London Origin – A Chalice of Destiny awaits the U13s “Northern” Horde

The expectancy was rewarded; the Blues of the “Northern” Horde would arrive, the training session delayed due to unforeseen circumstances beyond Nordic control. However, we would inspire, we would lead and we would unleash a Rugby League timebomb of suntanning proportions on the Green fields of Brentwood for Training Day 2.

The Tetlow and Quill roadshow rocked up to CM15 looking to improve on the previous week’s victory and how to keep this group of talent on their uppers. This would be no mean feat, but with a little coaching belief and a soupson of Scandinavian faith we would take the boys on the next part of their journey of League discovery.

For the evening before there was possibly one of the biggest Rugby match-ups of the season having been played out, yep, you’ve guessed it St Helens and Wigan, the ultimate Rugby derby!!

The Viking always takes inspiration from his beloved Redvee and would leave nothing to chance. The session would be delivered under a clear blue sky and lush green fields. The lads were dazzled by the light but were prepared to lay down for their pals and give it their all and in the meantime left no stone unturned in their search for Origin glory.

Our minds and focus would now turn to the day in hand. Another journey down south to test the very fabric of one and alls being. Questions would need to be answered,

How would the boys react to another long journey?

How would the late kick off affect their preparation?

Could the Viking lead his troops to unabated and victorious glory?? For we would see over the coming 50 minutes of heart wrenching, heart pacing, nervous tension laced Rugby.

The warm up may have been a little early, but the pre-game huddle would prepare the mind, the body and the “Northern” soul. For these lads are no ordinary lads, they are prepared to back their pals in any given situation no matter what it takes. The team was prepped and ready to roar. The pitch set. The first whistle would blow, it was GAMETIME!!!!

The boys exploded out of the blocks on a mission to destroy all that would attempt to deny them their glories. A great start would see us complete the first set and unleash the pressure of mass onto the oncoming attackers. Each runner was met with a huge boom back, time and again, boom!! We had them and were turning them around. The lads were playing rugby as the Viking and Tetlow had intended, power plays and subtlety of hands. The teamwork in support was of enormous proportions as we began to take control. The spirit within the team was everywhere, the subs bench, the stand and in the mind of the Coach watching, anticipating, salivating at the prospect of the first score and it wouldn’t take long as we began to press home our advantage. The forward power was immense; the backs distribution was crisp and the try all the better.

The boys have been setting improving standards week in and week out and this was another step up. By the time we had two scores on the board the South could barely draw breath. Camped inside our 10m line they thought this would be their golden opportunity. I think not, for these boys would defend with their last breath and did they did together. Twelve tackles on our goal line, no way through, “Northern” Horde bodies throwing themselves in to stop the attack, wave after wave would see us gain the ball back to the roar of the watching crowd and the bench. After some changes the team played an even more expansive game and really began to look the business.

The South couldn’t catch a break as we unleashed wave after wave of attack making positive yardage at will. As the half time hooter blew the boys sprinted into the huddle. The game was not won yet, the mood in the huddle was as expected, and the boys led the chorus of how to improve for the second half.

This is why the Greatest game is always a game of two halves. With the sun beating a path to our door and the bodies gasping we couldn’t make inroads and allowed the home side to gain the upper hand as they made metres forward. The tackles being made were non-stop body-sapping and our boys play with such passion that the adrenaline was beginning to run out. Some more great defence kept the South out once again but they managed to pierce a gap. Once more we would unleash but just couldn’t close out the piece and once again the home team pulled another back. The final minutes of an enthralling Origin matchup were now upon us!!

The heart was pounding, the final talk was dealt, how would it play out? The Viking strode to the halfway line and about turned to see the team had made their decision and the right one. For the kickoff was a grubber the forward pounced and we had the ball. Or did we??

Scrum down to the South; this was it for the Blues of the “Northern” Horde. The last stand was here. The play the ball, the pass, the defensive line speed unleashed all of the might and rugby nous to cancel out the potential threat. The final whistle blew, the smiles covered the pitch, the roar heard around Historic Medway for we had come, we had seen and we were victorious!!

This is a special group of young men, they play a game I love to the max with pure enjoyment running through every sinew of their makeup, and they want to be part of this great experience. They are respectful and polite and show me the perfect attitude in which to play this the Greatest game.

Until next time my beloved readers, viewers and inspirees I give you my boys of the “Northern” Horde!!

I will leave you with a taste of the mood in the camp post game as it left me feeling . . .

http://tinyurl.com/p3st9bx       

These lads have taken me, as their Coach, to a new plateau of coaching enjoyment and experience. I am proud to be part of their Origin journey and their Head Coach and they are truly a credit to you as parents for they have taken the tools we have given to them and are setting incredible standards of Viking Proportions of Scandinavian Sensationalism and I for one and truly humbled by it.

