Hi Guys,
Rugby date 27/3/10 away against Fleetwood 3rd score 61-0
Unfortunately this weeks fixture ended in the worse defeat we have suffered this season, but there was still something in the game that could give heart. With the inclusion of yet another new boy Killion, in the second row the Burns scrum was solid and pushed back the Fleetwood forwards on numerous occasions. Also in defence as we where for so long during the match, the endless tackles made by the Burn boys were bone shattering on occasions. However the simple truth was that, the Fleetwood that came to Ramsgreave where not the Fleetwood we met this day. A much more youthful team awaited us with a average age of 19, Fleetwood managed to run round us on numerous occasions. With very little ball we managed to threaten the opposition on a few occasions but things weren't going for us and Fleetwood often came away with the ball. The spirit of the Blackburn team was magnanimous, playing up to the last whistle, but the efforts where not to come to much and the youthful Fleetwood side took the victory.
With a very packed weekend ahead we look forward to travelling to Carnforth on Good Friday I know this isn't the best warm up to the game, but we managed to fulfill another fixture and that is the most important thing as we also travel to Barrow on Easter Monday. This could prove a difficult fixture to fulfill so we need to play every game left this season. Bearing in mind the game on Friday maybe a light session on Thursday with Steve just to stretch us out will be the tonic needed. Carnforth are currently 9th in the league and also suffered a heavy loss this weekend, away at Barrow but they are the home side and we must respect them. So can you all let me or P.G. Know your availability as soon as possible.
Regards Carlos (captain).
Sunday, 28 March 2010
Sunday, 14 March 2010
Winning ways at Ramsgreave
Hi Guys,
Rugby date 13/3/10 home against Bae Warton 40-3
This weeks game saw the return to Ramsgreave of a few old faces, playing a very good Bae Warton side the old guard came out in force to show they still have what it takes. From the off the Blackburn team playing the first half into the prevailing wind blowing through Ramsgreave, took the game right up to Bae. Controlling the ball when in possession and distributing through the backs with cutting accuracy. The pressure from the strong Blackburn pack soon started to tell, with a couple of good scrums setting up good field position. The experienced half back Richard Bradford faultless in his decision making sending lock Martin Jessop through to hand off a would be tackler and open Blackburns account. Unfortunately stand off Eddie Holden not making the conversion on this visit but was to put that right, not missing another kick all game. With further try's coming from Adam (Ollie) Alstead, Jimmy Townes and the returning Matt Elison back from his knee operation. The Burn side defensively where magnificent repelling all that Bae could throw at us, with superb tackles been made man for man. Marc Grimes at full back and Dave O'Sullivan putting in the big hits. The half time whistle came with all the team enjoying their efforts, 26-0 was the half time score.
As I asked everyman to up the efforts for the second half we kicked into the Bae forwards, as expected the visitors came straight back at us but once again the burn defence was resolute. Some really fantastic tackling and rucking from all the players, with also some good tactical kicking the Burn team slowly made there way down field keeping the visitors pinned deep in their own half. Some excellent work at the line out with Richard (Tiny) Turner at the front and Lee Satolka in the middle, making life for the visitors difficult. But from a line out inside the visitors 22, came the move of the match. A clean take at the front from Tiny been Hoisted high by P.G. and Jessie, releasing Scott Foster on the loop into the 5 meter Chanel and off loading into the captain's waiting hands, for me to go over in the corner and start the score board ticking over again. The next Burn score been ran in by new comer Mike, on for his debut playing on the wing and taking his opportunity well. Bae were awarded a late penalty and kicked the consolation points to round off a very good day at the office. All credit to Bae who where worthy opponents and gave us some hard tackles and knocks, but it was Burn's power and percision that ruled the day. My thanks to all the players including Mike (alf) williams John Toms and andy Toms, whom without the game could of gone a different way.
This coming week we welcome Fylde to Ramsgreave, currently 5th in the league won 9 drawn 3 lost 7 with 49n points. This will be a hard ask again but can all players let myself or P.G know their availability as soon as possible. Fylde had a win at home this week but lost the week before against Bae, this has to give us some encouragement buoyed by win this week. But we will need to work hard at training on Thursday. Steve Llewelyn our coach will be putting us through the paces again. This hard work is starting to pay off with the defence looking solid. So lets keep up the good work and give him some support and something to work with. Once again a big thanks to all the players this week and win or loose on the booze.
Regards Carlos (captain).
