Welcome to East Grinstead Rugby Round Up. If you are reading this on the website, or via Facebook, please sign up to receive this Newsletter via email, which contains loads of pictures and other content, please email m.marriott@btconnect.com and we will add you to the list.

SENIOR RUGBY
With our 1XV game the only senior fixture of the weekend, all eyes were on Horsham as the boys took the opportunity to blood a few youngsters who made their 1XV debut against a very strong Green 2’s side in the Sussex cup. To read all about it, click here: Match report

To see Ben’s pics, follow this link: Ben's pics

To see Mollys pics, click here: Molly's pics

Next weekend sees a load more action with three awesome looking home games. Our 1’s get back to league action on Saturday as they welcome Weybridge Vandals, while on pitch 2, after two weeks of cancelled games, our 2XV are chomping at the bit as they host Hellingly. Both games kick off at 2pm, so get yourself pitchside!! Please see below to book your pre-match meal seat to what will be a brilliant Saturday.

On Sunday, Our Women are back in action as they welcome Jersey to Saint Hill. Lets all make an effort to give our Channel Island visitors a warm reception. Its a 12.30 kick off, so don’t miss it!

Please watch this awesome promo video. Our Women’s and Girl’s sections are growing in number and skill by the week - Come on, give it a try...: Women promo

AGE GROUP RUGBY
Sunday was a busy day at the club. With visiting teams from Crawley and Reigate it was fantastic to see nearly 200 young players at HQ. The various coaches had joined forces with their opposite numbers from the visiting clubs and organised some joint training followed by some inter-club matches. For the U7’s and the U9’s, it was the first time playing matches against another club. Where our visitors were short on numbers from their respective clubs, the coaches mixed everyone together to run their session which was thoroughly enjoyed.

The U9’s had a great turn out from the visitors with 2 teams from Crawley and 1 from Reigate. After some warm ups, there was a mini tournament. It was great to see the home team so well represented fielding 4 teams. U9’s coaches, Dan Lethbridge, Georgie Knight and Stuart Bell were delighted to see how the players have developed with some big tackling, fast running and offloading resulting in tries galore. A big thanks to Ben Gray and James Adkin for stepping in to help out too.

Dan added, "You could see they put into practice what we had been doing in training. The tackling was so much better and no wild passes. Also good seeing them with 2 hands on the ball".

Speaking with the coaching team from the visiting clubs, they were surprised to hear that our U9’s have not had any competitive matches this season, such was the quality of play shown by all 4 home teams.

The U8s were light on visiting numbers and mixed things up to have a great time. After the session, the club had laid on some well earned hot food for all the kids which went down a storm. 200 hotdogs disappeared as though a swarm of locusts had been through it. A big thanks to Nikki, Jim and the team for laying this on.

Whilst we had the U7’s, 8’s and 9’s at the club, the U10’s and 11’s were away having the replicated fixture at Crawley. Sadly, due to circumstances beyond their control, both Crawley and Reigate were unable to field a team for our U10’s. Fortunately we were able to accommodate them at home to boost the numbers filing through our doors.

The U11’s however were able to take part in a mini tournament at Crawley RFC, playing matches against Crawley and Reigate. Head coach Dan Arnold reported, "This was only the second time this season that we played against opposition, so all players were very excited. As usual, we took a while to get going, and it wasn't until midway through the first way that we decided to turn up and play the expansive game that we like and know we can play. With both opposition teams being physically bigger than us, we had to work hard in defence and relied on our technique, which is improving every time we play. The future is bright."

Having spoken with both visiting coaches and parents alike, the day was a big success. Everyone seemed to have a good time. Both Crawley and Reigate's Junior Chairs have already approached me for a repeat! Crawley's head coach added, "Great session this morning, thanks very much for hosting us East Grinstead. The team thoroughly enjoyed themselves". Reigate also passed on their thanks too, "Thank you East Grinstead for hosting today's session and for the hot dogs!! Thank you to all the coaches for a great morning of rugby"

On a personal note, I would like to thank all involved from Crawley & Reigate for making the journey and organising the away fixtures. Your teams and parents did you proud and we would love to do this again. I would also like to thank our parents who helped out with the catering and the car parking duties. Without your help, we can do these things. Thank you! A big well done to all our players and coaches too. It's safe to say you did our club proud. I'm sure our mentor who looks over us from pitch 1 would have been happy to see so many young players all enjoying themselves!