Yours in the Greatest form of the Oval ball as presented by the Boys from the Blues of the “Northern Horde!!!

The Season Ending U12s Festivale au Rugby League @LondonSkolarsRL #VikingRugby #SouthernHeartlandRL

The U12s Festival of Rugby Departation at the Home of the Black Red n Green. The swansong of the boys from N22 as they would say goodbye to Minis Rugby League and would look forward to locking horns with our adversaries of today, Eastern Rhinos/Centurions, Brentwood Eels, Invicta Sharks/Surrey Panthers and our nearest and dearest Hemel Stags.

Four mouth-watering matchups of purist Rugby League enormity. The emphasis from minute one was to go out, have fun and playing this, THE Greatest game as some say God’s game!!

The pitches had been ably coned by myself and Coach Sclater, the water bottles prepared and awaiting hydrationary requests. The team arriving en masse ready to deliver for the watching public a festival of the Finest Rugby League seen North of Blackfriars for the first time ever.

The team were prepped, the coaches salivating; the referees whistled, ready for it was GAMETIME!!!!!

The festival would begin and the first minutes of the matchup against Eastern Rhinos would be our warm up. An opening salvo would see our visitors take an early lead but as we upped the intensity our game play began to flow and we were putting some great passing plays into action. All of sudden we were playing rugby as previously envisioned. We were bulldozing on the front foot, hooker play was unleashing quick ball and we were exploiting the space. The support runners were on fire and we were completing sets and kicking well. However, as we took time off the clock and scored unfortunately the opposition had other ideas and pounced on a mistake and offloaded to their big lads and pummelled through to score and hold the lead. A great beginning to our Festival.

Our second matchup would be against our very nearest and dearest local, well if you call 25 miles local, Hemel Stags, and an 11-a-side encounter that would test the very fabric of our defence whilst potentially unleashing our speeding beast. We would see!!

The passion and commitment was in full effect, the Blue n Gold of the Stags against the Black Red n Green of N22. Big hits, great passing and great rugby on show for the adoring populous. Again, our hooker play came into its own as we worked the ball through the hands to open the gaps and then send our Pack through like a JCB Bulldozer.

A great return to action, nonstop passing and tackling by both teams setting the early standards. The boys began to play some good team plays but were held up again and again by a feisty but committed Stags defence, eventually both teams would score. As the game was halfway through Skolars found a way through with some strong play by the pack but again the Stags came back almost immediately. With the last minute now upon us, some great defence turned the ball over and from the next play the ball our Hooker stepped to his right and dummied the oncoming defenders and opened up a huge hole that he sped into and ably supported by his scrum half outpaced the chasing pack to seal the win!!

A great score in another fantastic game of Rugby league. Two games down and the atmosphere on the sidelines was bouncing, all the coaches mingling and chatting, parents wandering and getting to know the opposition. The true spirit of Rugby League playing out on the sidelines of the U12s Inspired by the Viking!!

Little did we know after the first two match ups that we would have a free flowing score fest as we would be taking on the newly formed Invicta Sharks Surrey Panthers or was that the Surrey Panthers Invicta Sharks, either way those guys put in their best performance of the morning to outscore the hosts 7 tries to 5 in what was a non stop attacking display of bravado and guts. We would open the score with a sweetly timed cross field St Helens Sean long kick from the boot of our Stand off and was graciously received by our goose stepping Centre for the touchdown. This is how the game would go. We would score, they would score but unfortunately we allowed the visitors a double team to unleash one too many beasts and gain the upper hand. Nevertheless the never say die attitude of my lads knows no bounds and they took it to the max trying every type of chase n chip, kick pressure, goal line power but just couldn’t squeeze over.

An awesome sight for the viewing masses who had travelled far and wide to behold such a Rugby spectacle!!

Onto the final game of the morning for the Boys of N22 against our League Rivals and Brentwood Eels. This would prove to be our best performance of the morning as all of the lessons from the previous triple bill of extollationary pride would be displayed and more. Both teams would leave 2015 in the past for the final 15 minutes of the season. No stone would be left unturned, unabated, undelivered. For this would be the mouthwatering, neigh, salivating journey of Rugby League to ponder.

From the very first play we coughed the ball up like a kitten with a furball. Our attitude though delivered some massive defensive plays and from that we began to move the ball as asked for by the Viking and Sclater. The boys worked it wide with inch high private eye precision. The hooker was passing the ball quicker and crispier than a Ryvita and the forwards were moving onto the ball at pace and making even more metres than an articulated roll. And then it happened, some great hands and support would allow our pack to gain the upper hand and with some speed onto the ball found a mismatch in the defensive and pile drove over the line for the opening score. What a start!!