Hi Guys,
Rugby date 13/3/10 home against Bae Warton 40-3
This weeks game saw the return to Ramsgreave of a few old faces, playing a very good Bae Warton side the old guard came out in force to show they still have what it takes. From the off the Blackburn team playing the first half into the prevailing wind blowing through Ramsgreave, took the game right up to Bae. Controlling the ball when in possession and distributing through the backs with cutting accuracy. The pressure from the strong Blackburn pack soon started to tell, with a couple of good scrums setting up good field position. The experienced half back Richard Bradford faultless in his decision making sending lock Martin Jessop through to hand off a would be tackler and open Blackburns account. Unfortunately stand off Eddie Holden not making the conversion on this visit but was to put that right, not missing another kick all game. With further try's coming from Adam (Ollie) Alstead, Jimmy Townes and the returning Matt Elison back from his knee operation. The Burn side defensively where magnificent repelling all that Bae could throw at us, with superb tackles been made man for man. Marc Grimes at full back and Dave O'Sullivan putting in the big hits. The half time whistle came with all the team enjoying their efforts, 26-0 was the half time score.
As I asked everyman to up the efforts for the second half we kicked into the Bae forwards, as expected the visitors came straight back at us but once again the burn defence was resolute. Some really fantastic tackling and rucking from all the players, with also some good tactical kicking the Burn team slowly made there way down field keeping the visitors pinned deep in their own half. Some excellent work at the line out with Richard (Tiny) Turner at the front and Lee Satolka in the middle, making life for the visitors difficult. But from a line out inside the visitors 22, came the move of the match. A clean take at the front from Tiny been Hoisted high by P.G. and Jessie, releasing Scott Foster on the loop into the 5 meter Chanel and off loading into the captain's waiting hands, for me to go over in the corner and start the score board ticking over again. The next Burn score been ran in by new comer Mike, on for his debut playing on the wing and taking his opportunity well. Bae were awarded a late penalty and kicked the consolation points to round off a very good day at the office. All credit to Bae who where worthy opponents and gave us some hard tackles and knocks, but it was Burn's power and percision that ruled the day. My thanks to all the players including Mike (alf) williams John Toms and andy Toms, whom without the game could of gone a different way.
This coming week we welcome Fylde to Ramsgreave, currently 5th in the league won 9 drawn 3 lost 7 with 49n points. This will be a hard ask again but can all players let myself or P.G know their availability as soon as possible. Fylde had a win at home this week but lost the week before against Bae, this has to give us some encouragement buoyed by win this week. But we will need to work hard at training on Thursday. Steve Llewelyn our coach will be putting us through the paces again. This hard work is starting to pay off with the defence looking solid. So lets keep up the good work and give him some support and something to work with. Once again a big thanks to all the players this week and win or loose on the booze.
Regards Carlos (captain).
Monday, 8 March 2010
Hi Guys,
Rugby date 6/3/10 away against Preston called off
The beginning of the end; death of social rugby at Blackburn.
Rugby date 6/3/10 away against Preston called off
The beginning of the end; death of social rugby at Blackburn.
disappointment rained down at Ramsgreave this weekend and unfortunately I don't mean the results, as bad as they were. Myself I travelled with the 1st xv to Lymm, top of the table and looking even further apart from ourselves. In fairness to my colleagues who made the journey we where a Miss-mash of three teams with myself propping up the subs bench. But the guys never gave up and put in some superb rugby, given different circumstances and the rub of the green it could of all looked different. But I went along with the senior team knowing that the third team we had managed to cobble together where at least going to travel and gain a much needed point. In case not everyone is not aware of the situation with the third team you can call off 4 games then you are kicked out of the league. On Saturday P.G. and myself had managed to convince 12 players that it was worth the trip to Hoppers. With myself away doing my club duty and filling up P.G. also offered to fill up to the 2nd xv on the understanding that the side would travel with Andy Toms to run and organise them. However the 2nds playing at home were only fielding 11, and felt this wasn't good enough and therefor stripped the 3rds of a further 4 players. Down to 8 a couple of older lads decided that they felt this was not going to be enough, and pulled out. I don't blame these lads we had cajoled them into playing and going to Hoppers with 12 was bad enough but 8 would be a hard ask. So down to 6 and even though the rules state you can travel with as few as 4 would you ? I think its time that management at all levels sat down and decided what matters at Blackburn. When I first came to Blackburm in 1992 we boasted 4 senior teams plus a vets side, I realise that rugby in our area is not the first sport. however the problems at club are not totally the blame of the area. We are lacking numbers and need an influx of players through hard work and recruitment. But I was under the impression that we see out this season in survival mode, with three teams intact and if that means playing with 12 or 11 you do it so all the teams can gain the vital point to stay in the league. No one has said to me at the official side of the club that the third fifteen are expendable, yet some people think this is the case. In loosing the social side at Blackburn the club will suffer. Myself a 42 year old overweight unfit player will not sustain 2nd team rugby week in week out. The level of fitness is beyond me and I enjoy the level I play at with the thirds, passing on any experience I have and the passion I feel for the game and the club. It would be great to have a 2nd team that can put 18 out every week but should this come at the expense of social rugby I think not. The facts are that the majority of paid up members are third team players and would have no where to play, some of the players I enjoy playing alongside each week are not yet or maybe wont be at the level to contend with 2nd team rugby on a weekly basis. There needs to be a consensus that we are surviving this season with three teams intact or not. I await notification one way or the other is social rugby important at Blackburn. I have made my case, or do disband yet another team and loose members and support for the sake of ego's.
