The end of the season....but not for some

For most Girl Players last weekends National 7's is the last date of the season, but for a select group it is continuing during the Summer.

One 'Junior Super League' weekend of training and match has already taken place at Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire on 17 - 18th May and the second match is taking place at the same venue this Saturday (31 May). Three U18 Herts Players, Alex Robertson, Megan Williams and Sophie Tyler were invited to take part, as was a fourth Welwyn Player, Hannah Gallagher, but she is currently recovering from an operation.

In addition invitation letters are currently being sent out to the Girls selected to attend the U18 and U15 High Performance Academy (HPA) Camp at Brunel University London on 12 and 13 July. The leading U18 players at the 4 HPA Camps will then be invited to join the 2007/8 TDG Girls at their next training session later in the summer, at which next seasons TDG Group will be selected. The U15 HPA's will be used to select the Girls for next seasons Schools of Rugby, which start later in the Summer.

National 7's Results

Women Cup: Winners - Worcester; Runners-up - Richmond.

Women Plate: Winners - Waterloo; Runners-up - Chesham.

Women Bowl: Winners - OA Saints; Runners-up - Wimbledon.

Women Dinner Service: Winners - Hertford; Runners-up - London Welsh.

U18 Cup: Winners - Exeter Saracens; Runners-up - Wimbourne.

U18 Plate: Winners - Welwyn; Runners-up - Darlington M.P.

U15 Cup: Winners - North Hykeham; Runners-up - Exeter Saracens.

U15 Plate: Winners - Tynedale; Runners-up - Worcester

Have you signed up for the RFUW conference yet?

The RFUW Regional Conference will be at Hatfield on 28th June. A full day of practical demonstrations, discussions and case studies aimed at players, coaches, referees and managers. There is even a Q&A session where you can get a chance to ask RFUW board exactly what they are doing. Clubs can send two people (and may be able send more), full refreshments are provided... and all for only £5!

However, RFUW are asking for clubs to put forward delegates by the end of this week. There is more information on the RFUW website (plus an application form).

RFUW want to hear from YOU!

RFUW are contacting all clubs, schools and college teams and asking them to complete an "audit" about the state of the game as you see it. Please ensure that your club completes the audit before the closing date of 23rd June. It only takes five minutes and is vital to the development of the game.

For more information, including a link to the audit itself, see the RFUW website.

All change

Yesterday's National 7's was the last time that some Girls had the opportunity to play for their current Herts Clubs, as by the beginning of next season they will be over 18. Also for the first time in 2 years there will be movement between the Junior Girls (U15's) and Senior Girls (U18's).

Four Herts Clubs (Saracens, Welwyn, Hertford and Old Albanians) have Players graduating to their U18 teams from their current U15 teams to help fill the gaps, but all 8 Girls Clubs in Herts are looking to recruit new players next season, especially at U15 level.

If you are interested in playing Girls Rugby next season and you are currently aged 12-17 please contact one of the following:

• Bishops Stortford: Stephen Dunkley - stephen.dunkley1@btopenworld.com
• Hertford: Mel Timpson - melanietimpson@btinternet.com
• Letchworth: John Birch - johnbirch@ntlworld.com
• Old Albanians: Brad Cox - brad.cox@stags.herts.sch.uk
• Saracens: Simon Shutler - shutler4@tiscali.co.uk
• Stevenage: Steve Gibbs - m99jed@yahoo.co.uk
• Tabard: Laura-Jo Pearce - tabardminis@hotmail.co.uk
• Welwyn: Peter Mccullough - peter.mccullough@ntlworld.com

Herts Girls 7's (Tabard RFC) Results

This firmly established Girls Rugby Festival moves between Clubs in Hertfordshire each season in order to bring it to the widest possible audience and today it was the turn of Tabard RFC. Laura-Jo Pearce was today's organiser and she deserves great thanks for the time and effort she has put in during the past four months preparing for it.

The results were:

U18 Cup: Winners - Basford; Runners-up - Letchworth.

U18 Plate: Winners - Reading; Runners-up - Kettering.

U15 Cup: Winners - London Irish; Runners-up - Saracens.

U15 Plate: Winners - Bucks Jesters; Runners-up - Kettering.

