The 2016 Journey of the #BlackRednGreen @LondonSkolarsRL U13s of N22 begins . . .

A Damp, grey morning would greet us as we approached the home of Rugby League in N22. This would not deter the enthusiasm brought by the Viking et al. For this day had finally arrived and I was ready to unleash the proverbial Coaching Beast to full effect!!

In attendance and giving his commitment to the cause of the U12s/13s horde would be young Donny, a great player from our U17s/19s now giving something back to the younger generation.

A session of Inspiration would ensue, as always, the session was pre-prepped by the scribing hand of the Nordic and would be timed to perfection. Nothing but fun, hands, skills and then some.

The key to this morning was to unleash the smiles and introduce how much fun it is to pass, catch and kick the ball with your new found friends who will be part of your journey of Rugby League discovery over the coming years.

The cones were set, the session discussed, the arrival imminent and we were away. Simple warm ups, plenty of hands, plenty of try scoring, plenty of play the ball.

Starlo, you would have been proud, the hands were top drawer, one step pop along the line at pace, leading the receiver to his ultimate destiny of the catch ‘n’ pass, heavenly to view from the side!!

By the time we hit the ol’ classics of Rugby netball and basketball the boys had made 12 passes and covered 40metres and scored twice, imagine this on a full pitch, one side to the other, holes galore in a defence just waiting for us to hit the gaps!!

Once into 2 vs. 1, some more deep passing would lead into the promised land of 3 vs. 2, the like of which was standard setting at every turn. There would be no let up on this the new dawn of Rugby League in 2016. This morning would raise the bar.

Into our grubber kicking and high bombs led us nicely into the penultimate psalm of a scribing inspired morning of fun and Overload touch, end to end team work, side to side hands, and huge grins lighting up the grey skies!!

The final part of the fun would be a team 2 minute drill with coaches included, down ‘n’ ups along the way, encouragement across all lines, not once but twice. Nothing was left in the tank all was left on Perth Road for this was the return of the Black Red ‘n’ Green.

What a beginning, what an opportunity, what a group of children, all willing, all listening, all Skolars!!

I thank you and bid you Good day for these are the Ever Scribing words of the Awe Inspiring Tanning Sensation of the Icelandic, neigh, Scandinavian Nation in N22!!

The Strictly Training Penultimate Psalm of @LondonSkolarsRL U12s/13s #VikingRugby #SouthernHeartlandRL

Calmness Personified at the Homestead of Rugby League in the Southern Heartland!!

I will attempt to set the scene for one and all. A fine blue sky, not a cloud piercing the view of N22 in its finest hour, a cooling breeze would blow west south westerly and the not so lush ground would await the arrival of this morning’s boys of the Black Red n Green.

With the summer holidays beginning to take hold and the season nearing completion I thought less touch and more activities to push the boys to their max and see how well they could cope as I upped the intensity of previous sessions. So with cones in hand and a mood matching that of Leonardo Da Vinci pre-Mona Lisa, I would set up several different areas with many colours of cones that alongside Rover and the Great Wall of China would be seen from the International Space station.

The normal arrival turns into a kick-a-thon which benefits nobody and drives me around the proverbial bend. As each member of the team arrived I set about passing the ball in a circle with three of them and as the numbers increased, before the start time I might add, got them to join in, increased the number of balls to challenge the boy’s communication and eye skills. Nice and simple to begin, encouraging looking in both directions, chatting, hands up, this would get the hands and comms going as then our start time hit the alarm and the session would begin and not one of them missed or mentioned kicking!!

With the sun getting warmer by the minute the lads got stuck into the first part of the session, Walking touch. This would encourage more movement towards the ball as it’s something we don’t seem to do at speed whilst at the same time looking to draw the defender and pass early so as to stretch the defence crossfield. All of sudden the passers came to the fore and the team work really shone through. The quick hands I dream of daily was taking effect, both teams working the ball nicely to the edges, calling for the ball, hands up, AWESOME stuff!!

After a quick hydration break we then moved into the 10 passes game. As we had odd numbers I would step into the breach and we broke into three groups, 2 groups of 2v2 and 1 group of 3v3. This really worked the boy’s inner sanctum of oxygen, footwork, communication and hands. You could hear the heavy breathing which goes to show how, even in a small space of 10by 8yards pushes the body to its limits. No overhead passing here just rugby passing, movement, support and communication!

