Aylesford Bulls RFC

Under 8s…

HMS Bulls
Ship’s Log
29 April - 1 May, 2022

We sailed, without incident, from safe harbour in Kent to the Suffolk shoreline on the twenty ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord Two Thousand and Twenty Two.
After weighing anchor at Kessingland, we took about preparing a landing party
for a raid on Great Yarmouth, where several marauding bands had gathered.
The next day we arrived at the place, it was a great meadow with enough hay to thatch a village and a half.
After a few moments we encountered a crew of cutthroats from a sloop named the _Buzzard_. Bellowing out a deafening war cry, our party tore and rent their way through the _Buzzard_’s stunned crew without mercy.
No sooner was this foe smite, that another appeared into view. Renegades from the port of Dartford no less. This was a sterner test, but again our band of nautical brothers, mercilessly swept their opponents from the field.
There was to be no respite, our brave crew mates immediately came upon the vanguard of a vast force from the infamous Man-O-War _Trailfinder_. This skirmish was a ferocious affair. For the first time our party took some, thankfully minor, injuries but they rallied and held firm, ultimately turning the tide in their favour.
During a short break in hostilities, our raiders drank rum and sharpened cutlasses, readying themselves for the day’s final action. This was against a grisly crew from the brigantine _Royal Tunbridge Wells_. The _Wells_’s company offered some stiff resistance but were eventually seen off with aplomb.
Our party then returned back to ship for a night of merriment and song.
The following afternoon our party formed up against the cream of the _Trailfinder_’s crew. These were hand-picked, battle-hardened mercenaries with a fearful reputation but our gallant crew showed no mercy. Ripping them to shreds in a maelstrom of terrifying brutality.
Now it was time to finish off the final members of the _Trailfinder_’s complement. This was a massacre. The poorly equipped enemy was no match for our mighty shipmates and they quickly succumbed.
Then it was time for the final confrontation of the weekend, it was to be against another band from the notorious port of Dartford. This was a curious encounter, made almost comical by their leader’s incredible enthusiasm and joviality. It turned out to be a stern test with both crews giving as good as they got, the eventual truce was probably the fairest result.
Victorious, our party plundered gold medallions aplenty.
And on their return to ship more booty was conveyed upon them. And much grog was consumed in their honour.

The raiding party:
Max, our crew’s champion and the deadliest of finishers.
Tom, ferocious and skilled in both attack and defence.
Daniel, the keenest and most determined of our band.
Ashton, his bellowing voice rallying our crew time and time again.
Ruben, a silent assassin who goes about his business with merciless efficiency.
Thomas, our mighty oak, he repeatedly stopped his foes dead in their tracks.
Leo, a human cannonball who puts the fear of God into any opponent.
George, an outstanding new recruit who acts like an old hand.
Hannah, our youngest shipmate, she amazes with her ability and fortitude for one so young.
My gratitude to these individuals is unbounded.
Avast me hearties!
Your proud Captain,
The Right Reverend, Doctor Hook Esq.

Aylesford Bulls U10s
29th April to 2nd May

11 of Aylesfords finest U10s headed north to Norfolk for what was, for many of the tourists, their first ever tour.

The excitement levels were huge from all involved and even the traffic and long journeys on the Friday didn't dampen it. All players were excited to receive their shirts in the evening and regale each other with stories of what they intended to due during the games the following day

Our first game on Saturday was at 1230 so lay ins and relaxing morning soon gave way to our 30 minute journey to the rugby club. Any nerves that were lingering soon passed once the tourists got to the site, fully kitted out and in awe of all the teams and players before them.

Despite the interesting field conditions and enough cut grass on and around the pitches to hide our entire team, we got underway in our first game against Ealing Trailfinders. Aylesford started brightly and put in a dominant display with some excellent passing and running. Despite taking an early lead and continuing the dominance. Some quick rucking from Ealing allowed them to score 2 late tries and defeat us by a single try.

With heads still held high, we embarked on our second game against Hampsted. Another fast start with some fantastic support runs and excellent offloading created a score for the Bulls and the teams were level at half time. A few injuries in the second half disrupted the flow and the team suffered another 1 try defeat.

A brief pep talk with the team before the 3rd and final game to ensure heads didn't drop picked the team up and they put in a hugely dominat performance against Dartford. They were the better side at everything in the game and ran out dominant winners to finish the day on a high.

This helped the mood for a fantastic evening of fancy dress celebrations and what I can only assume was several hundred pounds of parents hard earned money spent in the arcades.

Sunday started with great excitement after ending Saturday on a high but with 5 games back to back we knew it would be tough.

Two games against strong Ealing teams and a third against a strong Hamstead team were tough on the squad. A draw and two narrow one try defeats knocked the confidence of the team as the quality of their play deserved so much more. They could be proud of how they played with all 3 oppostions commenting on just how tough the games were compared to what they were used too

A 4th game brought a new opponent in Tunbridge Wells. The squad by this point were cold, exhausted and emotional from a long two days. They dug deep and put in arguably their best performance of the weekend against another very strong opponent who also commented that it was their toughest game they played in the whole tour

With the players tired and energy at an all time low we gathered for our last game of the tour against Dartford. Determined to end on a high the players met on the half way line to carry out their best and loudest rendition of the Tiki Tonga chant which has become synonymous with this team. It seemed to do the trick with the team dominating in every aspect of the game scoring an impressive 5 tries in a resounding win to finish the tour on a high.

The Sunday evening awards were met with excitement and enthusiasm and a great time was had by all. Sadness set in on Monday as the players realised it was time to go home. That didn't stop them discussing when they could next meet up and next go on tour together

A fantastic effort by all involved. Every player did themselves and the club proud. The parents and coaches alike could not have asked for a better attitude all weekend and every single one of the tourists should hold their heads high and be proud

Tourists - Zach W, Zach M, Lochlann, Tristan, Olly, Raia, Jude, Jonathan, Jacob, Cordell and Nathan.