Lindfield Junior Rugby Tour 2009
Lindfield Junior Rugby Tour 2009
Welcome to the Lindfield Junior Rugby Tour web pages.
Special Thanks to the organising committee from Kawanishi who put together a fantastic tour, and especially the "Kawanishi Mum's" who looked after us like royalty (including Kumiko and family). We are looking forward to you visiting next year so we can repay the favour.
Note: Instructions to print photos
Konnichiwa and welcome to the 2009 Lindfield Rugby tour to Kawanishi, Japan.
Each day your dedicated tour scribes will do their best to update families and friends on the progress of the tour and all of the wonderful experiences that come with living and playing rugby in Japan. Our reports will be uploaded onto the Tour Web site and hopefully you will get an insight into how the boys are traveling. Together with the fabulous photography of John Clark and Brendan Doyle, we hope to capture some great moments and memories.
Friday 2nd October 2009
A ridiculously early start which saw most of us bright eyed and bushy tailed at the Sydney Jetstar counter at 5am. After a short flight to Coolangatta, we collected our luggage and moved to the Gold Coast International Terminal, an airport lounge that would rival many of the world's best. Thanks to Jane and Charles Daley, our connecting flight to Osaka was only slightly delayed and before we knew it we were sitting aboard a half empty flight bound for Japan.
There were the usual hick ups. Qantas had mixed up our order so net everyone got a full lunch but some dedicated parents sacrificed food for drink which meant none of the boys went hungry. And for some reason, poor Laurie Barkyl was cruelly separated from his son Dan and forced to sit up the front of the plane in Star Class. Fortunately for Laurie we were able to sneak him back into economy on a regular basis.
Nine hours flew by and before long we were descending into a rainy Kansai International Airport. After some finger printing and photography, we collected our tour bags and were greeted by some familiar faces in the form of Garth Bradford and Brendan Doyle who met us after we cleared customs. We were rounding the straight by now and the finish post was clearly in sight. A short 60 minute bus trip and we arrived at Kawanishi to the tumultuous welcome of our hosts, All in all a 20 hour day for most of us from the time we staggered out of bed till the time we staggered back into a futon some 6,000 kilometres away. But a great day nevertheless and one that went off without a hitch thanks to the great organisation of Junior and the team. Bring on the rest of the tour. We can't wait!
Saturday 3rd October 2009
What better way to start a rugby tour than with a Gala Day!
A well deserved sleep in saw us wake up to clearing skies and beautiful sunshine. We assembled as a tour group at the brand new, high tech recycling centre, and were met with a soggy ground and the friendly and welcoming teams from Kawanishi and Sanda Rugby schools. Whilst parents swapped stories about futons and tsunamis, the boys got down to business.
First up in Match 1 were the Under 11's versus Kawanishi. The game was played in great spirit and our hosts soon impressed us with the level of their skills and determination. But the Lindfield boys were too strong and eventually ran out winners 6 tries to nil. Special mention to Sam Ritchens who notched up 4 of our 6 and was virtually unstoppable.
Match 2 saw the Under 12's tested from the outset by a very good outfit from Sanda. The Sanda team tackled strongly and were impressive at the breakdown. But our boys attacked well and some great teamwork and encouragement from the coaching staff at half time saw them end up winning a very close match, 6 tries to 5. Special mention to Tom O'Reilly who saved a certain try and was strong across the park in all facets of the game.
LindfieldU12 v Kawanishi Photos
Match 3 was the Under 11's versus Sanda and whilst the younger boys from Sanda were not quite up to the standard of their older brothers, they tried hard and never gave up. Ritchens had another field day 4 tries for the match and the U 11's eventually won the game 11 tries to zip.
Lindfield U11 v Kawanishi Photos
Our final match for the day was the U12's versus our hosts Kawanishi. Inspired by the Sanda team, the Kawanishi boys took it up to us early. But the boy's responded well and were soon running in tries across the park. Kawanishi scored a well deserved try late in the game before our boys crossed for one final try. Final score 6 tries to 1, with rugby the clear winner on the day and great spirit and friendship shown by all of our boys and their hosts. In the end, with lots of candidates, the Man of the Matches awards for the U 12s went to Sam Reimer and Tepuni Doyle - Well done guys!
After all the matches, we had the formal opening dinner, along with songs and dances from both sides, and a visit from 3 capped Japanese players who signed autographs for the kids.
Sunday 4th October 2009
A 10am start today after a night of welcome and celebration at the local Golf Club. Our boys had some catching up to do after coming a close second in the cultural presentation stakes. Searsy and the boys did us proud but the Kawanishi boys were impressive.
Match 1 saw the U11's back against our hosts from Kawanishi. This time our boys ran in 10 tries but the Kawanishi team gave as good as they got. Some great attacking rugby led to 2 tries for the Kawanishi team in a game that was played with great passion and commitment. Greg Bradford and Sam Ritchens led the try count with two apiece.