A further slurp of Agua Purificada and into the passing line racing which really challenged the boys, 13 cones set up from the 10 out to the 40 metre yard line each with different spacing’s. Moving the ball to each cone and running to the next available cone and await the pass. Some confusion but plenty of smiles en route to the end. This led us into a Rugby basketball, again no overhead passing only back, forward and sideward’s. If you get touched turnover!! Again the teamwork would be on show here as this game requires plenty of communication and support.

Just when you thought there wouldn’t be anymore time I unleashed the Embed the Pathway Play the ball race, but first got the lads to demonstrate the Back/Forward and side protective falling before splitting them into three teams. Decent play the balls too. A lot of effort in these races, 200+ metres before a break, down and up then a play the ball. No need for beasting sprints when you can do these a few times. Great effort and teamwork!!

The journey to the very depths of maximum effort and sinew breakage we would finish on 18 tackles of defensive mapping which tested the very fabric of their being, their teamwork would also be tested to the limit out and back, nearly 400 metres covered in a couple of minutes. Non-stop power and belief. The true signs of Vikings in waiting, of the commitment and passion required to be part of the Black Red n Green Phenomenon sweeping not just N22 but E4 and beyond.

The Penultimate trainer of a massively enjoyable years Rugby League in N22. By the time we approached the final game of touch the boys efforts had been well and truly Max’d out.

Therefore on that note I thank you for your time and dedication to the cause. I will return for the final trainer this week before the U12s embark on their Farewell Festival of Rugby next weekend.

I bid you Good afternoon and evening as I sit back, relax and watch the Dragons de Les Cats take on Hector’s favourite Giant Eorl and the rest of Huddersfield.

You are the loyal and committed viewers and  I am the Inspirational and Suntanning Viking Sensation of the New Scandinavian Nation!!   

SKOLARIONS, The Psalm of N22 Effort Extraordinaire @LondonSkolarsRL @LondonRL

Without a doubt the Black Red n Green of the U12s/13s delivered what can only be described as our best performance of the season. Each week we, the Coaching Quad of Enormity, have been looking for weekly improvements and for the last 6-8 weeks the boys have come out and outshone the sunshine blazing a trail across Perth Road. Their gutsy effort in defeat showed us and the watching populous just how far they have come in a short space of time.

At this age I can’t emphasise how short a time our group have been together compared to the majority of our opponents. The numbers that arrived at the home of Rugby league in N22 was enormous. This is what makes me, as Head Coach extremely proud, so much so that not only do the boys believe in what I am coaching into them but so too you the parents have bought into the philosophy of the All Inspiring Viking. Twenty two players arrived all willing to give their all and be a part of the TEAM. These boys of ours are slowly gelling together and believing in one another that their team play is putting the wind up our opponent’s week in and week out.

We are all part of something very special here at the Headquarters of the Black Red n Green, the Coaching community at N22 is extremely close knit and without doubt the Northern connection has a massive amount to do with this. Throw in a North West Londoner and dreams begin to become realities!!

From the first whistle to the last every lad gave it their all. They left every last effort and sinew out on the lush grass of Perth Road. The rest of the team supported them in every other way. Every last one of the team contributed today in what was a very special morning’s rugby. We may not have been victorious but the spirit from within is building bonds that will last forever.

The First teamers winced at some of the big hits, amazed at the footwork and flight of foot across the grass as we attacked. In defence we were making 2/3 man tackles. In attack we created, time and again, overlap after overlap. An awesome display against one of the best at our age. We are on the road to redemption and will surely get another chance to take on either the Centurions or Eels.

This week was always the Big one!! After some great games the last few weeks we knew we had a great opportunity. We were out of the blocks like Usain on Speed, and caused the Centurions to make mistake after mistake to the point where we would grab the first score. Just as the heads remained in the clouds a quick reply ensued to level it up and then it was game on!!

With the sun beating a path to the door of Southern Heartland Rugby League we would have plenty of hydration breaks to keep the guys ready for pillaging and boy did they require some liquid sustenance. I said this game would go the distance and the rugby on display would prove me right. St Albans attacked, we defended like a Viking horde, we attacked they defended like Beasts. The hitting and passing was top drawer. The support for both teams was outstandingly superb and the boys kept going through adversity towards the promised chalice of victory.

Come the 2^nd half both teams were feeling the heat, our discipline was amazing in the face of an onslaught. After some great defensive work, we turned defence into attack and when Liam went in the corner for a terrific team try. It was game on but unfortunately not this time!!

