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MARK PETT-RIDGE: 'THE BOYS WORKED SO HARD!'

MARK PETT-RIDGE: 'THE BOYS WORKED SO HARD!'

Rich Ashton15 Jun 2021 - 15:30

Under 15s coach reflects on saving some of the season!

UNDER 15s coach Mark Pett-Ridge has praised his squad’s work rate during the two months of post-lockdown training.

Following a frustrating three months at the start of the year, our kids were finally able to get back in action at the end of March and Mark believes it gave everyone a big boost.

He revealed: “It gave a sense of normality with something to look forward to on a Wednesday and Sunday and by the end of May it was very much back to normal for the boys, while the parents were really enjoying the socialising pitch-side.

“It was key to keep the boys connected with the club, and without getting some action I fear some of the boys may not have come back to playing. Even taking the stage process and adapted rules into account, it really was important.

“We tried to vary the different formats of the game, focussing on upskilling the boys and not on the adapted 15-a-side game.

“The stand-out memory I have was the Sevens festival played in horrible weather and a small squad – the boys worked so hard and surprised themselves how deep they could dig.”

He continued: “During the lockdown the boys had grown and the main progress was they have been able to adjust how they play having become taller and stronger.”

Looking ahead, Mark continued: “We aren’t doing anything in June, but in July we will have a couple of sessions including taking part in the Berkshire Coaches conference, before looking getting together in the second half of August.

“Hopefully by then we’ll be back to normal rugby, but we will train and play to whatever adapted rules the RFU will be allowed to run grassroots rugby.

“The big date in the diary is the first weekend of October when we plan to go on tour to Taunton and watch Rams play Taunton Titans.”

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