The Mighty Rugger Rats stoically braved the cold temperatures and driving 40mph winds on Sunday morning, building on their skills learnt in the previous week.
Congratulations to players of the week – Dexter, Stanley, Edward and Seth.

The Minis played Old Coventrians at home in the return fixture from the start of the season. All coaches commented on the great benchmark this fixture provides and the visible development of both the Nuns and OC’s players.

U7’s - Jackie McDevitt, Team Manager, described the morning as ‘Cold but fun’ and ‘constantly swapping teams so everyone was playing and no-one getting cold’. 20 nuns and 8 OCs in a return fixture which showed just how much the kids had improved since September. Jackie goes onto say ‘Play only stopped when the referees could no longer feel their hands’.

U8’s – the 26 players put on a great rugby show in testing conditions. Great tries were to be seen on all three pitches, Mike Harris, Team Manager, was exuberant with praise for ‘the good defence, brilliant team work and some standout individual performances’. Dean Ballard, Head Coach, adds ‘Well done to all players. The coaching team were very impressed today with the progress you have all made over recent weeks’.

U9’s also battled the weather on the exposed high ground across the river. Pete Walton, Head Coach, describes the morning – ‘Today was about shirts not trophies for me, hence the format change. Shirt winners today we’re James Blackmore, Sollie Wilkes & Joseph Johnson. James, JP & Sollie played out their skins putting in tackle after tackle. Wally went on to say the whole team are ‘still on a high’ following the great rugby played.

U10s looked forward to the return fixture against OCs following a close and highly charged contest early in the season. Both clubs fielded two teams each, with a Nuns player sportingly making up the numbers for the OCs in their first match when OCs were short.

Our U10s have been growing in confidence and ability over the course of the season and gave it their all on Sunday, winning three of the four games played. Jason, Head Coach, tells us the U10’s was ‘dominating in the ruck, tackling superbly with intelligent ball handling and a well organised line to score some great tries’.

Gregg Team Manager, picks up from Jason ‘Some exciting rugby in bitterly cold conditions! It was great to hear both sets of parents applauding. Thanks to all at the OCs, an enjoyable morning of Rugby. Well done boys, great job coaches’.

The U11’s also played a parallel fixture at Berkswell & Balsall RFC due to squad size.
U11’s Centurions, who travelled to Berkswell &Balsall RFC, played some great rugby and showed great spirit against a worthy opposition who were also great hosts. Team Manager Darlo commented on how ‘the boys are coming on and developing into some great young rugby stars’.
U11’s Spartans, at home against OC’s, showed great team work and team bonding and playing brilliant all-round rugby. Darlo went on to say ‘Every player stepped up to the plate and showed some great advancement and learning in their young rugby disciplines’.

The U12’s held their belated Christmas party last Sunday – Merry Christmas!

Juniors

U13's lost 9-1 away to OC’s. Claire Harrison, team Manager said ‘The score doesn’t reflect the way they played. Great determination and drive throughout. A difficult week to pick a Man of the Match as there were so many key performances’.

U14’s unfortunately also lost to away to OC’s. 'Next week is another week. Onwards and upwards was the message' from Team Manager Phil Sumner.

U15’s led 37-0 with 8 mins to go against OC's. The opposition called it and said no more. ‘What a result. Could not have asked for more today boys. Superstars all of you. Weather conditions were awful. We were superb. If we play well and achieve we should believe!!! If we believe we will triumph. We have worked hard this season and the hard work is paying off’ said the ecstatic Team Manager Graham.

U16’s carried on where they left off at Derby last weekend, with a strong win over Rugby St Andrews, 77-17. Head Coach Dunc Carter was impressed with the ‘Great all-round team performance’. A heavily depleted RSA side could only field 12 players due to injury and no doubt this is reflected in the score. In a real demonstration of the Rugby Core Values, several Nuns players donned the RSA jersey to ensure the fixture could be played. All credit to the lads for ensuring that Rugby was the ultimate winner on the day.

Seniors

Colts – had no fixture on Saturday, however 15 Nuns Colts represented North Warwickshire in the U17 District finals against Rugby District. Rugby District ultimately won the game and Colts Head Coach, John Beart was full of praise for the whole squad ‘The 15 Nuns Colts players plus 2 from Sutton Coldfield and 3 from Solihull school ALL did themselves proud in a highly contested game. The North Warwickshire side scoring more tries 3 -2 with majority of Rugby’s points coming from the boot.

Nuns Colts take on Loughborough Academy on Wednesday 30th Jan, under the lights, at Nuneaton old Eds. Come down and support your Colts in what is undoubtedly going to be a great game of Wednesday Night Lights Rugby.

The 1st XV lost away to Syston in a close scoring game 20-23. Syston are a team you never take for granted and with several first team picks unavailable it was always going to be a tough match. The Nuns need to focus on their next game, which is Sandbach at home on 9th Feb.