Getting the players to kit up and onto the field considering the temperature and the wind took a while, but they did. Once they warmed up, they really started cooking.  Our first game against Oakville 5 saw the 10 boys and 1 girl, power through their opponent. Oakville only ventured into our end once, while we touched down a total of 11 times for a 55 -5 win. An excellent showing by everyone, with those that saw their first contact action making strong contributions to the play of our veterans, Edward, Ringer and Jake.   Game two was against Toronto Scottish and again our side was victorious, 65 -10 . It was fun to watch the progress our newest to tackle players made, as they really stepped up and initiated contact and play, Zack, Calvin, got  right in there for key tackles. Cameron took a great run off a line-out, much to the delight of the coaches. Carson made an amazing tackle from behind to prevent a Scottish tri and Kevin and Brock almost put down late in the 2nd half.   Our last game of the day was originally to be against Oakville 3, but was changed last minute to Oshawa 2.  They were obviously a much stronger side and gave us a bit of a hard time. It was a tense first half with a strong contribution from Ringer scoring several try’s and displaying strong defense. By the second half we started to pull away with quick scores by Edward and Jaxon. Oshawa visited our house 4 times, including one near the end of the game despite a strong effort by Dana to drive him out of bounds. Highland touched down a total of twelve times for another strong win, 60- 20.   For our first full day of Contact Rugby, fabulous results. Thanks to all the parents who spent the day cheering and supporting our side. And Moms, it looks much worse than it actually is, just checkout all the smiles and laughter.

The Highland Rugby U8′s had a great showing in their first tournament of

the year.  When the day started, coaches Tim and Norm looked around to

try and find 7 players to field, and by the time the game started there

were 12 including 5 U6′s.

Led by several experienced players Highland first defeated a joint

Scottish/Saracens side while all got used to actual games and enforced

rules.  Matt Bell was Man of the Match for leading by example and

scoring some excellent tries.

Next the team overcame an Ajax squad while getting more involvement from

some first year players.  As the second Man of the Match, Josh Bell

leaves the older squads drooling over his inadvertent but effective

tackling; at least he did get the flag too.

The team looked tired by the third match against Oakville but battled

back from an early deficit to keep the match close.  Drew Costello

receives the third Man of the Match for being a flagging machine with 3

consecutive flags on one possession while narrowly missing the fourth

and her unique ’round and round the track’ running style learned from

coach Tim.

Most of all, everyone had fun and everyone got to play.  We are looking

forward to building on this experience in workouts as many of the first

year players improved immensely from game to game and started to

understand the passing, positioning and flow.  Great job Highland!

Alright guys I got us a game… 3pm kickoff in Mississauga against the Blues.

We’re playing at Streetsville Secondary School.

Now you know, tell me whether or not you can make it.

Regional Trials:

Saturday, May 7th – all age grades – Belleville’s MA Sills Park fields, 140 Palmer Road www.city.belleville.on.ca 10:00am to 3:30pm –One outdoor turf field and one rugby field

Sunday, May 8th – all age grades – Oakville Crusaders Rugby Club www.oakvillecrusaders.com 10:00am to 3:30pm – Rugby fields

Saturday, May 14th – *** U17 and U18 ONLY *** – Holy Name of Mary Catholic Secondary School 115 Glenvale Blvd. Brampton ON, L6S 3J7 10:00am to 3:30pm – Rugby field

Sunday, May 15th – all age grades – Highland Rugby Club, Fergus www.highlandrugby.com 10:00am to 3:30pm – Rugby fields

Invitational Final Trial (all invited players must attend): Sunday, June 19th – all age grades – Oakville Crusaders Rugby Club www.oakvillecrusaders.com 10:00am to 3:30pm – Rugby fields

Registration Cost is $40.00, comes with a try-out t-shirt and allows players to attend a maximum of two trials. Players are encouraged to attend two of the trials where possible. Please arrive 30+ min before the start of the trial to register. Required Equipment: Trials will combine fitness testing, drills, and game play.

Bring appropriate clothing, protective gear and footwear, water/food/drinks. Eligibility: U18 – Players born 1993 or 1994; U17 – Players born 1994; U16 – Players born 1995 or later. For information about the program contact the Director, Celeste Corless juniorwomen@rugbyontario.com Or for specific information about the teams, contact the head coaches: U18 – Joe Costello – joecost@yorku.ca U17 – Pete Hercus – phercus@hpedsb.on.ca U16 – Juli Brattan – jdbrattan@sympatico.ca Or visit www.rugbyontario.com

Date – Sunday June 19th 2011

• registrations start at 9:00 am and on-field tryouts will be from 10:00 until 12:30

• the tryout fee $30.00 , players will get a Rugby Ontario t shirt

• players must wear their school rugby jerseys and use mouth guards while on the field

• players who have previously played for Ontario are requested to refrain from wearing any Ontario apparel ( jerseys, shorts or socks )

• each player must bring his own water bottle and have Canada Health Card information available

Regional tryouts locations

Please note – the only U14 and U18 tryout site on June 19 will be Fletcher’s Fields All other age groups can report to any of the following regional sites

• St George’s Rugby Club London www.londonrfc.com

• Oakville Crusaders Rugby Club www.oakvillecrusaders.com NEW in 2011

• Fletcher’s Fields www.fletchersfields.com

• Courtice High School www.courticesecondaryschool.ca

• Twin Elm Rugby Park ( organized by the EORU ) www.eorurugby.com Please note – the EORU tryout will be held on Sunday June 12

Selectors will identify players on June 19 to be invited to the final tryouts for every age group on Sunday June 26th at Fletchers Fields

For more information contact Glenn Tarver tarver@rogers.com

Well done to all players of the junior division that came to indoor training…with spring in the Air you certainly showed it in the effort that you put in.

we have two more weeks in inside for definite….hopefully after this we will be outside

lets start banning the drum and getting all of our friends out to play.

we are planning a great season for all ages.

see you all at Fergus Arena next Thursday April 7th 6pm.

Joe and Rob

Highland RFC will be hosting an invitational tournament on Saturday, May 28th. Games will run from 12 noon – 5 p.m. Food, Refreshments will be available on site. For more information contact dswainson@cslifescience.com

Trivia Night 2011

 The sessions run most Sundays from 2-4 pm at St. John’s Kilmarnock School in Guelph through the months of March-April

To register for winter training, contact Don at : dswainson@cslifescience.com