U15 Bowl: Winners - Welwyn; Runners-up - Tamworth.

RFUW Club Devlopment Toolkit Funding Award

Welwyn Warriors received the excellent news today that their application for £500 from the RFUW Club Development Toolkit Fund has been successful.

This money will be used on projects to promote Girls Rugby in the local area e.g. Open Afternoons, Coaching in Schools, Publicity etc. The money will be used between June 1 2008 and May 31 2009, and will effectively be an investment in the long term future of Welwyn Warriors.

Dorking Girls 7's 11th May Winners and Runners up

U12 Cup Winner: Perins School
U12 Cup R/up: Beckenham/Old Alleynians

U15 Cup Winner: London Irish
U15 Cup R/up: Ellingham & Ringwood

U15 Plate Winner: Dorking
U15 Plate R/up: Guildford

U18 Cup Winner: Dorking
U18 Cup R/up: Worthing

U18 Plate Winner: Chobham
U18 Plate R/up: Letchworth

National Regional Festival Litchfield - U15 and U18

On Saturday East Region U15's , including eight Herts Players (four Saracens and four Welwyn), finished fourth out of 12 Regions in this seasons National Regional Festival at Litchfield RFC, narrowly losing the 3/4 place play-off to South (2007 winners). This was an improvement on last year when East finished 6th. East Midlands were the 2008 U15 winners beating East Wales in the Final.

On Sunday East Region U18's, including ten Herts Players (nine Welwyn and one Letchworth) finished 3rd for the second year running. They beat East Midlands in the 3/4 place play off and the U18 winners were West Midlands, who beat Yorkshire in the Final.

Herts 7s: competition rules

Playing conditions

Games shall be played according to the standard laws of rugby union, incorporating IRB amendments relating to Sevens rugby and age group rules adopted by the RFUW.

In particular teams should note that:

· Conversions shall be by means of a drop kick

· After a score, the team scoring shall restart

· All matches shall be seven minutes each way (except Cup finals which shall be ten minutes each way) — and may be reduced in length on safety grounds at the discretion of the referee (i.e. if teams are significantly mis-matched, or if the risk to injury is increased due to player fatigue).

IMPORTANT NOTE:

All referee decisions shall be final and cannot subsequently be changed. If an error is made by any match official over any rule, law or actuality, or the interpretation of any rule or law, then the game shall continue as if the error had not been made and any score, or subsequent score, shall stand. No attempt should be made to deliberately correct an error by any person either later in the game or afterwards, and no appeals will be entered into on such matters after a game.

Other tournament rules

· While squads may be of any size, they will be assumed to contain ten players. There will only be sufficient programmes, etc. — and winners medals! — for that number.

· In pool games, four points shall be awarded to a winning team, and two points each if the game is drawn. A try scoring bonus point will be awarded to any team scoring four or more tries in a game, and a losing bonus point to any team losing by seven points or less.

· The organisers may, at their discretion, award a bonus point to reward examples of good sportsmanship, such as the lending of players to other teams to cover injury (provided they are not from the same club).

· The organisers also reserve the right to deduct competition or match points for breaches of the Code of Conduct or other poor sportsmanship by players or club officials if reported by referees or other tournament officials.

· Pool ranking shall be decided on the basis of (in order) a) competition points; b) results between the team/s tied on points; c) most tries scored; d) fewest tries conceded; e) points difference. If teams are still level then places shall be decided by a kicking competition (see below).

· Knock-out games tied at the end of normal time shall continue with one period of two minutes sudden-death (first to score wins) overtime with teams defending the end they were defending at the end of normal time. If teams are still level then the game shall be decided by a kicking competition (see below).

· Kicking competition. Each player finishing the game (or seven nominated players in the case of pool placings) shall take a drop kick at goal from any point on the field. Players from each team will kick alternately. All players other than the kicker shall stand behind the 22. The competition will continue until (after the same number of kicks have been taken by each) one team has scored more goals than the other.

· The organisers’ decisions on the interpretation of these rules, or on any other relevant matters not covered by these rules, shall be final.

· Teams shall be ready to start their game as soon as the previous game has concluded.

· Referees will complete the official match scorecard immediately following each match and deliver it to the central control or hand it to the pitch Marshall who will deliver it to the central control.

