Season now finished.

 

July/August - TBC - Summer Training - TBC

                   YES, we plan to offer summer fitness training

                   Wednesdays - Liz (Tom B's mum) has offered to take us all for a run
                     This will probably start from/finish at Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre

                   Tuesdays - we plan to run fitness session's up at the club

                   This is all still to be confirmed

 

Cheers,
Andy, Ady, Simon, Mike & Jerry.

06/May/2008 - GRFU Senior Cup - St Mary's vs Dings Crusaders

Congratulations to St Mary's 1st Team squad on their Cup run.

Unfortunately Dings proved too strong in the Final, running out 49-17 winners.

Cheers,
SMOB u13's

20/Apr/2008 - SMOB vs Chippenham

SMOB welcomed Chippenham for a rematch after losing to them in the BJC Plate earlier in the season.

SMOB 12 - 22 Chippenham (2T, 1C vs 4T, 1C) A much improved performance today by SMOB from the last time the 2 sides met.
Both sides attempted to win quick ball and move it out wide with the Backs which made for a fast and open game.

First Half: SMOB 0 - 12 Chippenham (nil vs 2T, 1C)
 

Second Half: SMOB 12 - 10 Chippenham (2T, 1C vs 2T)

   

Well done guys.

Cheers,
Andy, Ade, Simon & Jerry  

14/Apr/2008 - Avon RFC vs SMOB

SMOB travelled to Avon.  Thanks to Terry and the Avon u13 squad for hosting us.
Thanks also to Simon for organising everything with Andy & Ade away - ably assisted by Jerry & Mike.

AVON 0 - 93 SMOB (nil vs 15T, 9C)

A special mention to the following 6 SMOB players who agreed to guest for Avon, who were short of a few players -
1st Half - Ellis, Elwood & James BM
2nd Half - Ben P, James S & Reuben
Thanks guys for this - this is what the spirit of Rugby is all about.

An excellent performance today.
For the whole game we played good head's up rugby, rucking well, mauling effectively, off loading superbly and supporting as a team all through the game.
Even though we were well ahead we still kept the ball moving, no one being greedy - excellent 15 man rugby.

First Half: Avon 0 - 52 SMOB (nil vs 8T, 6C)

Tries -

Zak (his first TRY for the club)
Sam
Ben CH
Reuben
Kieran x2
Ben Sc (his first TRY for the club)
Ben Se (his first TRY for the club)

Conversions -

Alec x6

Second Half: Avon 0 - 41 SMOB (nil vs 7T, 3C)

Tries -

Tom B
Ben Se x2
Kieran
Alec x2
Sam

Conversions - 

Ben Se
Zak
Tom B  

Well done guys.

Cheers,
Simon, Mike & Jerry  

06/Apr/2008 - SMOB vs Dursley RFC

SMOB entertained Dursley today.  Thanks to Keith & Andrew and the Dursley u13 squad for a game played in good spirits and with positive intent.

SMOB 59 - 12 Dursley (9T, 7C vs 2T, 1C)

Some entertaining rugby on show from both sides.  SMOB won the 'toss' and elected to kick off, so Dursley played with the wind towards the Winterbourne end.

First Half: SMOB 26 - 12 Dursley (4T, 3T vs 2T, 1C)

Unfortunately SMOB started off in their usual slow manner and allowed Dursley to run through them from the kick off and score under the posts. (0-7)

That seemed to spark SMOB into life and the next 10 minutes saw some good rugby from both sides.  SMOB eventually worked the ball out to the Backs from a breakdown and George broke through to score close to the posts.  Alec converted.  (7-7)

Dursley came straight back from the kick-off to put SMOB under pressure eventually forcing their way over for another try which they just failed to convert from out wide on the right. (7-12)

From this point, SMOB rolled up the sleeves and tightened up their game, producing some good runs with good support play. The tackles started to fly in and some good rucks were set up to keep the play going.
From one break up the left, a few tackles were broken and just as the last of the cover came across to kill the move, Alex B, up in support collected the ball and ran hard for the posts to score, breaking two more tackles.  Alec converted. (14-12)

SMOB were now driving well and setting a good forward platform.  With this the Backs were able to work some good moves and George's extra pace allowed him to break through and score under the posts.  Alec converted. (21-12)

With 5 minutes to half-time, SMOB stepped up the pace and with Ben CH (normally our No.8) playing at Full Back, he was able to enter the line and break some tackles to score.  The conversion slid by the outside of the posts to make the half-time score 26-12.

