Hawcoat Storm - Est: 2008

The “morning after” game was played in a haze for some and a big thanks to everyone for getting out of bed this morning! The guys who were running the kitchen said, and I quote, “we’ve been doing this for nearly fifty years and we’ve never ever sold that many buns, it must have been some party!” Fortunately the boys faired a little better and we took to the pitch with players to spare in both age groups. I must admit though that the sight of so many ladies in sunglasses did make it look like a Blues Brothers tribute act along the touchline! Please upload any photos you have of the evening to the website.

Under 8s
Ulverston 40 – Storm 40
A fantastically entertaining game soon woke up the watching winos and after a slow start we moved into gear with a brilliant second half. We were caught napping during the opening minutes of the game which I’ll put down to the late night (and the threat of a month on the tackle bags and half time!) The game finished as a draw (I think) according to the piece of damp kitchen roll I was handed with various digits and some early Egyptian cave scrawling on. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE PASSING!!!!!! We drew applause from spectators of both teams when we turned on the Harlem Globe Trotters rugby. We scored from passing moves and at one point even managed to string together six in a row – absolutely brilliant and testament to the team’s growing confidence and ball handling skills. I’m now proud to say that we have a passing team and if we can apply a little bit more controlled aggression in defence we’ll give anyone a run. Tries from Lewis (3), Coops (3), Archie (2) and conversions from Spence, Sammy, Jake and Marcus ensured we scored enough to force the draw. If we can tackle on game day as we do in training the result would have been very, very different - stop being so nice! Well done everyone.

Under 10s
Ulverston 60 – Storm 12
To put 12 points into those guys was just reward for a massively improved second half. Again we can put this down to the late night but against a big unit like Ulverston we really needed to be at our very best from the whistle. The boys shouldn’t lose heart though. There were many, many positives to take from today’s game and those parents that have been involved for more than one season will know that the majority of those Ulverston players have a year’s more experience and will progress to Under 12s next year – and then we become the big ones! Tries (2) for Matty took him to 101 and a record he can be extremely proud of. Conversions from Matthew and William got us into double figures on the day and with a little more luck and a lot more aggressive running the scoreline could have been much closer. We still need to move off the line and we need to stop being so nice and bring the intensity and aggression that we show at training to match days – in both age groups. It’s never right to square up to someone on the field but if this is passion and determination boiling over I don’t really have a problem with it. It shows that the player is focussed, positive and ready to do what he has to for his team. Well done everyone.

Other Information:

Wigan Trip
I've now had confirmation from Wigan that we're all good to go and have booked two coaches as indicated by the early expressions of interest. I now need to finalise numbers to enable me to work out costs for the coaches (the more we have – the cheaper it is). Match tickets and stadium tour are £15 and £10 and represent very good value and I’ll be asking for this up front with your bookings please. Tickets will be issued on a first come / first served basis and having two 53 seaters there are 106 available. Coach costs are payable on the day and this will give us chance to try and fill both. I will have a sheet at training on Friday night to start to collate numbers so if you want tickets please bring your money.
Merchandise
With the imminent placing of a strip order for the 12s (awesome design to be unveiled in the next week) we have an opportunity to order all the other stuff we’ve been asking about. The replica shirts are available in a minimum order quantity of 12 and we can overcome this by tagging adult shirts onto the back of the 12s order. To order any of the current squad’s tops we need a minimum of 12 and this is unlikely unless all the dads really want one? For embroidered items we can order a minimum of 12 but this can be made up of different items. Please use the website (www.hawcoatstorm.co.uk) to view the items on offer. If parents can give me the item required and size at training this week I will ensure they get their items on the next ONeills order. Hoodys are also available for those that weren’t lucky enough to benefit from the subsidised tops we had.
A Team
For those Dads who have had their appetite for a game whet by their son’s performances there’s a chance to dig out those boots. The Rugby Union A team are entered in the Miller Homes 5 League this season and are looking for players to compliment the RL old guard they already have (Petch and myself.) It’s a good crack and a chance to get fit and feel like you’ve been in a car crash on a Sunday morning. Training resumes shortly but currently consists of an hour’s kick about on a Wednesday evening on the First XV pitch to keep levels of fitness up before the serious stuff starts. If you’re interested please give me a shout.