Injuries

If an on-field injury delays play for more than five minutes the game shall be abandoned and the score at the time of the abandonment shall stand.

If the injury delays the start of any subsequent matches then, if practical, in the U 18 competition a half sized pitch shall be marked out and play shall continue on that pitch until the injury is treated. It that is not possible, or if the injury happens in an U 15 game, subsequent matches shall transfer to the other pitch. Games will then run for five minutes each way until the injury is treated and cleared

Herts 7s draw published

Herts Girls Sevens Competition – Match Schedule

Under 15 Competition - Pool Stage

Pool A

Kick-off	Pitch
11:00	C	Herts Barbarians	Tamworth
11.40	D	Basford	Herts Barbarians
12.20	C	Tamworth	Basford

Pool B

Kick-off	Pitch
11:20	C	Saracens	Old Albanians
12.00	D	Hertford	Saracens
12.40	C	Old Albanians	Hertford

Pool C

Kick-off	Pitch
11:00	D	London Irish	Kettering
11.40	C	Stevenage	London Irish
12.20	D	Kettering	Stevenage

Pool D

Kick-off	Pitch
11:20	D	Welwyn Warriors	Reading Ladies
12.00	C	Bucks Jesters	Welwyn Warriors
12.40	D	Reading Ladies	Bucks Jesters

Under 15 Competition – Knock Out Stage

Time	Pitch	Match
13:30	C	U15 Bowl Semi 1	Pool A v Pool C
	D	U15 Bowl Semi 2	Pool B v Pool D
13:50	C	U15 Plate Semi 1	Pool A v Pool C
	D	U15 Plate Semi 2	Pool B v Pool D
14:10	C	U15 Cup Semi 1	Pool A v Pool C
	D	U15 Cup Semi 2	Pool B v Pool D
14:30	D	U15 Bowl Final
	C	U15 Bowl 3rd playoff
14:50	D	U15 Plate final
	C	U15 Plate 3rd playoff
15:10	D	U15 Cup 3rd playoff
15:30	A	U15 Cup final

Under 18 Competition - Pool Stage

Pool A

Kick-off	Pitch
11.00	A	Kettering	Herts Barbarians
11.40	B	Wisbech G. S.	Kettering
12.20	A	Herts Barbarians	Wisbech G. S.

Pool B

Kick-off	Pitch
11.20	A	Basford	Hertford
12.00	B	TBA	Basford
12.40	A	Hertford	TBA

Pool C

Kick-off	Pitch
11.00	B	Herts Swifts	Reading Ladies
11.40	A	Worthing Stingers	Herts Swifts
12.20	B	Reading Ladies	Worthing Stingers

Pool D

Kick-off	Pitch
11.20	B	Bucks Jesters	Pavworth Maoris
12.00	A	Letchworth G.C.	Bucks Jesters
12.40	B	Pavworth Maoris	Letchworth G.C.

Under 18 Competition – Knock Out Stage

Time	Pitch	Match
13:30	A	U18 Bowl Semi 1	Pool A v Pool C
	B	U18 Bowl Semi 2	Pool B v Pool D
13:50	A	U18 Plate Semi 1	Pool A v Pool C
	B	U18 Plate Semi 2	Pool B v Pool D
14:10	A	U18 Cup Semi 1	Pool A v Pool C
	B	U18 Cup Semi 2	Pool B v Pool D
14:30	A	U18 Bowl Final
	B	U18 Bowl 3rd playoff
14:50	A	U18 Plate Final
	B	U18 Plate 3rd playoff
15:10	A	U18 Cup 3rd playoff
15:55	A	U18 Cup Final

U18 National 10's Finals Litchfield Sun 4th May

Each of the 6 teams that reached the U18 National 10's Finals at Litchfield RFC played each other in a round robin tournament.

Results affecting Letchworth:

Letchworth 10 Wimbourne 10
Letchworth 24 Tynedale 17
Letchworth 0 Worcester 38
Letchworth 17 Darlington Mowden Park 15
Letchworth 0 Reading 24

Final standings:

Winners: Worcester
Runners up: Reading
3rd Wimbourne
4th Letchworth
5th Darlington Mowden Park
6th Tynedale

Congratulations to Worcester who retain the Trophy they won last year.

