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CHILTERN JUNIOR RUGBY LEAGUE 2007 - 08

Welcome to the Chiltern Junior Rugby League. This league is made up of 7 teams who play at Under 13 level. Their games are played between October 2007 and February 2008 with play-offs at the end. There is a team from St Albans - The New Greens Gladiators and one from Hatfield - The Hatfield Comets, (These two teams are junior clubs run by St Albans Centurions). One from Aylesbury - The Aylesbury Knights and four teams from Hemel Hempstead - The Adeyfield Dragons, The Highfield Hawks, The Grovehill Tigers and The Bennetts End Bulldogs. The 'home' fixtures for the St Albans and Hatfield teams will be played at the St Albans Centurions ground, The Recreation Ground, High Street, Colney Heath. The games are all played on Saturday, kicking off at either 10am or 11am. The season starts on October 20th at Hemel Hempsteads ground with an inaugural pre season 9-a-side tournament featuring all the teams, and then games will be played every Saturday until the end of February - and then we will have the 'top four' play-offs.

The Chiltern Rugby League has its own website, where you can check the results and see the league tables.
Click below to be directed to the site.
CHILTERN JUNIOR RUGBY LEAGUE

There are some photos in the 'Gallery' of the first game of the season when the Comets and the Gladiators played each other.

DATE	OPPONENTS	RESULT	SCORE
27-10-07	New Greens Gladiators	Won (A)	14 - 20
03-11-07	Aylesbury Knights	Won (H)	54 - 10
10-11-07	Bennetts End Bulldogs	Won (A)	28 - 30
17-11-07	Grovehill Tigers	Draw (A)	30 - 30
24-11-07	Bye
01-12-07	Highfield Hawks	Won (A)	32 - 36
15-12-07	Adeyfield Dragons	Lost (H)	20 - 32
05-01-08	New Green Gladiators	Won (H)	40 - 20
12-01-08	Aylesbury Knights	Won (A)	4 - 48
19-01-08	Bennetts End Bulldogs	Draw (H)	12 - 12 (Awarded)
26-01-08	Grovehill Tigers	Won (A)	0 - 24
02-02-08	Bye
09-02-08	Highfield Hawks	Won (H)	36 - 10
16-02-08	Adeyfield Dragons	Draw (A)	12 - 12 (Awarded)

DATE	OPPONENTS	RESULT	SCORE
27-10-07	Hatfield Comets	Lost (H)	14 - 20
03-11-07	Bye
10-11-07	Grovehill Tigers	Lost (H)	20 - 36
17-11-07	Highfield Hawks	Won (A)	34 - 4
01-12-07	Bennetts End Bulldogs	Won (H)	Bulldogs failed to turn up - game awarded to Gladiators
08-12-07	Bennetts End Bulldogs	Won (H)	34 - 30
15-12-07	Grovehill Tigers	Won (A)	18 - 22
05-01-08	Hatfield Comets	Lost (A)	20 - 14
12-01-08	Bye
19-01-08	Adeyfield Dragons	Draw (A)	12 - 12 (Awarded)
26-01-08	Highfield Hawks	Won (H)	24 - 0
02-02-08	Northampton Knights	Won (H)	44 - 8 (Double Header)
09-02-08	Adeyfield Dragons	Lost (A)	44 - 4
16-02-08	Grovehill Tigers	Won (H)	32 - 20

Chiltern Junior League - New Strip and Victory For The Comets 03.11.07

Hatfield Comets 56 - 14 Aylesbury Knights
St Albans Centurions junior club, Hatfield Comets not only took possesion of their new strip today, they also took possesion of the rugby field as they ran out comfortable winners against visitors Aylesbury Knights. The Comets mixture of big powerful players in the forwards and speedy, agile backs proved to be to much for the visitors from Buckinghamshire who, although out muscled and out played, never gave up and fought on until the final whistle. Cents other junior club, New Greens Gladiators had a bye this weekend, but are at home next week against Adeyfield Dragons from Hemel Hempstead, kick off 11am.
Next week, The Comets are away at Hemel against Bennetts End Bulldogs.

Below - The Comets show off their new strip.

U13's - Comets Win Again & Gladiators Go Close 10.11.07

New Green Gladiators 20 - 36 Grovehill Tigers
New Greens Gladiators came so close to upsetting the form book with a close run defeat against league leaders Grovehill Tigers. It was end to end stuff as almost everytime the Tigers scored, the New Greens team hit straight back, at one time the score was 20 all, but towards the end of the game, the St Albans boys just couldn't keep the well drilled and more experienced Hemel Hempstead team out. If New Greens keep playing like this, their first victory must be just around the corner - and remember, the two games they have lost this season are to the first and second teams in the league. Still, it wasn't all bad news, today the lads took possesion of their new strip:-

Bennetts End Bulldogs 28 - 30 Hatfield Comets
No match report yet, but it appears that The Comets are still joint top of the league with this great away victory. See Juniors Section for league table.
Under 15's Bennetts End Bulldogs 42 - 12 Hatfield Comets
An unfortunate start to the U.15s' season, but lets not forget, the Hemel teams have been playing together for the last couple of years, and this is the Comets first game - so well done to them

