The Landrover Cup and with a few players missing we looked forward to playing the New Rules of rugby in what is almost as different as playing football - at least the ball is the same shape! Unfortunately we have taught our players to catch as you gain advantage in the new rules if you knock it on when catching a kick (This is not a joke!)

With 9 men in a team and uncontested scrums and mini mauls and rucks we took to the field.

First up in our pool of 4 were Dorchester. Wow, they new how the rules worked and were amazing at the breakdown. Our team struggled with only 3 allowed in the rucks and mauls so were caught napping on a few occasions. Dorchester soon scored. Clifton U11s always keep their heads up and after some hard play managed to equalise. Dorchester later made it to the final so we did well to draw this.

Next up was Colchester. We won this 1-0. Having started off well we let Colchetser into the game and made heavy work of keeping the score 1-0.

Next up were Tor who put up a brave spirit. This was a white wash at 7-0. The rules state that you should change the rules after leading by more than 6-0 but these are the new rules so they were changed on the hoof (Do you get the feeling I don't like these new rules!)

So we ended the pool joint 1st with Dorchester but behind on tries scored.

It was inevitable but our Achilles heal, Cleve were our opponents in the quarter finals. We put up a strong defence but Cleve were just too good on the day. Their rucking, ball handling and passing were superb and they deservedly beat us 2-0. Well done Cleve.

a number of us stayed on to support Cleve who went on to win the Final 2-0 against Dorchester. So losing to the winning side and drawing earlier in the day to the other finalist was a good result.

Now about these new rules.....You can knock it on and get the uncontested scrum awarded to the side who knocked it on....pull the other one! And when you score you also get to kick off, now you are having a laugh :)

We may not have won the tournament but we did have the best hot dogs...thanks Jim