As the final whistle blew both teams sunk to their knees and applauded each other after THE titanic arm wrestle that is Southern Heartland Rugby league. All 40+ lads left their all on the field today and stood tall and showed exactly what Rugby league in London has to offer. The watching masses applauded them off and cheered as we settled in for the final photo shoot of the morning and a quick chat.

The right attitude was out there this morning in the searing Saharan heat in N22. The bonds of friendship strengthening for now it was time to suck back those bottles of Agua Purificada, get those feet up and relax in the knowledge that you had just made your Coach feel extremely proud and hugely excited at the prospect of our next training session and matchup.

The future is Bright my friends, the future is Black . . . Red . . . n . . . Green, the Future is London Skolars Rugby League!!

I bid you Good afternoon as I sit back relax and watch the other Centurions take on the Wolves of Warrington whilst applying lightly some E45 cream to my Girthish shoulders that may have reddened after showing of the Guns of Scandinavia this morning.

I will look forward to seeing you all once again come Wednesday!!

These are the Eternal Scribings of an inspirational Viking garnering the Family spirit from within as we Pillage on our Road to Ultimate Rugby Glory.

I am the Sensation of the Scandinavian Nation, you are the Believers in the Nordic Family and together we are the Skolars of London!!

Positive Extollations of the Black Red n Green of @LondonSkolarsRL U12/13s #SouthernHeartlandRugbyLeague

SKOLARTANS 2015, two equally strong teams matching up on the lush surroundings of Westcliff RFC on a perfect Saturday morning for the Greatest game of Rugby Football League in SS2.

The post game debate from last weekend was but a distant memory. The Boys from N22 had outperformed their opponents but had been denied. The heads could be held high in the knowledge that we had just pushed one of the best teams to their limit at this age. This would lead us into a midweek Battle of U12s Brutality and Beauty as we travelled to the Fortress of the St Albans Centurions.

Yet another Great turnout from the Black Red n Green upon arrival at Drakes Drive, after a 90 minute journey of 5mph the Viking would arrive upon his Chariot of Destiny and after a tour of the Schools grounds finally made it to the game albeit a little unhinged. Not a countryside Gent just yet!!

Arranging, arriving and playing these midweek games is a massive ask at any age let alone U12s but these Skolarions matchups have given all of the younger lads a great opportunity to really get stuck in and the Coaching Combo Of the Viking and McNeil couldn’t have been prouder as the boys really unleashed the Black Red n Green east and played some great rugby.

Controversy will always be around the corner in any sport but it did not detract from the great spectacle both teams would display in front of a roaring populous. Some great tries scored by both teams, some great defence on show too but, and as agreed by the coaching team, our final try would be the Phil Clarke pick of the Day as the Boys from N22 worked the ball upfield, to then work it through the hands for young Owen to dive in the corner for the perfect team try.

Rugby league played in the Vision of the McNeil and Viking, the perfect evening aperitif!!

Two games down and the mouth-watering Saturday U13s matchup would await us at Westcliff RFC where the Spartans of Southend would be in wait for the Momentum building Skolars of N22, a Game not to be missed!!

The entire team had arrived en masse and before time. A great start for the coaching team. This would allow us to get those all important hands warmed up and into a jogging pace game of touch stretching the skill set so early would set the mind for what was to come.

Having done the homework on our opponents this was always going to be an ultra competitive matchup and from the off neither team would disappoint. We would take the early initiative but couldn’t quite open up the Can of Whoopass we were looking for.

The hosts would unleash their many beasts and our Goal line defence was so tough we repelled them at every turn then we caught a break. After being held to our set of 6 still in our own half, they blocked our clearing kick only for it to be caught by our halfback who pounced and locked it up. This would give us a second opportunity for redemption and it didn’t take long before our forwards unleashed their electrifying power and speed and burst through for the first of our scores.

This set us on our way, some more amazing defence would see us once again hold firm and unleash the Freight trains, again we found the speed and the space and would bury a second try, a carbon copy run of the first. The boys were right up for it now and were beginning to get into their stride only for some lacklustre defending before the halftime hooter would allow their big runners to work the ball into space and dive in at the corner. What a first half!!