Chiltern Junior League - Gladiators Get First Win, & Comets Draw 17.11.07

Highfield Hawks 4 - 34 New Greens Gladiators (U13's)
Its been a few weeks in coming, but New Greens Gladiators recorded their first win of the season away from home by powering over the Hemel boys of Highfield Hawks. In a comprehensive display of rugby, the St Albans lads never took a backwards step, and at the end ogf the game you could see what this victory meant to them. Even though they only have two points in the league, they still hold onto third place in the table through their good points difference. We are still waiting to see where next weeks game against Aylesbury Knights will be played as the Knights are having a bit of trouble with their pitch.

Hatfield Comets 30 - 30 Grovehill Tigers (U13's)
It was going to be a close game, as the Tigers (1st) played the Comets (2nd) in this top of the league clash. Tony Bottomley, St Albans Centurions president watched the game and said " What a great comeback by the Comets. They were being beaten 20 points to 10 at half time, but they all worked together and almost beat the top team. This game was an excellent advertisement for the game of Rugby League in hertfordshire at this level, and the boys should be really proud of themselves."

Hatfield Comets 4 - 52 Grovehill Tigers (U15's)
In only their second ever game of Rugby League, the Comets Under 15's didn't do too badly against a team that has been playing together for over 2 years. I was told that the only difference between the teams was that the Tigers were well organised and better drilled than the Comets, and that can only be achieved by playing together over a period of time.

Gladiators Claim Points In No Show - Comets Win Again 01.12.07

New Greens Gladiators U.13's claimed the 2 points victory today when their opponents, Bennetts End Bulldogs failed to show. The St Albans boys and their parents were left very disappointed again, as this cancellation came after they had travelled to Aylesbury last weekend only to have that game cancelled due to severe weather conditions. Coach Andy Weldon said " I've never seen a group of boys so disappointed. They really love their rugby. They were out on the pitch warming up at 10am, and the game wasn't supposed to kick off until 11. We had a skills and training session instead, but it doesn't match the real thing." Although next weekend is a bye for the Gladiators, it is hoped that last weeks postponed match against the Knights might be rescheduled. (Also playing - Tigers 32-14 Aylesbury)

Highfield Hawks 32 - 36 Hatfield Comets
Hatfield Comets made the come back of the season at Hemel Hempstead on Saturday. In a close fought game, half time saw the Comets going in at half time 18 - 4 down. The second half was real end to end stuff with with the Hatfield boys out scoring the Hawks by 32 points to 14. Aaron, Judd and Corey stepped up and had a great game, however it was 'Big Sam' that saved the day when he crashed over for Comets last try with only one minute to go. Comets remain top of the Chiltern League after this great win.

Chiltern Junior League - Comets & Gladiators Both Win Again 08.12.07

Highfield Hawks 32 - 36 Hatfield Comets (1st Dec)
Hatfield Comets made the one of the come backs of the season at Hemel Hempstead on Saturday 1st. In a close fought game, half time saw the Comets going in at half time 18 - 4 down. The second half was real end to end stuff with with the Hatfield boys out scoring the Hawks by 32 points to 14. Aaron, Judd and Corey stepped up and had a great game, however it was 'Big Sam' that saved the day when he crashed over for Comets last try with only one minute to go. Comets remain top of the Chiltern League after this great win. (Also playing Tigers 32 - 14 Aylesbury)

New Greens Gladiators 34 - 30 Bennetts End Bulldogs (8th Dec)
The second great comeback of the season was made by the New Greens Gladiators when they played Bennetts End Bulldogs from Hemel. In what was attrocious weather, the St Albans lads made an horrendous start to the first half when they knocked on from the kick off, and in the following scrum, the Bulldogs powered over for a try - three times in a row!!! At half time thing were looking bleak for the Glads as they were losing 22 points to 10, but in the second half they really got their act together and powered into the Bulldogs, outscoring them by 24 points to 8 and clinching the game with the last try of the match.
Special mention to Big Dan, Ryan, Luke and Kieron for never giving up and to Aaron for coming off at half time soaked through and shivering, having a hot chocolate, going back on and scoring a try. Well done to all the players ( and ref, family and coaches) for braving terrible weather conditions.

