PAN DOWN SCREEN FOR OLDER REPORTS
This weekend saw the Grimsby U16s Rugby Team travel to Leeds as an invitation to both train with the Premiership team and then to watch them in action against Cardiff in the Heineken Cup (which they won 48-3!). Not only did they receive individual coaching from such stars as England 's Ian Balshaw, but also witnessed displays from non other than the famous Jono Lomu, and Justin Marshall. They were accompanied on the training ground by the Grimsby U13s who have also had a good season thus far.
Grimsby U16s rugby team have over the past two years gone from strength to strength which all bodes well for the senior team in the next few years. This weekend's success for the seniors included teenagers who have emerged from the very strong junior section and there are more up and coming lads to follow. With a now well established Squad of 24 players and a recent successful tour of Ireland , we have witnessed the growth of a team spirit brimming with confidence. TheU16s are yet to lose to county opposition this season, winning and drawing all their matches.
The Squad is built up from a wide spread of local area Schools coupled with the growing appeal of Rugby in education this will only improve the quality and ability available to our local team. To date numerous boys have progressed into the County set-up and have had trials for 3 counties. Currently Grimsby are represented by, Joe Wright, Adam Beeken, Ali Thomson (Toll Bar) Steve Jackson (Matthew Humberston), Sam Reeve, Joe Parkinson (Immingham), and Will Pridgeon (Louth). Alongside these boys there are other established ex county players like Callum Hill, Jamie Dennis and Phil Stark, Tom Baker, Jim Mulenga and Tom Love who all have demonstrated the potential to play at the top level.
The squad has a well established coaching and management team in Clive Dennis , Adrian Wright , Mike Reeve and Rob Beeken who are always keen to hear from and welcome new players, parents or any persons wishing to help with the team. Next season will see this team join the 3 counties league where they hope to follow in the foot steps of the current successful U17's team. It will also see the promotion of some of the boys into the Colts to further enhance their development.