BASINGSTOKE U7s win two tournaments

Basingstoke U7s have got the 2006-7 season off to a flying start, entering two tournaments in two weeks and winning the Cup in both, and remaining unbeaten in all seven games played! The most exceptional thing about this was that we withdrew the team from friendlies at Petersfield and Overton to concentrate on bringing them together as a team and improving their skills after watching Guildford run rings around us when we visited them!

The first was the Llanera Cup on the 15^th October, hosted by London Irish, with Basingstoke beating Reading and Reading Abbey to take the Trophy. The day was then rounded off with tickets to watch the London Irish V Sale Game, where they went on pitch to form a tunnel and cheer the players onto the pitch, played an exhibition match in front of the crowd at half time and then went back on the pitch at the end for the Cup presentation and pictures with the players. On the 29^th October they played in the Trojans Festival at Eastleigh, attracting teams from all over Hampshire. Coming second in their pool group, they made the Semi Finals against Romsey, who had been top of their group. The Basingstoke defence was so strong that they couldn't get through and beat them 4-0. The final against Havant was much tighter. Having drawn with them earlier, we knew that we could beat them and it was great seeing the team going out onto the pitch believing that they could win. It was a much tighter game but again, the excellent defence gave Basingstoke the advantage and it was their fitness, ability and sheer determination that won them the game 6-5. It was a nail biting match for both sets of spectators and I was glad that I was on the pitch with the players, rather than having to watch it! Not bad for a group of six year olds, some of which hadn’t played before September this year!

So what else have we got to look forward to? There are a whole host of home and away friendlies to take part in and improve on an already solid foundation. On top of playing in front of the London Irish crowd in October, we are also taking a team to The Adams Stadium, home of the Wasps on Boxing Day to play Drifters RFC U7s before watching Wasps V Gloucester and having photos taken with the players. Then of course there is the Hampshire Cup in March, which is a chance to prove who the best team in Hampshire is. Two months ago winning it seemed unlikely, however after recent performances and the same level of commitment that they have shown so far, anything is possible.