Second Half: SMOB 33 - 0 Dursley (5T, 4T vs nil)

Dursley kicked off the second half with both sides having made a few changes.  SMOB playing with the wind, started to run the ball from all quarters and with good support play, they were able to make good progress down the pitch.
With 6 minutes gone, Ben CH came into the line and powered his way through the cover tackles to score under the posts - Alec converted (33-12).

Dursley didn't let their heads drop and kept applying pressure making some good runs of their own.  SMOB seemed to get a second wind and superior support play and recyclying of the ball provided plenty of attacking opportunities.  With 10 minutes gone, Alec and Tom B worked some good running lines and released George in midfield in plenty of space to run through to score his 3rd try.  Alec converted. (40-12)

SMOB smelt blood and kept piling the pressure on and George again benefitted from some good forward drives and quick ball to score. The conversion was missed from wide on the right. (45-12)

SMOB weren't finished and on 21 minutes, Ben CH again proved unstopable and powered his way to the line for his 3rd try.  Alec converted. (52-12).

To round the game off, the forwards playing like backs interchanged the ball through several sets of hands to see Josh burst through to score close to the posts.  Alec converted to make the final score 59-12.

One of the Dursley players took a few knocks (knee and elbow) as he tried to stop the last try but looked to have recovered shortly after.

A game played in great spirit by both teams as they gave their all.

Great to referee and watch. Well done both teams.

Coaches ACHIEVEMENT Awards:
Forwards: BEN P - Captain for the day and a step up in his level of play around the field - some good runs and support.
Backs: BEN CH - A chance to stretch his legs at Full Back saw some straight and aggressive running.

Well done guys.

TRAINING - Wed 9/Apr @SMOB @6:45pm
Please let SIMON or Ade know if you can't attend.

Cheers,
Andy, Ade, Simon, Mike & Jerry  

30/Mar/2008 - SMOB vs Mumbles RFC

We entertained Mumbles RFC on their Tour - thanks to John House and his squad for stopping off on their way back home - we hope they enjoyed themselves.

SMOB 7 - 17 Mumbles (1T, 1C vs 3T, 1C)

Some adventurous rugby played on a very wet & muddy pitch.
Congratulations to Mumbles and SMOB u13's on the style of rugby that both sides tried to play on a sodden pitch.

First Half: SMOB 0 - 7 Mumbles (nil vs 1T, 1C)

A closely fought half, with Mumbles forwards providing the go-forward, giving them the advantage.  SMOB kept Mumbles at bay for 10 minutes before Mumbles superior forward play generated the space for a try.  SMOB regrouped and both sides cancelled each other out on an energy sapping pitch.

Second Half: SMOB 7 - 10 Mumbles (1T, 1C vs 2T)

Mumbles restarted and SMOB were more energentic in their ball carrying and support play.  From one penalty on our 22, Alex W tapped and started a move down the right which Ben CH finished off from about the Mumbles 10-metre line, breaking a few tackles on the way.  Alec converted.

SMOB enjoyed superiority for a few more minutes with Conor and Ben CH to fore, ably supported by the backs. Unfortunately we were unable to convert the good play into points and Mumbles came back, scoring two more tries before time was blown.

Well done to both sides for the effort they put in and they style of rugby they tried to play.

Thanks to all of you for your calls & texts re Graeme - X-Rays didn't show anything out of place, so it's only bruising, thankfully!
Thanks to Frenchay A&E and 999-Ambulance service - can you please return all the mud to the club for relaying on the pitch!

We hear there are some even muddier pictures of the after-match puddle floppers - please send to Andy so that we can show and shame!

Coaches ACHIEVEMENT Awards:
Forwards: BEN CH - Got everywhere on the pitch in Attack and Defence.
Other notable mentions to Conor, Kieran & Alex W.
Backs: ALEX B - Some great work in Attack and Defence.
Other notable mentions to James S and Ellis.

Well done guys.

 

Cheers,
Andy, Ade, Simon, Mike & Jerry