Massive thank you to Hartlepool for fulfilling a fixture after our arranged fixture was cancelled due to a lack of under 9’s team. Hartlepool brought 18 players and so to ensure playing time for everyone two pitches were set up. Hartlepool offered to lend some players and they were a welcome addition to two very good matches.

It was a cold morning and it wasn’t long before we were a player down, losing Jenny to the cold. Soon after, a slight injury to one of Hartlepool's energetic side meant they had to come off. Alfie, Cassian and Dakota led the line as the remaining Bishop players at 6 a side, showing great skills, passing and scoring tries. It was also great to see that they involved the borrowed players giving rise to compliments from the opposing coach after the game.

In our other newly scheduled fixture, Jaxon, Harper, Iwan, Sonny and Thor started a fast paced game, ensuring that the Hartlepool players had trouble keeping up with Sonny and Thor when breaking down the wings. Jaxon stepped up to keep the formation together for defensive battles while Iwan ensured he was everywhere to prevent Hartlepool from going forward. Following a spontaneous nose bleed at half time Harper came back on the pitch to show that fear has no place in the under 9’s and showed that she isn't scared to get stuck in by tackling everyone she could get her arms around.

Players of the week as voted by the opposition.

Dakota - everytime the coach looked up, she was there. The forefront of every attack and first person in the tackle.

Harper - after the potential to miss the second half after a nose bleed, came back with a vengeance and showed a lot of awareness on the pitch.