details including start times will be distributed at a later date.
For all games, squads will consist of 14 players. The squad size is per game so where clubs have large squads there is scope to accommodate all players by rotation. However observance must be given to RFU Regulation 15.14.1
Referees - A participating club must nominate a competent (qualified) referee.

Equipment
Players may only use studs and other clothing that are in accordance with iRB Laws of the Game. (See RFU Regulations 15.13). Special notice must be taken of Regulation 15.13.4 regarding the wearing of spectacles, glasses or specifically designed sports goggles.

Festival Competition Rules
The festival is a qualifying competition for the quarter-final knockout stages of the Prima Tiger Cup.

Playing squads will number 14 per game.

The format of the festival will be subject to the total number of entries received, however there will be a minimum number of games on a league basis.

Five points will be awarded for each win and Two for a draw.

In the event of teams having equal points when the league games are complete, then final positions will be decided on the following basis:

1. The team that has scored the most tries. Should these be the same then….
2. The team that has conceded the least tries. Should these be the same then….
3. The scores between the sides involved (a) at full time, and should these be the same, (b) at half time, (c) then 1st try scorer.
4. We must have a set position in each league to determine qualifiers, so if all the above are equal then the league positions will be decided by the toss of a coin.

The Prima Tiger Cup Knockout Stages
All these games will be played at Welford Road as a complement to a 1ST XV fixture. Consequently quarter-final, semi-final and final dates will be released as soon as they are known.

Please note that detailed instructions will be given to the qualifying teams, but basic details for this part of the competition are:

(a) Strictly Under 10. (This is a Competition Rule) However consideration will be given to official dispensation where held under RFU Regulation 15.3.4/15.4.3, but this is at the discretion of the organisers who must be informed a minimum of 14 days before a festival or game. Written confirmation that an assessment in accordance with RFU Regulation 15 has been carried out, will be required, signed by your Club Safeguarding Officer, together with a copy of the appropriate authority from your Constituent Body.

(b) Match squads will consist of 14 players and two coaches. Match day tickets will be provided.

(c) Any parent or supporter wishing to enter Welford Road will have to purchase a match day ticket. These are subject to availability.

(d) Matches will normally be played as a curtain raiser before the 1st XV game. However, Tigers reserve the right to play the game after the 1st XV game, should conditions dictate. This would normally be due to inclement weather or television scheduling. This is a decision taken by Tigers on the day and we have no control over the timing.

(e) All players must come in full kit and track suits

(f) All equipment MUST conform to RFU Regulations 15.13. Players may only use studs and other clothing that are in accordance with iRB Laws of the Game. (See RFU Regulations 15.13). Special notice must be taken of Regulation 15.13.4 regarding the wearing of spectacles, glasses or specifically designed sports goggles

(g) All games will count towards a player’s Age Grade allowance. They are not extra games and care must be taken to ensure that players do not exceed their allowed fixture allocation. (See RFU Regulation 15.14.1)

(h) The only persons allowed on the pitch are the 14 squad members and the two coaches.

(i) In the event of the Tigers 1st XV game being postponed, the Prima Tiger Cup fixture will be re-scheduled.

(j) Match Rules – Quarter-final and Semi-final Stages. In the event of a draw at full-time the winner shall be the team leading at half-time. In the event of a draw at half time the winner shall be the first try scorer. Should the score be nil/nil at full-time, then the qualifier shall be decided by the toss of a coin. The coin will be tossed before the game commences.

(k) Match Rules - Final – In the event of a draw at full time, the trophy will be shared.

Addendum
In (c) above we mentioned that parents and supporters must purchase a match day ticket. These are subject to availability and we recommend that you make provision for the purchase of tickets as soon as you know your club has qualified for whatever stage. It is the responsibility of the participating club to ensure that this is made clear to everybody.

In the past we have had requests for admission just to see the Prima Tiger Cup game. Unfortunately such requests have to be declined because of ground safety regulations.

Would you also make it perfectly clear to all parents and supporters that game scheduling may be altered, and that the decision for this is taken in the interest of safety for the participants, by the Leicester Football Club Plc.

Team overview