Lindfield U 11 v Kawanishi Photos
Match 2 was the much anticipated game between the U12's and the local champions, Atami. Our hosts from Kawanishi were very (!!!) keen for us to match it with their local rivals and our boys didn't disappoint. In a game that see-sawed throughout, the 12's eventually triumphed 3 tries to 2. But it was a heart stopper and could have gone either way. Special mention to Barnesy who lead from the front and to Tom O'Reilly, whose last gasp pass to James Gall saw the boys score in the corner on the bell. After a hard day and full-on effort by all, Barnesy and Sam Clark got the Man of the Match Awards.
Match 3 was the U11's match up against Atami and spurred on by the previous game our boys gave no quarter and none was received. In the end, Lindfield ran out winners 5 tries to 1 but we knew we'd been in a tough game and the Atami team pushed us all the way. Once again, Sam Ritchens lead the try count but special mention has to go to Zac Partridge drove hard at the breakdown and was the player of the match.
The final game saw our 12's against Kawanishi and what a great end to two days of rugby. Our boys were tired from the match up against Atami and the Kawanishi boys were determined to give us a game to remember. Whilst the final score was 6 - 3, Kawanishi competed strongly throughout and pushed us till the very end. Again,. a strong performance across the park from all our boys.
A few days rest and recreation before our next game of rugby. We are all looking forward to soaking up a bit of culture and the occasional sake.
Lindfield U12 v Kawanishi Photos
Monday 5th October 2009
A general sight-seeing day in Kyoto
KinkakujiTemple (Golden Temple)
Nijyo Castle (no internal photos were allowed)
Kiyomizu-Temple
Tuesday 6th October
More sightseeing and fun. The boys did a craft workshop making a Talk sculpture for a necklace (looks better than is sounds...) and the adults went to a Chiropractors' Convention Tea Ceremony. Afterwards we went 'White Water Rafting' which was really a river cruise with a few bumps and splashes through some stunning scenery.
Afterwards was Dinner at the President's House where they went all-out to make sure we were looked after with fantastic food and lots of refreshments.The night finished with the usual beer drinking challenge with the Lindfield Kawanishi Mateship Cup.
Tea Ceremony
White Water Rafting
President's Dinner
Wednesday 7th October
Universal Studios visit 2 train rides away from the main Kawanishi Station. The theme park was large, with a large roller coaster (some kids went on it 11+ times as queues thinned out in the afternoon) Movie based rides, Back to the Future, Spiderman, Jurassic Park (lots of Water!) and a few stage shows, along with lots of food and Souvenir shops. It rained steadily throughout the day, not enough to stop it, just enough for you to get fully damp, and what the weather didn't achieve, the Jurassic Park ride completed!
All had a great and tiring day, and special thanks again to the Kawanishi Mums who, as usual, go out of their way to make sure everything is perfect.
Thursday 8th October
Cyclone Melor comes to town which means it's a 'Home Day' with kids at home for school. Most of the host families are arranging things to do, which is great for the kids (but I'm sure some parents would prefer sleep ...). Our family is off Bowling, which should please the kids.
General Trip Photos, including Travel, Families, Houses, etc.
Friday 9th October
Today we start early on the Bullet Train to Hiroshima, where we visit the Peace Centre. Afterwards, it's off on a quick ferry trip to the Temple & Shrine at Itsukushima and then to dispose of deliver and miss the kids at Tobe. Then it's time to hit the Thermal Baths followed by some light entertainment ... where I misplaced the camera ...
Hiroshima Photos
Itsukushima Shrine Photos
Saturday 10th October
Another early start off to the Rugby Stadium for short matches with the local teams, followed by a quick lunch and long drive home.
U12 v Matsuyama
U11 v Hijyo
Mixed team against mixed Matsuyama and Hijyo
Other Photos at
Tobe
Sunday 11th October
Final Rugby day saw a round-robin with Lindfield, Kawanishi, Hirakata and Nishinumiyakohto. To make if more even and interesting, the Lindfield / Kawanishi matches were player 'Barbarian' style with half each team from each club (you can see which club the player belonged to by the socks).
Lindfield won both comps - making it an undefeated tour - Congrats to the boys, Coaches, and all parents.
The trip wound up with a farewell dinner at the Yamanohara Golf Club.
U12 Barbarians Match at Kawanishi
U11 Kawanishi v Hirakata
U11 Lindfield v Nishinumiyakohto
U12 Lindfield v Hirakata
U11 Lindfield v Hirakata
U12 Lindfield v Nishinumiaykohto
U11 Barbarians Match
Kawanishi in Plate Finals
U12 Lindfield v Hirakata in Grand Final
U11 Lindfield v Nishinumiyakohto in Grand Final
Presentation Photos
Other Photos
Farewell Dinner at the Golf Club
Monday 12th October
Well, that's about it. Free day for all (apart from packing that is...) - some went bowling, some shopping, we went on a cable car up a mountain overlooking the field where Kawanishi plays, followed by a huge Sushi lunch!
Team captains Matt and Sam with the 'Junior Cup' for both age groups