U7s: St Andrews under 7's played three closely fought games with Rugby Lions and were fairly equally matched with plenty of good fluid play. Both teams demonstrated strong passing and defensive play with Rugby Lions managing to secure the edge over St Andrews in the end.

U8s: St Andrews 6 Rugby Lions 7 (1)
St Andrews began the match strongly demonstrating some good defensive play, however, Rugby Lions soon saw an opportunity to make a break and score a try. St Andrews kept up the pressure and showed some impressive tagging skills which slowed Rugby Lions as they tried to penetrate St Andrews defence. Captain William Morgan lead by example and scored three tries in the first half whilst the rest of his team pulled together and tagged furiously.
A further try was scored for St Andrews by Thomas Love to edge them into a 4 -2 lead at half time. An early try in the second half by Rugby Lions put pressure on St Andrews but Joel Cox responded with a try.
Both teams worked hard with excellent support and defensive play to provide an exciting and fast paced game with Rugby Lions clocking up the tries. Once again Joel Cox scored for St Andrews only for Rugby Lions to edge the win in the last seconds of the game.

U8s: St Andrews 4 Rugby Lions 5 (2)
Good passing and support play by Rugby Lions found St Andrews on the back foot early in the first half but St Andrews demonstrated some effective defensive play to keep them in the game. William Morgan side-stepped his way to two tries for St Andrews with his speed proving too much for Rugby Lions. Rugby Lions technical strengths allowed them to keep up the pace in this end-to-end half and they were able to equal the score at 2-2 on the whistle for half-time. The second half began with St Andrews in fighting spirit pushing forward in a bid to break through Rugby Lions defence.
However, Rugby Lions had other ideas and through their confident tagging held St Andrews at bay. Both teams held firm and did not give up which made for an equally matched game with Harjan Devgun scoring two impressive tries for St Andrews. Once again St Andrews were pipped right at the end of the game with a winning try for Rugby Lions in a closely fought match.

U10s: St Andrews v The Lions
Game One - Two minutes into the game and Andrews were awarded a scrum in the Lions half. Scrum half Matty Crofts passed a quick ball to Elliott Morgan who pushed through to score a great try for the Andrews. Lions where quick to respond and pushed Andrews back through strong forwards work in the rucks pushing Andrews off the ball. Andrews countered with wide ball and surging runs making the game close with both sides denied try's through strong defence and tackles. Sam Elliott made space to run in a try with excellent side stepping for Andrews. Lions scored another try making it 1-2 at half time.
Changes to the Andrews side in the second half were made and both teams battled to win territory. Lions made ground and looked the more disciplined side and capitalised scoring two more try's. With 4 minutes to go and two tries down Andrews began to win more ball and ground. Adam Shaw took advantage and shrugging off several tackles used his pace and strength to score. Team Captain Billy Adam ripped the ball and drove for the try line to score the equaliser on the whistle. Final Score 20-20 in a very close competitive game.

Game Two - Both teams were keen to do battle again and parents and spectators where not disappointed. Great work by both sets of forwards kept the game close. George Mortimer Lane - prop for Andrews had a tremendous game and constantly turned over the ball. Lions were first to score drawing Andrews into the break down then pushing the ball wide to overlap the backs and score a great try. Adam Shaw got one back for Andrews in the second half and Sam Elliott was denied a second try by just stepping into touch. Lions determination paid off with lots of possession and scored the winning try to win the game 2 - 1.

A special mention goes to Stephan Bailey of the Andrews who played for Lions to make up the numbers and gave 100% in both matches. He contributed at every break down and repeatedly created quick ball for Lions. Well done Stephan!

U11s: Rugby St Andrews 14 Lions 21: With Lions unable to host this fixture Saints offered to take all the mini section at Ashlawn Grounds. The Saints u11s played a stirring game against their local rivals who were genuinely surprised at the skill and committment of the home side.
Saints defence kept the bigger Lions squad at bay closing them down in countless times in a very even first half. As time was running out Lions cored what the home side thought would be the decisive try after a speculative kick through, but Saints were not finished and hit back with a try of their own almost immediatley.
Deep into injury time Lions crashed over to secure a win. Although disappointed Andrews lads could be proud of their achievements, the entire squad (including Ollie) played their hearts out.

U12s: RSA 0 Rugby Lions 12: RSA's faced local team Rugby Lions at Ashlawn Grounds on a lovely, sunny, Sunday morning. The conditions were ideal for what was to become a closely fought derby match.
From the kick off, the saints found themselves under a lot of pressure from a lion's team that was running the ball from all directions.
But good defence form the both the saints forwards and the back division kept the Lions at bay. The forwards were evenly matched in the scrums, with lions having the edge in the line outs. The lions scored their first try after a number of rucks and quick ball to the back line to score after having stretched the saint's defence.
The second half was contested evenly with saints having an opportunity to level the score, but squandered it, on the lions try line. After a number of changes in the saint's team, the lions took full advantage by kicking a high up and under ball that bounced over the defender's head and the oncoming attackers pouncing on the loose ball to score the try, to make it 12-0. Overall a very good performance by the Saints in this hard fought match.
Although nearing the end of the season. The Saints team have and are still improving with every match. The Man of the match for the forwards went to Sam Hirons for the passion he put in, during the game. With the Man of the match for the
backs going to fullback Jatinder Devgun after putting in a good display at fullback and for his try saving tackle near the end of the match.

U12s: Nuneaton Tournament
Eight teams from the Midlands region contested in the Nuneaton RFC's Invitation tournament. The day turned from snow to a warm, sunny afternoon. The conditions were ideal, although there were small flutters of snow now and then. Starting with the leagues, RSA played a very tough opener against Market Bosworth. Playing seven minutes each way the pressure was on to score. Market Bosworth, pinned RSA in their own half for the majority of the match, but good defence from Saints held on.

Game 2 was played against a Coalville side that dominated the first half, playing down hill and scoring to lead 5-0. RSA pressure led to a try by captain Jack Walden who burst through the Coalville defence for 5-5. Much of the second half was played in the Coalville half, but good defence kept the Saints at bay.

Game 3, straight after, was against confident eventual winners Lutterworth, who have being playing well all season. RSA were no match as the opposition scored four tries.

Shield semi-finals: With the league points totalled up. RSA went into the shield semi-finals against a Leicester Forest East team. RSA were confident winners with six tries from Rory Evans, Jack Walden, Joe Fokes, Josh Lorimer and Kieran Walden (2).

Final: In the shield final, RSA met Coalville again and lapsed as the opposition scored two tries in the first half after some poor defending. The tiredness took toll, as the Saints tried but could not break the Coalville defence.
This is the first tournament that the majority of the team have played in, but the experience that they have built will benefit them as we improve.