Brentwood are never one to turn over and they came back with their own version of tough offence but the Black Red n Green were wise to it. Every player was prepared to lay their body on the line for the final victory. One in all in on defence, one goes, we all go in attack. There we were once more turning the ball over; some more great play at Hooker would work the ball to our standoff who found our rampaging forwards ever more powerful running than earlier. With another quick play the ball found its way to our centres to make more metres and then CRASH!! The forwards were in again!!

By now our pack was feeling the workload and the backs began to make inroads, some great work again at Hooker manufactured a gap that only he could run through but with a great tackle closed the door. Not to be outdone our hooker redeemed himself and squared the deal. From the ensuing play our winger found himself free but alas a high tackle would give us a penalty just on the halfway line. From here was possibly our best play of the entire festival, when after working the ball though seven pairs of hands our young winger popped up in the opposite corner for the game winning score, pure Rugby of a Sensationalistic Scandinavian Nation, who could ask for more, who would dare.

What a way to end the season, go out and enjoy your rugby and the results will be delivered and they most certainly were. As the Dave Clark 5 once said, I’m Glad all over as were the other eight coaches and forty children.

An awesome show of rugby skills by the U12s and as Head Coach I cannot wait to develop these lads into Champions and even more respectable young men with a passion and commitment to give it 110% for themselves and their friends.

Today would not have been possible without the help of John, Joel, Kaylum of Skolars and Mike from Hemel and Stuart who kindly refereed all the games. Made me nervous digging out the whistle!!

A great advert for Rugby League and as I always say Nobody Does it better!!! The Future is Black, the Future is Red, the Future is Green, the destination is N22. Skolars Rugby League!!

The Inaugural Viking Rugby Tag Challenge Summer 2015 @ChingfordRFC #VikingRugby

The dawn broke, the Viking awoke, a date with destiny laid in wait at the Hallowed Fields of Ching. For this would be the day when a Dream that became a Vision became the Ultimate reality. For today would see the very first Tag Rugby Challenge held at the home of Rugby in E4, Chingford RFC.

Being in an Awe inspired mood the Viking would test the very fabric of his being. The cones were now laid out with proper in-goal areas, tag belts all arranged and two pitches of pure Nordic quality awaiting the arrival of the New Generation of Rugby Player from the schools from whence I coach.

We would have Representatives from Years 3 & 4 alongside Years 5 & 6 from Yardley Lane & Mission Grove Primary.

Upon arrival the sun would break through the clouds and blaze a trail of brightness that would light up 250 metres of lush greenery. The most perfect rugby sight on a gloriously sunny day, the Fields of Dreams, a vision to behold.

With help from young Coach Bobbie, we would gather our young warriors and introduce them to the Wonderful World of Viking rugby. For this morning would not just be about winning but having loads of fun learning new skills whilst at the same time matching up with another school.

There is no Rugby played between Primary Schools at this time in our Great Borough and I, the Viking of Extraordinary Suntanning proportions, am looking to change the Sporting landscape, and thanks to the schools that attended today’s Tag Challenge we have taken the first small step on the path to Future Rugby Glory!

In order to prepare our young players I would be required to deliver a Coaching session of intensity that would test all of their Rugby know how and stretch their very make-up. How would they respond? I will tell you! Their skills in passing and catching blew me away. This was awesome stuff to watch, every one of them watching the ball into the hands, soft passes aimed at their friends hands and awaiting the next. When working up and down the course in pairs there was no let up, it was warm just watching but the heat didn’t faze any one of our young legends as they got stuck into every challenge laid before them.

By the time we approached some Two versus One and a refresh of Game rules they were ready for a quick matchup. School on school Rugby netball. This would show the watching masses if they could put it all together under pressure.

The pitches set, they began and with some fantastic passing and support set the standard for the three thirds of Match Tag Rugby we had in store.

After a well earned energy replenishment and hydration break the teams would assemble and under the Guidance of the Coaching team listened intently for what was about to behold. For now the time was upon us and to the Victor would go the spoils.

The match would be divided into three equal parts and the first whistle signalled the beginning of what would go down in Waltham Forest Rugby Folklore for the Tag challenge had begun.

Two pitches on the go at the same time, both showing the standards already set from early in the session. All four teams making some great passes and catches. The support play and defensive discipline was a joy to watch.

Both games did not show a clear winner after the first third. All teams giving it their all and playing just the way the Viking likes it with smiles on their faces as wide as the Ching!! By the end of the second third all four teams had scored some great tries, some with outstanding pace, others with some great hands and teamwork.

