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Tour 2010 Feedback - Tourist chatter
Mara said: "Sounds you all had a great time. Can I please thank everyone who helped looking after Jamie in my abscence, especially Nigel who took him to the venues and brought him back home safely, Mark for organising everything beforehand and Steve for always being a fab supporter of him and the team.
I heard a thing or two about the trip (obviously second hand)..someone must have been snoring so loudly, that some of the men returned with a sympathetic understanding towards their wives or even slept in the kitchen :-)
As for Helen's comment: surely none of the single ladies would ever go for a boy who is younger than 1979 :-)
I'm glad you've got enough to talk about now to forget my little tent hugging episode a while ago.
Hopefully next year I'll be able to join you with my nanny provided by the rich husband etc :-)"
Steve Holt (Sweeny Tod) sent::Mad Hatters Tour 24 and 25 April"
What would you say would be the perfect rugby tour ? Well we just had it great rugby, fun company, silly hats, silly hats, pants, sailing (!), sun, laughs, ethanol for the big kids and medals.
The weekend started well for most of us arriving at Saracens sporting diverse headgear and looking forward to a rematch against our generous hosts whom we had lately entertained at Waterhall. They were able to supply much better weather than we had managed to provide for them a few weeks earlier.
We played a number of matches on really quite unforgiving ground, and we were nervous of injuries since many players got to experience playing in a different positions to the ones in which they are accustomed to playing. This was useful as none of the players really yet know which position they will end up in as more senior players. Some of the “backs” got to experience the pressure of the front row and were often then quite keen to return again as “glory boys” again but with new found respect for the stamina and commitment required of a forward. Eventually the squad was complete with stragglers arriving from the Vicarage Rd stadium ! The mixed teams remained unbeaten at Saracens and conceded very few tries.
Particular mention to Jamie for his try saving tackling and Noah Jenks for his terrific work rate, scrummaging and rucking.
Back to a great YHA venue in the Lee Valley, where parents chilled and boys played cricket or went sailing at the next door adventure centre. 
After filling up on food we trooped off to a nearby open space where the adults were trounced by the kids at a game of rounders (not helped by 2 dropped catches by Florence – the bells on the hat obscuring the ball was the excuse!) .
The day ended with the kids drifting off to bed while the adults talked, drank and generally made merry, eventually creeping off the most comfortable beds and an odourless night was had by all (the pickled onions really helped).
Checking out of the YHA after a huge cooked breakfast we set sail in the rain towards Twickenham rugby club for a sevens tournament, some faster than others…
The teams had to be rapidly reconfigured as we had understood this to be two mixed sides with uncontested scrums and line-outs. However when we got there we had an A and a B pool. After hasty re-adjustments, wondering if we had enough players actually on the park as yet, there was hardly time to warm up before our 1st game. The Bears Squad was Finn, Finnian, Freddie, Jamie, Josh (C), Kit, Luke, Noah, Oliver, Seb, Stephan, Toby.
Twickenham vs Brighton (Loss 2:1)
This was a difficult match and the boys, some of whom were still waking up. We played to the opposition strength by mauling the ball a lot and we came off second best to a large team. Several silly mistakes resulted in disallowed tries and squandering point scoring opportunities in this match which we felt we should not have lost. We were out scrummaged in the first half but Noah Jenks came on to play a man of the match game for the second half and we were sad to loose him to injury after this game.
Brighton vs Ealing (W: 4:0)
This match began better, as we remembered our game plan with great defensive play from Luke and Finnian. Josh and Freddie linked well and made the most of well won second phase ball. However the biggest difference was that we remembered that we play a rucking game and this time we put that into practice.
Brighton vs Grasshoppers (W 4:0)
Toby played particularly well in this game, quick to the breakdown and winning plenty of ball with his harassing and chasing. Kit let no-one round the outside, where the opposition tried to outflank us. We linked at half back well making the most of Freddie, giving him ball and space… an unstoppable combination.
Brighton vs Saracens (W: 4:1)
Terrific scrummaging and a far better forward performance with an outstanding match from Seb gave the backs plenty of ball in this game which we never looked like loosing. Oliver picked up some well deserved tries for all his hard work all day. Great tacking from Jamie and a terrific first try from Stephan made this a comprehensive victory over our friends at Saracens. Although we conceded a late consolation try, we were into the final.
Brighton vs Twickenham (Win 4:0)
We never looked like loosing this game, although by this time we were battling to keep players fit enough to play after the bruising first rounds but we were clearly fitter and more skilful. The earlier defeat was soon rectified in the best possible way. Everyone played their part in this game, the defence was resolute and the attacking options explored relentlessly. We ran out well deserved champions and the teams enjoyed receiving their medals at the clubhouse after a bit of body popping from some dancing members of the squad ! A terrific end to a great tour. Well done all and thanks to Smithers and Jaws"
Anon sent: "As a virgin on tour I would like to thank all involved. what a great weekend. Personally I had a fantastic time, even getting lost was sort of fun. As a new comer to the club I wasn't to say that the performance put in by the boys was exceptional and was reflected in the results. Deserved winners for their commitment, dedication and strength, which of course reflects the great training they receive.
By the way can anyone tell me why I have woken up this morning almost unable to walk. I have bruised arms and legs and have a memory loss of the last part of the night at the YHA."
Smithers... sent: "Just to say a massive thank you to everyone involved in the Tour especially Jaws for the organisation, Maverick & Broadsword for our spiritual guidance, Red Riding Hood for his fortitude but most importantly Rosie, Luke, Craig, Teddy, Tilly, Harry, Ivo, Murray & Jack for allowing us all to follow our players/soldiers into battle.......
To ALL of the players we must say thank you for providing us with the perfect finish to the season and trust that each & everyone of them has enjoyed taking part this w/e & this year.
If you have any photos from the w/e could you please forward them on so we can get them on the website & if anybody has the time to jot down a brief résumé of the Tour we would like to include that as well. Many thanks"
Helen sent: "Hear hear!! Many thanks to all the coaches for sharing their great skills and for being so patient teaching the new boys the winning Brighton 'method'. Freddie has been tortured several times at school to share these secrets but has held out in spite of now having no toe nails. Tour was great by the way and many thanks to all the organisers.."
Sonya sent:"Fantastic weekend!!! Smithers & Jaws you did us proud. All the boys played so well & enjoyed taking part in the tour. Red riding hood enjoyed the Buffalo game alot & I being the naughty girl."
Helen sent: "Request from Pasquale to all the single ladeeez of the club....When looking for a mate this year, could they add to their list of desirable male characteristics, (manly disposition, no gut etc) BORN AFTER 20/07/79!! Much as Pas enjoyed being bossed around as the 'boy' on the tour, he feels it's only fair that someone else gets an opportunity in this role."
Steve sent:"What happens on tour stays on tour!"