Worthing Girls Festival Sun 4th May

The Worthing Festival is now an integral part of the Girls Rugby Season. Teams travel to it from as far as Worcester, Sleaford and Leicestershire, and now that it has moved to the first Bank Holiday weekend in May (next season Sun 3 May 2009) some teams are making it part of a 'Tour'. There is a 10's Section at both U15 and U18, and this year a 7's Section at U12 was introduced for the first time.

Welwyn U15's entered, but with only 7 Players available, for various reasons, needed to borrow Players from other Clubs to make up a team. In the true spirit of Rugby, both Basford and Paviors lent Players, but unfortunately Welwyn were knocked out at the Group Stage this year.

Glenn Warren, the Chair of Worthing Ladies and Girls Rugby, said that it their intention to try and expand the U12's Section next Season and they are also contemplating having a Senior 7's Tournament on the Saturday, turning the whole weekend over t0 Womens and Girls Rugby.

The results were:

U12's - Cup Winners: Worthing - Runners up: Beckenham

U15's - Cup Winners: Londin Irsh - Runners up: H3

U15's - Plate Winners: Folkstone Fillies - Runners up: Dorking

U18's - Cup Winners: Basford - Runners up: Paviors/Tamworth (Pavworth)

U18's - Plate Winners: Solent Sirens - Runners up: Old Leamingtonians

IRB announce major rule changes from 2008/9 season

The IRB issued the following press release today concerning a one year trial of the "ELVs" (Experimental Law Variations). These will apply to all rugby at all levels, unless otherwise stated, from 1st August 2008. Some of the changes are very significant and it is important that all players, coaches and officials are aware of the changes that will take place:

The International Rugby Board Council today announced that it had approved a global trial of Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) for a 12 month period starting on August 1, 2008. The trial at all levels of the Game will involve 13 of the 23 ELVs that have been undergoing experimentation in approved tournaments around the world over the last two years.

"The Council's decision to implement a global trial of Experimental Law Variations represents an important milestone for the future of the Game. It vindicates the process that was adopted by Council in 2004 for future Law amendments. The Council congratulated the Law Project Group on its unprecedented work over the past two years," said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

"It was also agreed that the sanctions ELVs (reduction of sanctions to free kicks from penalty kicks where possible) that were not approved for global trials would be further trialled in a selected elite Northern Hemisphere competition in the 2008/09 season."

"The Southern Hemisphere will continue to play under the various ELV programme environments that exist in that part of the world at present. It would be unfair to change the playing environment under which countries in the south are currently playing in competitions such as the Super 14."

"Not one of the Council representatives was against the global implementation of an ELV programme of some description. Many of the ELVs received unanimous approval as they had clearly shown potential to be beneficial to the Game thus meriting a further trial at all levels around the world."

"The Laws Project Group had recommended a global trial of all of the ELVs but there were differing opinions between the Council Members on some of the ELVs in the area of the tackle and ruck, maul, sanctions and offside. The key point here was that the Members did not dismiss these ELVs outright but believed that further consideration and trials were necessary."

"This is particularly true of the sanctions ELVs which have not been trialled by senior Unions in the north but which have been received favourably by players and coaches that have played under them in the Southern Hemisphere."

"The Laws Project Group has been tasked to closely monitor the global trial with the assistance of its Member Unions. It will also work with the Senior Unions in the north to deliver and analyse the sanctions ELVs in an elite Northern Hemisphere Competition."

"In November 2009 Council will review all the ELVs that will undergo global trial, along with the sanctions ELVs that will undergo approved trials in specific competitions. Council will then decide at this meeting if all or any of the ELVs should be accepted into full Law," added Mr Lapasset.
ELVs to be trialled worldwide

Assistant Referees
Assistant Referees can assist referees in any manner required when appointed by a match organiser

Posts and flags around the field
The corner posts are no longer considered to be in touch in-goal except when a ball is grounded against the post

