The Mini’s 2017-2018 season, started at the aptly named ‘Openingstoernooi’ tournament at Delft. Seven of the thirteen-man squad were playing their first ever Mini’s game after a single training session earlier in the week.

Had the weather not been so warm and sunny, we would have had a near riot on our hands given the elongated schedule, as it was almost mid-day until we played in our first match and the mind numbingly long delays between games. Then again, if the bar had been open, we’d have been celebrating well before the Mini’s lifted the winning trophy late in the afternoon.

BSN 1 – 1 Haarlem (1)
A lapse of concentration, saw the Mini’s concede in the first phase of play, when Haarlem’s fast winger scored on the left wing. It certainly woke the Mini’s from their trance, as they went on to dominate the rest of the play. A great team try brought the Mini’s level, with almost the whole team handling the ball before Augustin grounded the ball on the wing.  Although they dominated most of the action afterwards, they couldn’t find their way through to score again.

Augustin makes it pay!

BSN 1 – 0 The Dukes (1)
The Benji’s and Mini’s had lost against The Dukes in the last tournament of the previous season, so they were looking to gain revenge. The first half ended try-less, despite a dominant performance against a well structure Dukes team. The Mini’s score early in the second half and despite chances to extend the score, the Mini’s closed the game out for a well-deserved victory.

Archie up for revenge!

BSN 2 – 1 RRC (2)
The Mini’s waddled onto the pitch after gorging in burgers, chips and crockets for lunch and it showed… as picking the ball up seemed to be a challenge against a much bigger Rotterdam team, who had obviously had been eating something we hadn’t! With our forward David out in the first half due to a knock, the Mini’s were repeatedly bundled off the ball by the bigger RRC players. 0-1 down at the interval, the Mini’s kicked into gear in the second half, scoring twice to turn the game around.

Henry breaking the line

BSN 3 – 0 CLU Delft/Breda
Disaster… A bye! And worse still, an even longer wait to the next game, which as group two leaders, was the final!

BSN 2 – 0 Haarlem (2)
Everyone felt deep-fried in the sun by the time the final arrived against group one winners Haarlem (2). The Mini’s continued to play good team rugby, dominating play and possession. A try either side of the break by Archie saw the Mini’s win their first tournament of the season after some late pressure by Haarlem.

Winners… well done lads, a great team performance!

Captain: Josh

Squad: Archie, Augustin, Christopher, David, Gabriel, Henry, Jack, Jamie, Josh, Nicolas, Thibault, Valter, Viktor

Man of the match: David

Coaches: Daran, Manuel, Wayne

Photos: Wayne