The Referee would come over and complement us and a few Coaching adjustments would give the boys a new lease of purpose for the last 25 minutes. From the kick-off we looked quicker on attack, our forwards making even more metres, our backs passing the ball a little crisper. As we would gain the upper hand our hosts would hit straight back. We needed to tighten up the proverbials and unleash our attacking Beast and did just that, some great forward running by the pack allowed the hooking hands to unleash pass on pass to incoming backs right along the line and into corner did Alex dive. A Great team try, all in, one in!!

To quote Coach McNeil, “The best try I’ve seen us score this season”. Well done lads!!

The game wasn’t finished there though for our valiant hosts would give it one more roll of the dice and found a mismatch in our line, Prop Forward against u12 halfback. Best efforts held onto his shirt for dear life but over two metres it was no contest but would see us to victory and a hugely enjoyable morning at the home of Southend’s Spartans.

This was a great advert for Rugby League in the Southern Heartland and shows that when it’s played in the right spirit everybody buys into the philosophy of the Viking that this is truly the Greatest game!!

Therefore, on that note of joyful happiness and calm I now bid you good afternoon and look forward to seeing you all for training at the Home of Rugby league in N22 on Tuesday evening from 6.45pm as we look to build on this, another great performance, as we welcome St Albans Centurions to N22 next Saturday.

I for one can’t wait and neither should you. My thanks to Coaches Fraine, Kelly and McNeil as together we are one Impenetrable Dominational Unit of Rugby League Football.

I LOVE THIS GAME!!!!

The Psalm of Positivity when in the capable hands of @LondonSkolarsRL U12s/U13s #SouthernHeartlandRugbyLeague

After the bronzing session in Friday’s sunshine, Mother nature would attempt to cleanse me of an incredible base tan I had built up over the last few months, but to no avail. For I was ready and waiting as would be my boys on the first of our three away days in seven for the Black Red n Green of N22.

This was the one that as Head coach, I believed the lads would deliver their best performance of the season and to enable them to achieve their goals I would need to take control early. As the Rugby League Gods decreed, an opportunity would present itself. For once, we had togetherness, time and numbers. Incredible numbers for an away day, at the last count 21, which shows me that we have a massively committed group of families that have faith and belief in the Coaching team.

Typically, in the place that gave us that top quality programming extravaganza that is The Only Way is Essex in refereeing terms could only deliver The Only Way is Brentwood.

For the first time this season we had a crackerjacker of a warm up. The boys stretched both their minds and bodies in sync as one wall of Black Red n Green. Without hesitation it was time to work on the hands and always super critical I had absolutely nothing to be critical about but watch in awe as pass after pass was caught, as the tempo increased so did the skill factor, Simon Cowell eat your heart for these lads would have been given four Yesses!!

Into the final moments of said warm up, the starting XIII would work on the game plan; their team mates would put them through their paces. The hands came into it, the support displayed signs of never abating, and the attack began to take shape. On the flipside in defence we saw some great line speed, three man holds, which would lead us into the opening whistle and an opportunity for redemption. The next 50 minutes would show us if we could mix it with the best.

From the off Brentwood set up camp in our half and laid siege to our 20 metre line, wave after wave of attack was unleashed, defence standing firm and repelling on the borders. There was no way through for the Eels, suddenly we found ourselves under pressure after some penalty calls and as we prepared for the next wave our hosts scored the opening try.

This seemed to galvanize the boys into a little more belief in their own talent and decided to test the water on the next set but to no avail. The Black Red n Green began to exert some pressure and won more territory that would create some opportunities and then the dreaded sound of the whistle. As the first half drew to a close it was time for the Viking to inspire the group. Heads down, arguments in full flow, I needed to turn the negative into a positive and with some fantastic representation of a Nordic Pillage the heads raised, the smiles returned, the ears became avenues of listening for the words of the Sensation of the Scandinavian were rocking their worlds. A quick personnel change would have a massive effect.

The second half whistle blew, and we took the ball in hard, whistle blew again and we were on the back foot but this time there was something different about the Boys from N22. Their belief and faith in one another had returned. One mate went in, another would follow, one mate went on a run of barnstorming bravado another would follow. The change was visual, the change was emphatic, unfortunately the hosts went in for another score and we would respond in the way of the Viking, quick hands, and great pressure through the middle and in the corner.