Gladiators Beat Top Team - Comets Stumble 15.12.07

Grovehill Tigers 18 -v- 22 New Greens Gladiators
Third place St Albans team New Greens Gladiators travelled to Hemel Hempstead to play top of the table Grovehill Tigers in what promised to be a close game in the Chilterns League, and it certainly lived up to it's promise. With end to end, fast flowing rugby, both teams had periods of dominance, but in the end, it was the St Albans boys who held the upper hand and came out on top. Although ths result doesn't alter the league standings, it certainly closes the gap between the dominant top three teams - the Tigers, the Comets and the Gladiators.
Hatfield Comets 20 -v- 32 Adeyfield Dragons
After four wins and a draw, the Hatfield Comets winning streak came to an end today when they went down fighting against an 'improved' Adeyfield Dragons team. It was obvious the Comets were missing several key players, as they took a while to settle down, and it was in this first period that the Dragons ran up the majority of their points. It was only in the second half that the Comets looked like their old selves and began to run in some great tries, including a length of the field one by Aaron, but it was too little too late for the Hatfield boys. Thankfully, this result doesn't alter the Comets second place in the league, as the top team, Grovehill Tigers were also beaten by the Comets sister club, the New Green Gladiators.
Hatfield Comets U15's 6 -v- 52 Adeyfield Dragons U15's
Don't let the score line fool anyone, for it belies a tale of comradeship. Before the start of the game, the Comets found that they were two men short, but although they were offered two players from the Dragons reserves, they refused the offer saying that no matter how many of them there was, they were a team, and they would stick together and play as a team without outside help. Unfortunately during the course of the game, the extra two men from Hemel made all the difference and although the Comets played very well, the Dragons always had the easier time of it because of this difference. At the end of the match there were some very cold and tired young men on the field, but they did themselves proud.

Chiltern Junior League - Comets Top of League, Gladiators Third 05-01-08

Local derbies don't come any more local than this, with both of St Albans Centurions junior teams playing each other at their home ground. The opening exchanges in this second versur third game were a messy affair, probably cased by the lack of game time over the Christmas holiday period, as both teams looked a bit game rusty. Both teams were missing players who had school committments, but out of the two, the Comets looked the sharpest during the first half, so it was no surprise when they put first points on the board.

The Gladiators immediately stepped up the pressure at the other end, but the Comets defence stood firm against lots of pressure. Whilst we saw some great end to end runs, it was the Comets who went in at half time in the lead.

The first ten minutes of the second half opened brightly with some end-to-end, free flowing rugby, with both sides dropping the ball in promising positions, but the Gladiators were getting more and more into the game. Unfortunately for them, every time they scored a touchdown, the Hatfield team answered it with one of their own.

The St Albans lads dug in and worked their way through the pressure with some solid, percentages rugby league, driving down the middle of the field and turning around the Hatfield boys with some intelligent positional kicking. Unfortunately this was too little too late, and a couple of late breakaway tries by the Comets put the game beyond the grasp of the Gladiators.

Centurions coach, Shane Rampling (who coaches both teams at their schools and says he has no favourites!!) said after the game " I'd like to say well done to Aaron and Josh from the Comets who scored three tries each, and also Judd and Big Sam who both scored and played well. From the Gladiators, I'd have to say that Daniel, Aaron, Luke and Kieron played very well indeed. A big well done to both teams and players." This game now takes the Comets to the top of the League, and even though defeated, the Gladiators remain in third position.

Chiltern Junior League - Aylesbury Knights 4 - 48 Hatfield Comets 12-01-08

Coach Shane Rampling described this game as one of the best team efforts he has seen the Comets play. He said the passing and the support play was top notch, and the players were running onto the ball like pro's. The boys are really looking like a 'team' now, backing each other up and putting loads of effort in. Big well done to Josh, Lewis, Judd and Tyler, but at the end of the day, it was all the squad that did well. Comets are still top of the Chiltern Junior League after this resounding victory over the Aylesbury Knights (who gave a run out to 9 ' visitors ' from new boys Northampton Juniors) . Well done boys. Our other junior team, New Greens Gladiators (curently third in the league) had a bye weekend.

News Update - 14.2.08 - Our season has to conclude with the play offs on Saturday 23rd February and the Grand Final on Saturday 1st March. Some clubs have been unlucky to have had one or two games postponed due to weather etc., and we had hoped to play these games midweek to get the full set of 12 games in. Unfortunately, the league couldn't manage to fit all the teams in, so any games that have been unplayed have now been shown as a 12 -12 draw, with both teams getting one point each. The above league table is up to date. It includes all of the results so far plus the awarded 'drawn games'.

Chiltern Junior League - Gladiators 44 -v- 8 Knights 02.02.08

New Green Gladiators consolidated their second place in the league with this convincing win. The game was followed by a meeting between players and St Albans Centurions when a discussion took place about the amalgamation of the two Chiltern League teams to compete in this summers London League as Under 12, U14 and U16 teams. Reports say it was a great turn out of players and parents/guardians when a number of parents volunteerred to get involved with training and running the clubs. There was also money raised towards the teams. A number of boys also attended who had not played for either team, but wanted to come on board as well. A big welcome to those lads and a big well done to the people/players attending the meeting.

TEAM	P	W	L	D	Pts	+/-
Hatfield Comets	12	8	1	3	19	+156
New Greens Gladiators	12	7	4	1	15	+64
Grovehill Tigers	12	5	4	3	13	+40
Adeyfield Dragons	12	3	5	4	10	+52
Highfield Hawks	12	3	7	2	8	-60
Bennetts End Bulldogs	11	2	6	3	7	-12
Northampton Knights	11	1	10	0	2	-238