Lineout and throw
If a team puts the ball back into their own 22 and the ball is subsequently kicked directly into touch there is no gain of ground
A quick throw may be thrown in straight or towards the throwing team's own goal line
There is no restriction on the number of players who can participate in the lineout from either side (minimum of two)
The receiver in a lineout must stand 2 metres back from the lineout
The player who is in opposition to the player throwing in the ball may stand in the area between the 5 metre line and touch line but must be 2 metres away from the lineout
Lineout players may pre-grip a jumper before the ball is thrown in
The lifting of lineout jumpers is permitted

Maul
Players are able to defend a maul by pulling it down
Remove reference in Law to heads and shoulders not to be lower than hips

Scrum
Introduction of an offside line five metres behind the hindmost feet of the scrum
Scrum half offside lines (must be in close proximity to the scrum as present Law or must retreat five metres)

ELVs to be trialled in an elite Northern Hemisphere competition
Sanctions
For all offences other than offside, not entering through the gate, and Law 10 - Foul Play, the sanction is a Free Kick

Tackle and ruck
If the ball is unplayable at the breakdown, the side that did not take the ball into contact will receive a Free Kick

Maul
If a maul becomes unplayable, the team not in possession at the start of the maul receives a Free Kick

ELVs to be referred back to LPG for further analysis and possible experimentation
Lineout and throw
Incorrect throw (not straight) the sanction is a Free Kick

Tackle and ruck
Offside line occurs immediately at the tackle
Players who are on their feet can play the ball with their hands

There are two Penalty Kicks awarded at the tackle and ruck - offside and foul play
Reference to unfair play added to Law 15 (tackle: ball carrier brought to ground)

Offside
Players are only put onside after a tackle when they retreat past the tackle or the ball has moved five metres away from the tackle

Kick-off and restart kicks
Incorrect kick-offs and restart kicks result in a Free Kick for the opposition

RFUW London & South East Regional Club Conference - 28th June 2008

The RFUW invites you to the 2008 RFUW London and South East Regional Club Conference, held this year at The University of Hertfordshire on Saturday 28th June from 10.15am – 4.45pm.

This annual event is always very well attended and not only provides an excellent training and development opportunity for the volunteers at your club but also allows you to network and share ideas with other clubs and members of the RFUW staff team.

The day will feature a variety of different sessions for coaches, administrators and referees and will involve both theoretical and practical workshops.

If you, or a colleague at your club would be interested in attending this conference please complete the attached form and return it to regionalrugby@therfu.com or by post to Gemma Ryan, RFUW, Rugby House, Rugby Road, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW1 1DZ. Please ensure you indicate which sessions you are interested in attending, e.g. coaches, referees or administrators. Please also note that there will be a £5 charge per person for attending this event.

Herts U15 Development Fixture Sun 27th April

This was the second time this season that Herts had hosted a U15 County Development fixture at Welwyn RFC. The two dates were chosen to co-incide with Regional dates, to give the next level of players an opportunity to gain more experience at this level.

The first event in March involved Herts, Kent and Middlesex and they were joined this time by Eastern Counties. Each team played each other in a round robin format, but there was no Trophy at stake. Herts had @25 Players, so quite a few of them ended up guesting for Middlesex and Kent, who were both short of numbers, to ensure they gained as much game time as possible. In the final round of games Herts Girls were playing for 3 different sides simultaneously, but we did ensure that all the Herts Girls did play in at least one game for their own County.

For the record the Herts scores were:
Herts 35 Eastern Counties 0
Herts 29 Kent 0
Herts 37 Middlesex 0

Both the County U15 Development and U12 Girls team initiatives have been very well received this season and we plan to continue them next season.

East Region - U15 National Festival Litchfield Sat 10th May

Congratulations to all those girls who this season played their part in the two Regional Games against Yorkshire and the South Region. With the Regional Festival at Litchfield only 2 weeks away, the coaching staff have selected the squad who will take part in this years U15 Festival.

The following girls will travel to Litchfield to represent the East Region at the U15 National Festival on 10th May:
Alice Nee
Claire Johnston
Ellie Martin
Alex Grant
Megan Robson
Courtney Arberry
Claire Shutler
Georgia Peedle
Sam Voyle
Abbie Cook
Olivia Stembridge
Alice Finn
Maddy Lockwood
Lucie Wood
Megan Childs
Jess Harris
Layla Pickering
Emma Wilson
Yasmin Pemberton
Frances Hughes
Kelsey Davis
Jess Wilkins

Could all those girls who have been selected, please contact Tina Turner to confirm their availability for the Festival.