Our U12’s had a brilliant 25 - 10 win at home against Bognor, while our U13’s were beaten 35 - 10 after the long journey to Midhurst.

Our U16 Girls, teamed up with Crowborough RFC, to take on Hove on Sunday and what a match it was! In an exhilarating display of skill and determination, the girls showcased their resilience and tactical prowess in a late surge to secure a well-deserved victory. As the game progressed, it was clear to see that our girls faced a formidable opponent who put up a strong defensive front. However, our team's unwavering determination and team spirit pushed them to persistently attack and search for openings in Hove’s defence.

With time ticking away, our girls perseverance paid off as they managed to break through Hove’s defence in spectacular fashion. The players demonstrated exceptional teamwork, executing well-rehearsed set plays and exploiting gaps in Hove’s line. Their strategic decision-making and quick thinking allowed them to exploit every opportunity that arose. The late surge saw our Girls displaying their agility and quick reflexes, skilfully evading tackles and strategically passing the ball to maintain possession and create scoring opportunities. Their offensive efforts were met with great success as they managed to pile on the pressure and score the crucial points.

The girls victory was a testament to their relentless work ethic, mental fortitude and unyielding determination. Their commitment to each other and their sport was evident throughout the match, and their late surge to win displayed their ability to rise to any challenge. Spectators were left in awe of the team's performance, applauding their exceptional efforts and celebrating their hard-earned victory. The girls from both East Grinstead and Crowborough, proved themselves to be a force to be reckoned with, leaving a lasting impression on both their opponents and supporters.

Overall, the late surge to win 37 - 32 was a testament to the team's skill, teamwork, and never-give-up attitude. It serves as a shining example of what can be achieved when determination meets talent. I can certainly speak for everyone involved and say we can’t wait for more thrilling performances in the next match against Uckfield on the 10th December at Crowborough.

PRE-MATCH MEAL (2nd December)
It will be quite a show at Saint Hill on Saturday, with both 1’s and 2’s in action. Time is running out to book your seat at our popular annual ‘Old Boys’ meal before the action. You have until the close of play on Thursday to contact Derek and join him and players of G’s glorious past, as you enjoy a delicious three course meal.

Please click here for details of this and the next home game meal, ‘Christmas Jumpers’, which is also selling out quickly: Meal tickets

NEW FAMILY TOUCH THIS FRIDAY!!
At the moment, Touch Rugby is held at the club on a Monday evening and this will continue. But to grow, and welcome new players, we are adding Family Touch on a Friday evening from the 1st December, which is for all ages, genders and abilities. We are particularly encouraging whole families to join us, along with new or returning players keen to give it a try.

If you are interested, please email Brendan for more info on: bgerag@gmail.com Or, just turn up with your boots on Friday at 6pm at the club.

If you are more interested in our Monday evening Touch, please click here for more info and contact details: Touch rugby

G’s STASH ON TOUR
To kick off our new ‘G’s Stash on Tour’ pics, here is Junior chair, Tom Goldsworthy, joined by Dan Lethbridge and Tom Brooke at Sauze d’Oulx in Italy. Congratulations, you have been entered into our monthly prize draw (Although, you will have to share the prize if you win!!).

There will be a monthly prize given to the best photo of G’s memorabilia around the world, which will be voted for by the board and published in RRU. To take part, please send your pictures to m.marriott@btconnect.com with a suitable caption. Get your pics in now!

7’s ACADEMY MASTERCLASS AT EGRFC
Do you want to become a professional rugby sevens player? The academy masterclass is where Boys and Girls can start that journey. All sessions are run by qualified coaches, who are looking to spot the next superstars of the game.

Sessions will consist of Strength & Conditioning components, Skills blocks and Games. The standout players from this event will be invited to trial for our brand new EggChaser 7s Regional Academy squads. Players who standout for the Regional Academy will be selected to represent the Lions & Lionesses U14, U16 and U18 squads, at this years EggChaser 7s. They will be running out alongside the professional Lions and Lionesses.

For more info or to book your place, click here: 7's Masterclass

200 CLUB WINNERS
November winners are as follows:
1st, no 14 - £125.00
2nd, no 55 - £50.00
3rd, no 7 - £25.00

Well done to all our winners! If you want to contact us and let us know what you spent your prize money on, we would be delighted to hear from you!

Why not join the fun and be part of our 200 club, please click here for more details and how to sign up: 200 Club

OTHER NEWS
If you have any news about any aspect of our rugby family here at East Grinstead, get involved and email m.marriott@btconnect.com. See you next week!!