The lift was amazing, the passion and commitment returned, the Black Red n green flowed through the team and they went looking for victory. The urgency was apparent as at the end of consecutive sets our halfback dumped their kicker on his backside to exert that Viking pressure and give us opportunities. The passing became more crisp, the tackling, more crunch than a monster munch and the defensive prowess of a Nordic Legion. The boys never gave up in the face of some of the largest adversity seen all season. With backs against the wall we came out Butch and Sundance style, all guns blazing to the approvement of the roaring travelling support. As the final whistle blew I could not be more proud of my boys and the effort shown today. Each and everyone on the bench to all who played. This is the ultimate team game and when we came together in the post match huddle a few words of inspiration from the Ever tanning being gave the team the lift after the devastation of the loss. By the time we departed for home the group had become one team of Black Red n Green, an even closer unit.

Today’s display showed what we are capable of and produced our best game of the season in the second half. We can and will produce our complete game before seasons end and become Victorious when it matters most.

No matter what obstacles are put in your way today it is about how you overcome them and deal with them in the future. Today we have learned an incredibly valuable lesson as the Nordic Scribe and his coaching team develop these boys into well rounded and disciplined young men who will become a dominant force in the realms of Rugby League in the Southern Heartland before embarking on the true journey of destiny and into the Northern Heartlands fiery welcome.

I thank one and all for travelling and being part of this, the One true Rugby League revolution for we will meet once more on the Battlefields of Toulmin Drive St Albans and then Southend.

For now though I bid you good day, good pillaging and wishing you a fantastic week. We gave them our best thus far and we will give them our very best next time we meet!!

Yours in Pillaging League Style, the Viking of the Awe Inspiring Suntan!!

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.

SKOLARIGIN Game One, Mate vs Mate, at the Home of the #BlackRednGreen LondonSkolarsRL

The teams had been picked, the time had now been set, the weather had been arranged, the pitch fully coned to the direct specifications of my own meticulous laying. Each cone equidistant from the next. One of a few sightings that can be seen by the naked eye from the International space station, the Great Wall of China, The Rover plant, and Saturday morning with the Awe Inspiring Viking coned to perfection!

Skolarigin One, the Boys!!

The game of Mate against Mate was mouth wateringly close. Skolarigin Game 1 was nearly upon us, the masses gathered for what would be a tense morning of Brutal but beautiful rugby, God’s game created for the populous by the Coaching combo of Fraine, Kelly, McNeil and the Ever Suntanning Sensation.

The list had shown 28 names of purist Black Red n Green, in the back of the mind of the Viking, a very confusing and hectic place, the Nordic scribe, if truth be told, was only expecting 20-24!! To the Scandinavian surprise of Odin we had 27 lads all wanting to be part of this . . . the only Evolution of Rugby League in N22. If it’s going to happen, it will be here, wearing the colours proudly of the Skolars!!

Coach Kelly would lead the warm up stretches before getting into some copious amounts of pass n catch to the point that we took it back to the beginning of time and the basics in order to focus the mind, the body, and the soul. Straight into some three on one defence that would prepare the body for the most physical of sessions thus far in 2015.

Time for hydration, verbalisation and some uplifting and spiritual enlightenment from the Scribe of the Nordic word. This morning’s numbers would make me extremely proud and inspired, for this could have turned into a kick around the pitch and a little bit of touch, neigh, my friends, these boys WANT to be part of the Rugby League Revolution sweeping the North and North East of London that will culminate in a Northern versus Southern Heartland Battle in the very place where dreams are made of, St Helens. This is the light at the end of yonder tunnel, and where the development of our boys will be on show to the entire Rugby League heartland this coming summer.

For now we would begin. Mate against mate, no backward step taken, every forward step met with a booming tackle, every pass taken at speed, every hit felt around the Southern environments and one for the ever growing masses that we are in the process of cultivating into a full blown freight train of power that will not stop for anyone.

There was pace, there was guile, there was grit and there was determination. This was a great spectacle for the watching masses. A great matchup for all 27 lads of the Black Red n Green and another reason why nobody does it better!!

At this age they have a choice of what to do on any given Saturday. What they choose to do makes me as proud as punch and happy as Larry as they continue to believe in my Rugby League Vision and want to train every week and play matches at every opportunity, whilst making new friends  on their Nordic journey of discovery and their Rugby League development.

I am the Ever Scribing Nordic Legend and I thank you for your time in perusing the written word of the Sensation of the New Scandinavian Nation.

I will look forward to our next meeting, so until then I bid you Good day, Good evening and Good night!!

