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SENIOR RUGBY
The boys set off to Ashford, wondering if this would be the last dance of the season. A national cup quarter final is always a big deal and with good form and a very young and exciting squad, G’s had every right to feel optimistic. This only increased as Chris MM danced in and then Noah slotted a pen for a 8 point lead after the first quarter. Ashford pegged G’s back with a try of their own before another penalty lifted heads once more. An Ashford try, while they were down to 14, was a disappointing end to the half, but G’s still led 10 - 11.

Unfortunately, the second half just didn’t go as planned, with three Ashford try’s taking the scoreboard away from us. A lovely Ted Try briefly giving us hope at the end but it wasn’t enough. The game, and G’s season, ending in a 27 - 16 defeat.

So that’s it for another season. It’s been tough but we are all so encouraged by all the squads attitude for next season, all the new talent coming through and the determination to go again next season!

DOR Dan Poulton said after the game, “Although today’s result didn’t go our way it pretty much summed up our season! So many if, buts and maybes where we could’ve, should’ve won! There are so many positives to take from this season for both 1’s and 2’s! Boys starting their careers and boys finishing them.

I want to thank Ryan and Sandy for all the hours and miles they have spent to put EGRFC in the position we are in now! Good luck at Shoreham Ryan, and enjoy your coaching retirement Sandy”.

Next week in RRU we will have a look at a few key stats and review the season. Thank you to all of you who faithfully support our teams come rain or shine, year on year. See you all back at Saint Hill in September!!!

JUNIOR AWARDS & COLOUR RUN
Before the famous G’s Colour Run, our season awards were presented to our proud children. All the awards are listed below! Congratulations to all.

U11
Coaches' player of the season - Iestyn Moore
Most Improved Player of the season - Justin Clarke
Players' player - Lucas Landymore

U10
Coaches' player of the season - Finlay McKenzie
Most Improved Player of the season - Jude Pullen & Theo Knight
Players' player - Erikas Jonusas

U9
Coaches' player of the season - James Searle
Most Improved Player of the season - Arnau Gibbs-Carrilero
Players' player - Freddie Young

U8
Coaches' player of the season - Theo Trim
Most Improved Player of the season - Thomas Carew
Players' player - Lincoln Adu-Overo
Hard as Nails - Eliot Rees

U7
Coaches' player of the season - Ollie Andrews
Most Improved Player of the season - Fion Barrett
Players' player - William Dirilmis

U5/6
U5 Coaches' player of the season - Elijah Chivers
U6 Coaches' player of the season - Oliver Rees
Most Improved Player of the season - Freddie Peart
Players' player - Grayson Smith

Following the photos, the annual colour run took place. The outgoing U11s coaches, generously volunteered to demonstrate how the course would be run! They were suitably stitched up by the time the crossed the finish line! It was then the turn of the rest of the runners set off from 2 starts and from the go there was an explosion of colour drifting over the training pitch transforming kids and parents.

It didn't take long for everyone to be covered from head to toe in vivid spectrums of pink, blue, orange and every colour imaginable. Most important were seeing the smiles on everyone's faces. The club was hugely busy all afternoon serving food and drinks with many staying on till the late afternoon. The spirit of junior rugby was on show as the afternoon culminated in an all in game of parents and kids family touch fun in front of the clubhouse. What an afternoon!

On behalf of the club, I would like to thank everyone who has made for another exciting year of junior rugby. Our club staff, Dan Arnold, and of course the parents who bring their kids along every week. A huge thanks to the coaches who make this possible along with the parents that volunteer to help.

To the U11s coaches, Ben, Tom, Gareth, Pete, James and Dan. Thanks for all your support. Good luck next year with your step into Intermediate rugby.

See you all in September, we have an exciting season planned so enjoy your summer off!

ENGLAND TOUCH AT SAINT HILL
Exciting news!!! England Touch are coming to EGRFC on 6th June for a training evening. Get this date in the diary and come and play or even watch!! More info coming soon!

RIDE FOR RATANA
By popular demand, the motor bike ‘Ride Out’ in memory of Matt, is back on Saturday 21st June!

It is nearly five years since we tragically lost our head coach Matt. One of the ways we remember him is to be the starting point for a huge annual motorcycle procession - It is an event that I know would make Matt smile.

We are expecting over 100 bikes to be meeting in the car park at the club at 10am, all of the riders from the police or EGRFC, ready to ride to Box Hill at 12 (With full police bike escort!!). Please come and enjoy the machines and wave them off on their memorial ride as we once more remember the great man.

The clubhouse will be open for food and drink, so see you all on the 21st June!!

While we are thinking about Matt, I should mention the epic game last weekend between the Ratana Marauders and MND Barbarians. Captains Billy Twelvetrees and Matt Banahan were both still huge and fast and both teams put on a real show, with the remarkable coaching set up cheering them on. The Marauders ran out 50 - 28 winners, but the most important thing was the money raised for these excellent causes.

To find out more about The Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation and the fantastic work it does, follow this link: MRRF

EAST GRINSTEAD FIRE BRIGADE OPEN DAY
Anyone who attended the last East Grinstead Fire Brigade open day at the club will remember how awesome it was! Here is an early heads up to get this years event, on Saturday 9th August, in your diary. Alongside the fire engines, we will have police dogs, police cars, RNLI, air ambulance and a paramedic group. The miniature railway will also be back, alongside a bouncy castle and Ice cream van!

We will have the club open and the BBQ will be running! Watch this space for more info nearer the time!

MASSIVE ENGLAND FAN?
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AGM
Make sure the 11th July is in the diary!!

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!!