Easter Tour

Paula has asked me to remind everyone who is going on tour that there is a pre tour meeting on wednesday April 1st at Rochford.
Could you please ensure that at least one parent or guardian is with you on the night as there are club forms that need to be signed if you are going.
The meeting will cover all aspects of the tour and also we will need to know which pick up point you will be joining the coach at.

Please give either Paula or myself a call if you need any further information

Thanks and here's to a fun weekend.

Easter Tour

With only a few weeks left before we head of to the National Forest for this years tour, can all girls ensure that they have paid any outstanding monies to Paula by sunday please.

We now have the games confirmed and we shall be playing Burfield (Burton & Lichfield) on the saturday, where our hosts are planning to provide the evenings entertainment for both clubs.

On sunday we shall be travelling down the road to play against Paviours (thanks to Ken for the last minute arrangements)

Fancy dress attire is mandatory (something beginning with S )

Paula will be emailing out a detailed itinary for travel etc shortly so please keep an eye on your inbox as we will need to know which pick up point you will be using for the coach.

The U18's were back in League action on sunday with a top of table clash with Gravesend.
It was the first game in a while for those girls who did not take part in the Regional Festival and they were looking forward to getting some game time under their belts.
As expected the girls from Gravesend made it hard for the forwards and it took some big hits from our girls to keep them at bay.
While the forwards were thwarting the Gravesend attacks, the backs had an easier day of it with the back line running in a total of 12 tries and converting 9 of them to give the girls a flattering scoreline of 78-24.

Tries: Scottie 6, Frenchie 3, Frankie J 1, Mouse 1, Jen 1,
Cons, Scottie 8, India 1

Move of the day (as reported because some of us were at London Irish partaking in shandies)
Try scored straight from the lineout, fake lift MCB and Megan, and the ball played to Frances at the back who took ball into contact, forwards rucked over and jen played a quick ball to the backs who following a succession of quick passes went over to score.

Team: MCB, Stumpy, Jemma, Megan, Frances, Jen, Natasha, Emily, India, Sophie, Frank, Fi, Natasha, Mouse.

Well done to all the girls.

Basford Girls shine at Regional.

This year, Basford again had many of their girls away representing the East Region both in the regional heats and the Festival at Litchfield last weekend.

At U15 level we were represented by
Abbie Cook
Maddy Lockwood
Yasmin Pemberton
Lucie Wood
Olivia Stembridge (Captain)
Layla Pickering
Hannah McCready

U18's representing East were
Rachel French
India Harvey
Frances Hughes
Frank Jordan
Fi Jordan
Jen Mugglestone
Emily Scott
Sam Smith
Jemma Sommers
Jessica Wilkins

For some of the girls it was their first taste of Regional Rugby and for others their final taste before moving up to the Senior programme.
Each girl should be proud of their achievements as they all played a part in ensuring that both Teams came away from the weekend as the best side in England.

The club also supplied the backbone of the Regional support staff this year with Paula Bates doing a fantastic role as the Team Manager for the U15's & U18's as well as assisting with the Seniors trials.
Our U15's Coaches Jeff Stembridge and Pete Turner were regional coaches under the lead coach Andy Hargraves of Eastern Counties.
Gavin Scott took on the role of Lead coach for the U18's assisted by Tony McClarnon (Both Basford) with the 3rd coach Simon Shutler of Saracens & Herts.
Thanks also to the team first Aider/Welfare officer Rebecca Burton Howard (Jock)

As Regional Programme Manager it has been a pleasure to work with the players and coaches over the last 12 weeks and especially pleasing to see Basford Girls playing such a large part in the East Region success.

Thanks also to the Basford Parents for the support given to the players during the regional heats and the finals.

Now its back to the small matter of both sides trying to bring more silverware back to the club by continuing their winning ways in the Kent & Surrey league.

Congratulations to all our girls and well done, you deserve it for all the hard work that you have put in

East Region take Honours.

East Region U15's Best Team in England (Official Ranking) 2008/9





East Region U18 Winners 2008/9

Last weekend saw the culmination of the Regional programme for the Youth section.

Saturday saw the U15's put up a terrific display to face Cardiff Blues in the Cup Final, despite going 10-0 down the East girls fought back to make it 10-10 before conceiding a try in the dying moments which handed the cup to Cardiff.
Parents and spectators alike could not fail to be impressed with the skills that were on show on the day, and non more so than in the 31-0 win over South West North in the semi final which saw East run in some fantastic tries following some sublime passing across the pitch to stretch their opponents.

All the girls should be proud of themselves for the way they raised the game and were unfortunate to come away as only runners up.

Congratulations to you all and well done.


Scores
East 10 South West South 7
East 27 North East 0

Semi Final
East 31 South West North 0

Final
East 10 Cardiff Blues 15


On the Sunday the U18's were in action and spured on by the U15's achievemnets the day before set out in what was a very tough group stage with a well earned 7-0 win against a very good Ospreys team.T he 2nd pool game saw the girls come up against neighbours South East in what was another very close game that East won 7-0.
The 2 victories put the girls through to the cup semi final against a well drilled South West South team. Following some excellent play from the whole team they ran out winners by 19 points to 5 to set up a cup final clash with one of the favourites the South Region.


A pulsating final saw the girls come away with a 19-3 win to take the trophy back to the region for the first time since 2004

The girls from all 3 counties within the region played their part in ensuring the trophy came home with them.

On a slightly sadder note, we have to report that one of the stars of the weekend Georgia Peedle suffered an injury in the final which later turned out to be a broken leg which we hear will keep her out for some time.

Another casualty was in the U15's where Sydney Grace who following a tackle, hurt her back and had to be taken to hospital, however following a check up no serious damage was found and She was able to get back to watch her team mates in the final and collect her runners up medal.

Scores
East 7 Ospreys 0
East 7 South East 0

Semi Final
East 19 South West South 5

Final
East 19 South 3

Cap'n Natters & Mophead make the grade.

Mophead & Natters

Former Basford Players Natalie McClarnon and Sophie Russell have been selected for the England U20 Squad for the match against Wales on 14th April 2009 . The girls impressed the England coaches at a three day training camp, where the squad was whittled down from 36 players.
Natalie & Sophie have had trials for England in recent years, but this is the first time they have been selected. Natalie said " I was really shocked when i found out as i was competing against two other hookers who had played for England U20 last year" " I really pushed myself and am chuffed that after three years of trying i have finally made the England squad. After not quite making it before , i worked even harder and am so proud that i will represent my country."
Both girls, started their rugby career at a young age at their local clubs and moved to play for Basford until they left to play senior rugby at Saracens and Loughborough this season.
Natalie's father Tony McClarnon who helped coach his daughter said " Its brilliant news. She has worked very hard, she does her club training, training with her conditioning coach, regional training and England training." " I would also like to thank all the other people involved with Natalie's development along the way" Wendy Le Grave who coached and managed Natalie up to U 16's, Gavin Scott who over the Basford U18's from Wendy and Paula Bates, Darren Coomer, Phil Robson for their assistance along the way.