Attitude given . . . Fitness reciprocated . . . Respect earned in N22

The Green pastures of N22 were bathed in glorious sunshine for the return of the Black Red n Green U12s/13s combo to Perth Road for a session of unknown quantity and quality. One that would be remembered for a very long time in the deepest darkest places of their souls.

As the sun beat down on the fairest Viking of them all, they would arrive from the four corners of the Globe of the Nordic. An audience was already awaiting the arrival of the Sensation of the Scandinavian Nation as I would arrive on my Chariot of Destiny. Once arrival complete, pitch set, boys called in, now would be the time, we begun with sixteen, as the game of touch got underway this number increased. A new face arrived adding to the already massive numbers that have either trained or played this season under the Skolars banner.

This session would always be a tough one for the lads as our opponents had pulled out of this weekend’s up and coming fixture which they were so looking forward too. As Chief in charge it was up to me to get the best out of them, physically and mentally, stretching their inner sanctum to the max and then smashing through the “wall” to get to the other side. Not a session for the squeamish, what began as a little lacklustre with a dash of attitude would be reciprocated by a fitness beasting that would lead to hard earned respect.

This game is the ultimate team game; one bad egg will spoil the karma, when one goes others see an opportunity to get on the bandwagon. Not on my watch, backchat is out, improving your stamina whilst benefitting your teammates is most definitely in. During the week we have a solitary 60 minutes of training time in order to achieve maximum results and enjoyment. We need to work at an intense level that many have not yet reached but they are most certainly in the process of reaching that destination.

After the first two minute drill, the chat dissipated, the line speed quickened, the hands passed more sweetly, the support lines could be seen field wide. The discipline had improved by 200% in the space of 5 minutes. Maybe, just maybe something had been awoken, the selfishness in the early session had gone and the selfless session had begun and would lead us through to the Promised Land and a final two minute drill that would have the First XIII looking for the oxygen. This would allow us to be led into the final warm down and departation for home.

Another tough session that the lads came though on top of . . . just! We shall see what they have learned come Saturday as they go mate against mate as we begin to build the momentum for a massive month for the boys and the club.

I bid you Good evening and enjoy the Widnes/Hull game, pressure on both teams now with the prospect of dropping into the middle 8 during August and September. This is what makes SuperLeague great!!

Yours in Rugby League, the Ever Suntanned, Awe Inspiring Viking!!

Extolling Virtues of Positivity at Boughton Monchelsea with @LondonSkolarsRL

An early rise for the Boys from N22’s Black Red n Green U12s. For today would be a Journey South to “The Jungle” of Boughton Monchelsea and the Panthers of Invicta. A part of the world the Vikings had not invaded previously nor too the Skolars.

A foray into the unknown would begin with an earlier than usual beginning, awoken with a dawn chorus of neighbourly banging of doors in the Ghetto, something unheard of in Monchelsea I’m sure!!

Being half term, the roads were extremely pleasant to traverse and the weather sunny. The roads as smooth as St James Park turf, then we arrived . . . in Maidstone!! A first for everything and then it became a dot in the rear view mirror! For we had travelled through said town and come out of the other side to countryside, yes, open fields of green, and more fields of green. I haven’t seen this much grass since the outer playing fields at Broncos!!

Upon parking at the Cornwallis academy, didn’t he get beat in the War of Independence or was that just Mel Gibson?? We had a half mile walk to the fabled “Jungle” that upon reaching the end of the road opened up into Rugby Heaven, Goal posts surrounded by lush green forestry. For here we would pit our wits and horns against the Panthers of Invicta and the first proper U12s run out of 2016.

As the first whistle blew so did the first try to our hosts. This would rock us to our core, for the next 18 tackles we would make metres and enter the lion’s den where we were rebuffed at every charge. Still with heads up we would continue our battery of the home gates and were unlucky not to come away with a score, and then in the blink of an eye another score for the hosts. The heads could have dropped but in the huddle the boys knew what was required to correct the wrongs and returned to play and after some great hands and power running we pulled one back to the roar of the travelling contingent. As half time approached another break in defence would see our hosts put down for another.

During the half time huddle lots of chat occurred, but one thing remained constant . . . the boy’s ability to improve our game play. They knew what they had to do to improve their performance. This was about exploding onto the ball, tackles with three lads involved, simple passes and putting the opposition on their backs and were executing our plan, set after set we were camped in our opponents half and when we hit the accelerator we stepped in, drew defenders, straightened up and buried their wing and centre before touching down in the corner. A great effort and from this you could feel the spirits of the Black Red n Green uplift.