We would now arrive in the final third of our games with all still to play for. For who would know that the last third would produce the best rugby of the morning. More tags than a Next sale, more passes than TFL and still there was no way through. The games would go right down to the wire, so much so that the older ages could only be separated by extra time. The youngsters found a way to give the watching populous exactly what they had come to watch, The Greatest game and would not be disappointed by the result. The winner . . . Rugby, who . . . VIKING RUGBY!!!

So, all that leaves me to say is many thanks to the schools who made today such a special day for myself as I have dreamed of having my own rugby tournament and thanks to you a dream became the reality and the end result showed just how much fun we all had.

As I sit here now pondering the mornings fun, albeit a little jaded I can’t wait to get another one up and running and build momentum into the next School year and look to have the schools where the Viking coaches dominate the Rugby horizon not only in Waltham Forest but London too!!

So, without further ado and as Carly Simon once sang, “Nobody Does it better”, I bid you Good evening and will look forward to seeing you all very soon.

The Return to Training Summer Sessions Pt 4 @ChingfordRFC and @LondonSkolarsRL

As the song goes . . . it was a clear Blue day, a clear Black night and with a hint of Viking white would embrace the Tricolore of the Ching, for once more it was training day at the Hallowed Fields.

A glorious day, lush green grass covering 250 metres of Waltham Way turf for the Evolving Vikings of Ching to get stuck into. So warm in fact that the Viking himself de-jerseyed and went all Saints Vestathon for the morning. Time to show those Guns, purist white, nothing ever this pale has been previously witnessed.

It was always going to be a big ask of the boys today, the harder they worked, the more effort given, the higher the mercury rose. Once the numbers had arrived on the stroke of ten we would begin with some tough footwork that would challenge the very being of our young Warriors, not your everyday sort of thing, but certainly more of the same when we return next week. This would lead into some great hands, short and pacy with a return of wide and deep, working through the basics as the sun would bring the rays and lead the way to our Glorious destiny and the infamous two versus one, then two versus one versus one.

By the time we visited with the tackle bags and shields the pace of the session and the heat received from the sunshine was beginning to take an early toll on the boys. As we approached the final two minute drill it was obvious that they had reached their peak, but this game is about going beyond ones limits in the finals seconds of any given game on any given Saturday or Sunday and they would leave every last effort, muscle, sinew and fibre on the Hallowed Fields as we would depart for home having reached our plateau of virtue.

After some pure Viking feasting at the table of Odin, it was time for a quick change and then off to Fortress Skolar to watch the Black Red n Green First XIII take on Coventry Bears in N22.

Once again Tottenham never looked so good with the sunshine bathing the entire New River Experience in Glorious rays, so much so that even I, possibly, the whitest Male on God’s Green earth would pick up some additional redness pre-during and post game this afternoon, only time would tell.

Having been overwhelmed by the number of players I was able to coach the previous day I didn’t have as many to lead the Guard of Honour, no matter, the boys that were present did themselves and their coaches proud as they wore the Black Red n Green with class and distinction.

Unfortunately for the watching masses the on-field performance was the opposite of the weather and didn’t bode well after some early scores from our visitors. Fortress Skolar did not produce the required decibels to enforce such a place but we will and in the future this place will be the most welcoming for the fan and the most unwelcoming for visiting players as a cacophony of sound will precede them crossing the whitewash as the fans and players alike unleash the Beast of the Skolars. We will let you have this one win on account Bears of Coventry, as you are new to our game and City enjoy your victory for now but whence we meet again we will not be so generous.

On the way home the news came through that our neighbours at the Broncos had topped Table topping Leigh Centurions. This is why I love this game!!

In the coming month there is a feast of Rugby League so please do your best to embrace, learn, love and spread the Word of Nordic scribe as I look to inspire from within the Southern Heartland the message that our Game is on the up and coming your way, don’t just wait for it, get out there and support it.

The action gets underway this Wednesday evening at the home of the Skolars U12s as we take on the Centurions of Ancient Briton, then the combined strength of the 12s and 13s led by the Coaching Combo of Fraine, Kelly, McNeil and the Ever Tanning Viking will invade Essex to take on the Might of the Eels of Brentwood, time to correct some wrongs. This is only the Beginning of a HUGE month of Rugby league on your doorstep, so get yourself out and down to the New River Experience and the Awe inspiring Viking as I take us on a journey of Rugby League discovery in the coming weeks and months culminating in the ultimate date with destiny post season.

Therefore, on that sentence of triumph I will leave you now to enjoy what is left of your evening as I relax and build my minds eye for another chapter in the wonderful world of the All tanning, all scribing Scandinavian sensation that is and will always be the Viking.

Good day to one and all.