This weeks fixture is a home game against Bae, we must win this game to stand any chance of staying in this league if we dont get kicked out. please could all players let myself or P.G know thier availability as soon as possible.
Regards a not very happy Carlos (captain).
Monday, 1 March 2010
Hi Guys,
Rugby date 27/2/10 home against Tarleton 2's score 0-29
Blackburn 3's shock drubbing for absent skipper, what a shock result for the team even with the one man recking machine at loose head called Barclay. Who I hear was breaking prop forwards for fun again, he says he hasn't had so much fun since allegedly breaking Baz Baron's jaw. As I was away on official business, watching the England team for possible third team players, none worthy of the position though sadly. I left the team in the capable hands of manager and new father P.G. With what looked like a decent team on paper, I felt confident that we could put up a good show and maybe record a second win of the year. The lads in the team took the game straight to Tarleton, and put early pressure on the visitors. But maybe if Tarleton 1's had had a game we may have had a different result. It was soon obvious that Tarleton had travelled well, and ran in a try from their half after all the early pressure Blackburn had put them under. The regular stalwarts in the team making numerous tackles in defence but Tarleton where to strong and the points kept on ticking up. Dave O'sullivan was awarded m.o.m for his valiant efforts by P.G. And the rest of the team should all be patted on the back for the way they kept on going till the end.
In the mean time I was sampling copious amounts of Fullers pride, a local southern brew that makes me wobbly on the legs and slur a lot. It was the best thing the weekend had to offer with the tension caused watching the national side play rugby my grandmother could read, never mind the Irish. The Irish defence was superb as England tried and tried to pick a line through the green wall, only to be overturned on numerous occasions. With the time ticking by England grabbed the lead but then seemed to sit back hoping for a penalty to take them clear, where as Ireland fought to the end stealing the points. With the defeat complete and me a pound lighter having had a bet on who would score the first try. I made a hasty retreat to the pub and continued to drown my sorrows.
Having now recovered from the ale, I look towards next weeks game away against old rivals Preston Grasshoppers. Having called the home fixture off, against Preston this will be our first meeting of the season. I am looking to put the defeat of this week behind us and get on with playing rugby.If all available players could inform me or P.G. as soon as possible. And please remember training on Thursday night lets get back on the winning horse boys.
Regards Carlos (captain).
Rugby date 27/2/10 home against Tarleton 2's score 0-29
Blackburn 3's shock drubbing for absent skipper, what a shock result for the team even with the one man recking machine at loose head called Barclay. Who I hear was breaking prop forwards for fun again, he says he hasn't had so much fun since allegedly breaking Baz Baron's jaw. As I was away on official business, watching the England team for possible third team players, none worthy of the position though sadly. I left the team in the capable hands of manager and new father P.G. With what looked like a decent team on paper, I felt confident that we could put up a good show and maybe record a second win of the year. The lads in the team took the game straight to Tarleton, and put early pressure on the visitors. But maybe if Tarleton 1's had had a game we may have had a different result. It was soon obvious that Tarleton had travelled well, and ran in a try from their half after all the early pressure Blackburn had put them under. The regular stalwarts in the team making numerous tackles in defence but Tarleton where to strong and the points kept on ticking up. Dave O'sullivan was awarded m.o.m for his valiant efforts by P.G. And the rest of the team should all be patted on the back for the way they kept on going till the end.
In the mean time I was sampling copious amounts of Fullers pride, a local southern brew that makes me wobbly on the legs and slur a lot. It was the best thing the weekend had to offer with the tension caused watching the national side play rugby my grandmother could read, never mind the Irish. The Irish defence was superb as England tried and tried to pick a line through the green wall, only to be overturned on numerous occasions. With the time ticking by England grabbed the lead but then seemed to sit back hoping for a penalty to take them clear, where as Ireland fought to the end stealing the points. With the defeat complete and me a pound lighter having had a bet on who would score the first try. I made a hasty retreat to the pub and continued to drown my sorrows.
Having now recovered from the ale, I look towards next weeks game away against old rivals Preston Grasshoppers. Having called the home fixture off, against Preston this will be our first meeting of the season. I am looking to put the defeat of this week behind us and get on with playing rugby.If all available players could inform me or P.G. as soon as possible. And please remember training on Thursday night lets get back on the winning horse boys.
Regards Carlos (captain).