COACHES WRITE UP ON LAST YEARS SEASON (2007-2008)  

 

I thought that it would be hard to improve on last year but with the commitment of the players, coaches and parents alike we certainly have. The squad had remained at about 24 strong all year with some

comings and goings. Daniel Hesketh and Kyren Coulls have had to  leave due to age and Kieran Richards, Jordan Wallis and Jack Dukes all decided to call it a day. New players to arrive were Kieran Pooley

(hooker), Dominic Ffitch (lock), Drew Cochran (lock), Felix Roebuck (prop) and Macaulley Jordan (wing). The jump to 13 a side was a good move for us this season and the final jump to 15 a side next season will

only make us better. One of my main concerns this season was that we were unable to play all our players every week. I do feel however, that all players have played the majority of the games. Unfortunately, many

of our opponents are not as blessed with the large squad numbers that we have and therefore on most occasions we have only been able to play one game. On the occasions that we have been able to play two games the ‘development’ squad has proved to be very stern opposition for any team. It has been very difficult for me and the other coaches to pick the ‘strongest team’ with every one stepping up to the plate. The arrival of Dale ‘Jumper’ Collins, as an additional three-quarters coach has shown massive improvements in their play. His enthusiasm for youth rugby is second to none and I am very pleased that he is onboard. He has settled into our coaching staff very well. The season started off extremely well with a resounding victory away to Camborne which set us up for our next test against last seasons Cornish champions Truro, at home. This was a very well matched game at such an early point in the season when both teams came away with a well deserved draw. From this point onwards we went from strength to strength taking victories from strong opposition, such as Liskeard and Looe, Redruth and Wadebridge. A second game against Truro was to show the massive improvements that we have gained through the season when we came away with a 28 points to nil victory. To ‘nil’ the champions was a fantastic achievement however our 42 month unbeaten home record was taken away from us by a very talented, touring Welsh side Aberdare who beat us by 17 points to 10. As I have said the three-quarters have improved beyond belief this season and Dale will talk about this in more detail later. As for the forwards, well with the assistance of the other coaches I have been able to focus more on their play. Our scrum has been excellent with the front row of Sam Kruse, Aiden Spargo and Gus Teakle, a match for any team. Rob Sara has deputised at loose head as well as tight head and has steadily improved through the season. He is now knocking on the door for a starting place. We are blessed at lock forward with Adam Hughes, Tom Collinson, Jordan Hand and Ryan Churcher all vying for a first team start. Ryan has excelled in the line out where he used his size to great effect and has become a guaranteed source of ball. Jack Gledowe has secured the number 8 position this season by putting in some terrific performances. The additions to the forwards have been Dominic Ffitch, Drew Cochran, Felix Roebuck and Kieran Pooley who have all shown great promise for the forthcoming seasons. Kieran will be remembered for a huge tackle that he put in on the Redruth winger and Drew put in such a great debut performance against Redruth that he scored a try in his very first game. Felix is still learning the dark arts for front row play and is a great prospect for next season. So that’s it, the end of your mini rugby years. As from next season you will officially be junior rugby players, playing 15 a side on a full size pitch.

 

John Dukes

 

Having coached at Helston Rugby Club for a couple of seasons Jamie and I had a tough decision to make 12 months ago, when John invited Jamie to play his rugby at Penryn. Loyalty is often forgotten about in today's modern sporting environment and our decision to join was based solely on improving his all round rugby skills. I had always been impressed by Penryn's approach to the game and my admiration for the set up here has only increased. John also invited me to participate in coaching the backs and I have enjoyed this immensely. The commitment by the players and the desire to improve their individual and team skills is worthy of admiration. Any team in the County would be proud to have a set of backs that I have had to work with. I am sure the parents of these players have enjoyed, as much as I have, watching their son's all round ability and understanding of the game improve steadily. It’s true to say that we have a very good range of ability, incorporating the running power of players such as Kyle Laycock and Robbie Frost, the silky skills of Rory Christopher and Jamie Collins and the tremendous running ability, with ball in hand, of Aaron Nancholas, Bradley Aimable and Jack Hesketh. The backs must be able to tackle and show a good sense of being able to switch from attack to defence at a moments notice. I have no doubt we have one of the best tacklers in the County in Michael Heazelton, he impresses me every Friday and Sunday with his courage and strength. The strength of the Penryn backs though lies in its strength in depth and we have a number of players who can step into the breach in a number of positions. Barney Rangecroft has shown great ability at scrum half, Alex Polglase and Samuel Slydel in the centres and on the wing. Macaulley Jordan always impresses when given the chance and towards the end of the season Dominic Ffitch made the switch from the forwards to the backs and has shown great potential for the future in the centre.

Rugby is a game to be enjoyed and I have been most impressed by the teams ability to have fun, even on those cold, wet and windy days. It is certainly paying off and the skills they are learning today will stand them in good stead for the future, not only on the pitch but in life as well. We certainly have the potential to beat anybody and I am certain we will go from strength to strength as we step into Junior rugby next season.

 

Dale Collins

 

 

2009-2010 Squad