U12s: Four county tournament, and season in review

The U12s finished their first season with a four team tournament at Welwyn this afternoon. Again club fixtures resulted in the loss of several leading players, but that did give some girls new to the sport a chance to shine.

In practice this was probably the least experienced Herts side we have been able to put out, and the first up was Kent - now a very experienced team based around two Kent clubs. It was a steep learning curve for the new girls, but by the second half they were where beginning work together and even scored a try at the end, going down five tries to one.

The second game against Eastern Counties was a far closer affair, two missed tackles in the first half being the difference giving the visitors a 10-0 win. But the second half was hugely exciting with Herts very unlucky to fail to break the deadlock.

Finally the girls took on Middlesex, aka Ealing, another experienced team but performed very well, despite the 20-5 scoreline. Overall Kent were winners, Middlesex second, and Eastern Counties third.

At the end of the first U12 programme it is worth recording that around 25 girls have played in five fixtures, as well as two training sessions. At full strength a Herts U12 team could take on anyone, but we were never granted that luxury! But that did not matter - and was hardly the point. Rather more interesting is that the programme has allowed over a dozen girls to sample competitive, full-contact rugby for the first time in a supportive environment suited to their needs - something that would be very difficult to do as part of a standard mini team. In addition the rugby careers of several other girls who had dropped out of rugby, or were on the verge of doing so, have been revived.

It is this that the programme was created to do. There has been a degree of opposition from some in boys and mini rugby who have failed to understand this. The U12 programme is not a representative programme, nor is its purpose to establish an alternative "club". The aim is to introduce girls to the game, and keep those in the game playing. We know that Saracens and Old Albanians will definitely benefit from these new or revived players next season, while both Welwyn and Letchworth are likely to include girls in their U15 squads next season who played U12 county rugby this season.

The only disappointing aspect of the programme has been the lack of enthusiasm and suspicion from some clubs, amounting to active opposition at times. This has restricted the uptake of the programme to only a minority of clubs, most of whom already have U15 and U18 sections and therefore understood what it was trying to do. It can only be hoped that these negative responses will be replaced with a more positive attitude next season because the programme has quite clearly at least slowed the hemorrhaging of girls from the mini game in Hertfordshire. I think we would be the first to admit that it is not perfect, but until someone comes up with a better means of keeping girls playing rugby up to U12s it remains the only game in town.

Finally, the programme could not have happened without the active support of several people, including members of the Herts Women's and Girls' committee, but above all Natalie Threlfall - a U18 player at Letchworth - who (along with her mother!) has given up several of her weekends (not to mention her chance of a place in the county U18 squad) to support, coach, and inspire the girls. The U12 programme offers a great practical opportunity for older girls to practice their coaching and it can only be hoped that some more will take up this next season.

You can still go to the ball

Not enough players available to form a team for Herts 7s at your club? Never mind, Cinders, you can still go to the ball!

Tabard, organisers of this year's competition (Sunday 25th May), are organising a "Barbarian" team for the U15 and (if there is sufficient interest) the U18 competition. Any girls who would otherwise miss out on the day because they have no-one to play for is welcome. For more information contact Laura-Jo.

Barbarian teams have an honourable history in the Herts 7s - and being part of an "all-sorts" team does not mean that you will be uncompetitive. Remember - the first U14 tournament in 2005 was won by just such a side!

Herts Girls 7's update

The following teams have so far entered the Herts Girls 7's at Tabard RFC on Sunday 18th May.

U15's:

Reading.
Welwyn.
London Irish.
Hertford.
Basford.
Saracens.
Tamworth.
Kettering.
OA Saints.
Bucks Jesters.
Stevenage.

U18's:

Reading.
Hertford.
Letchworth.
Basford.
Pavworth Maoris.
Wisbech Grammer School.
Kettering.
Bucks Jesters.
Herts Swifts.
Herts Cluster.

There is room for up to 16 Teams in each Section of the Tournament, so entries are still invited, including from Barbarian sides. Please contact me Laura-Jo Pearce on 07793809586 or tabardminis@hotmail.co.uk for further details