Although today’s result did not go in our favour there were enough positives to take away from the experience as we look to build the momentum in our run in over the coming weeks. The post match huddle was all about building the boy’s confidence and extolling the virtues of positivity out of what many would consider a negative performance. These boys WANT to play Rugby League and by giving them the right experiences and not applying pressure to them when down they will have more positive memories of our great game.

I for one, as always, am proud to be their Head Coach and can’t wait to get them back in N22 for our next trainer as we build towards our return meeting with the Rhinos of the East.

I bid you Good day and Good evening as I retire to the ironing and Magic Weekend before the wife grabs the remote for Britain Has Absolutely No Talent Whatsoever!!!

Enjoy your weekends!!

The Half Term Victorious Session @LondonSkolarsRL

The sun rose, the session set, the All Inspiring Viking shorted up and looking to inspire the worthy who would appear on the horizon looking to come, see and be victorious. An awaited session of such proportions that N22 was a pleasant valley of calm.

With it being half term and families deciding to take an early holiday or make other plans, an utter disgrace I tell you, LOL!! I was expectant of a nice round ten to come on down. Yet again, and I shouldn’t be, they arrived en masse and totalled fifteen. There is something building between our boys, the bonds of friendship, camaraderie upon arrival all enjoying each other’s company and really wanting to be around each other. This is a great sign of what we can expect over the coming months and years as these lads will build their skills and friendships under the tutelage of the All Conquering, Suntanning Extravaganza that is the Scandinavian Sensation and his Merry Coaching Band of Fraine, Kelly and McNeil.

Although the Coaching team was decimated, the light that shone brightest was that of the untanned upper thighs of the Nordic scribe. The session had been specifically designed for a level of intensity not matched thus far.

As the Big hand approached the 10am mark our session began with a game of touch, sleight of hand, running lines of speed, and fantastic support were on show and we’d only been in action for minutes!! Side to side hands utilising every blade of grass and inch to work the ball to the outside, boom it up the middle Hector style, suck in the defence, and whip it through those soft hands!!

The pace set would require a modicum of hydration before we would achieve some great results on our hands. We moved across to the Coloured Sensation of Passing Grid, quick hands into deeper hands and the introduction of the Miss pass, leading into our salvation and the M62 ball, one for the ages that will allow us to build our game play around and unleash the Black Red n Green attacking beast. Some great patience and listening from the lads as we went through each meticulous step building their confidence with each go and then into some great Two V One v One, some great hands and chat building towards our Three v Two. A challenge in itself but nevertheless all effort and guns blazing.

Throw in the 2minute drill and the strength was evident that came from within and their deepest darkest places as they left their backchat on the 10 metre line for the rest of the morning.

Into some protective falling, giving the boys and opportunity to build some technique and confidence before unleashing the two defenders on one attacker, some great work put in here, no dropped balls all using the three hands scenario. No let up once again, the effort and the sweat in full Skolars effect.

This would lead us nicely into a Five pronged attack against a Ten man defensive stand, no sidestepping, full frontal assault on the defensive line; two, three, four lad tackles all working towards the same goal of Black Red n Green domination in the tackle, Coach Kelly would have been proud with this form. Not one dropped ball in over thirty ball carries. Up and down the pitch, no gap left open, no friend left alone, together we stand, together we fall, but . . . NOT TODAY!!!!

The final effort was a team run, two teams hand in hand working as one unit of breathless brutality, 20 metres and back with a huge turning circle, 40 metres and back and with an equally large turning circle, and could it be finally the halfway line, drop hands and hammer home!!! Not a second was wasted as the Boys from N22 powered home, warmed down, packed away and departed for home.

What a great session, what a great TEAM we have here at U13s; the Future is getting brighter by the week. This group of lads are buying into the Vision of the Viking and how I would like them play, and when they play it truly is Visualised beauty. Most impressive sight of the morning is the joy and smiles that the lads come away with after every session, a great sight to behold.

They Came, They Saw, They were Victorious!!

For now, my friends, followers and readers of the Scribed word of the Nordic I wish you a Happy weekend as I kick back, relax and watch 7 games of Rugby League over the next 48 hours!!

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME ROOGBY LEAGUE??

Enjoy your weekends and I will see you Wednesday for more of the same from 6.45pm at the home of Rugby League in N22!!!