Our Under 8s made parents, coaches, siblings and team mates alike proud to be an 'Ensian. They dazzled with their skills, showed amazing passion that sadly flowed over into emotion and tears (not a dry eye in the house - myself included!) when Rams lost to Titans in the Plate Semi and then more tears again when Titans were pipped in the Plate Final by Dartfordian Tigers losing by 1 try in the last seconds!

The tears of defeat was soon forgotten though when in the words of Nick Oakley ‘two great teams became one awesome squad’ and they all went up on stage to receive the runners up Plate for Titans from Gloucester Rugby Premiership players Rob Cook and Matt Kavesic.

But the tour was more than just about winning it showed what happens when friends gel as a team and play their socks off for each other! Thank you for your hard work, amazing determination and conduct on tour boys - you made us all very proud!

Thank you coaches Phil, Robin and Neale and thanks to Mark for getting the tour rolling and for bringing Theo we needed that sub and Luke for all the skills training and Parent Managers Simon, Sarah and Chris and of course without whom it wouldn't of been possible Coach and Tour Manager Elaine!

A special mention should also go to Robin Kangaroo Court Judge extraordinaire. It was superb that everyone got done! Carlsberg shaken not stirred probably the rankest, fizziest can of froth in the world - brilliant fun!

See you there next year

Coach Gareth ps millions of pics on the FB page!

Squad statistics: 84 tries in total between 14 players a try just under every 2 minutes! Average tries scored 6 per player. Highest numbers of tries scored Jack Hayter 11, Finn Suter 10, Thomas Croskell 9

Rams Stats: 42 tries

Drew 9:9 vs Bromley (Alex 4, Thomas 1, Carter 3, Rhys 1 PT)

Won 9:7 vs Dartfordian Lions (Alfie 5, Rhys 1, Thomas 2, Carter 1)

Drew 8:8 vs Walsall (Alfie 1, Rhys 1, Thomas 4, Carter 1, Theo 1)

Lost 12:9 vs Maidenhead Tigers (Alfie 1, Rhys 1, Alex 1, Thomas 1, Carter 2, Theo 3)

Lost Plate Semi v Titans 9:7 (Alfie 1, Rhys 2, Alex 1, Thomas 1, Theo 2)

Titans Stats: 42 tries

Lost vs Old Coventrians 6:5 (Jack 2, Ollie 1, William 1, Cameron 1)

Lost vs Dartfordian Tigers12:6 (Finn 3, Cameron 2, Sam 1)

Lost vs Old Rutlishians 9:7 (Jack 3, Finn 4)

Won vs 7:4 vs Maidenhead Lions (Jack 1, Ollie 2, William 1, Joseph 1, Cameron 2)

Plate Semi vs Rams Won 9:7 (Jack 3, Ollie 2, William 2, Finn 1, Cameron 1)

Plate Final vs Dartfordian Tigers lost 9:8 (Jack 2, Ollie 2, William 2, Finn 2)

U8 Awards:

Club Player of the Tour: Thomas

Coaches Player of the Tour: Rhys

Parents Player of the Tour: Jack

Players Player of the Tour: Alfie

Day 1 Player of the Day: Rams Thomas & Titans Finn

Muppet of Day 1: Tour Manager Elaine! (for missing the first night of her own event!)

Day 2 Player of the Day: Rams Nathan & Titans Cameron

Muppet of Day 2: Ollie! (for bashing too many players AKA giving some back....)

Parents Stats:

200 pints drunk; much Pimms and Prosecco sipped and 64 burgers, 70 sausages and a tonne of fish and chips eaten! Good time had by all!