Following a special invitation, the Rugby Skylarks travelled up to Groby for their annual summer tournament.

Not surprisingly, as their last league game was over two months ago, the Skylarks took some time to settle in their first 12 minute game against Rothley Imps “A”. The Imps had the better of the early exchanges and a long range shot crashed against the Skylarks’ bar before dropping just over. Firm defending from Frankie Allinson and Luke Stephens then kept Rothley at bay as Rugby came more into it. With only a couple of minutes remaining some good skill from Oliver Fowler released Michael Reynolds who crashed a right foot shot in off the underside of the bar. Some more good covering play from Allinson sealed the win.

Next up were the Thurlaston Hawks – who had beaten Rugby in the league earlier this year. However, demonstrating their continued improvement as a team, the Skylarks completely dominated this game. Fowler, Blaine Evans, Iwan Jones and Sam Flockhart pinned the Hawks back for virtually the entire 12 minutes although Louis Jones had to make a good double save to foil the single Hawks attack. Rugby’s constant pressure eventually told. From a corner, Iwan Jones slotted home after Flockhart had hit the post and another corner gave a delighted Fowler the chance to score his first goal for the team. 2-0 Skylarks.

Rugby’s third game was almost the total reverse as Glenfield Utd Colts pushed Rugby back right from the off. Iwan Jones was quickly brought on to help out the stretched defense and although Evans never stopped harrying and Stephens covered a lot of ground Rugby slipped to a 0-2 defeat.

Other results meant that only a win for Rugby in their last game against Groby Juniors would do. Unfortunately Rugby could not get an early goal and Groby managed to score on a breakaway. Reynolds was introduced as Rugby went for all out attack and it was left to Louis Jones to make some fantastic saves in goal to keep Rugby in it. However even he could not keep Groby out forever and the game slipped away from the Skylarks in the dying minutes.

Disappointingly, Rugby finished third in their group and just missed out on the semi-finals.However, credit must go to the team for their effort on the day.

Rugby Town Skylarks rounded off their league season with a fine win away at Westfield Wanderers.

Playing into a strong wind Rugby dominated from the off, sensibly keeping the ball on the ground with some good passing interplay. Oliver Fowler cleverly rode the tackles down the left wing and kept pushing Westfield back into their own half. Blaine Evans opened the scoring
after a defensive mistake and shortly afterwards it was his good tackle and pass which let in Sam Flockhart to make it 2-0 with a thumping shot into the top corner. It was all Rugby as Evans claimed his second after their keeper fumbled his shot and his hat-trick came shortly afterwards with a cool finish. At 4-0 up with only 12 minutes gone Rugby were well on top but then the heavens opened and the teams were driven from the pitch by a vicious hail storm which sent everyone scurrying for cover.

After a delay of about fifteen minutes the sun returned and the game resumed. However, the break galvanised Westfield and they came back strongly into the game. Louis Jones in goal had to make two saves as Westfield attacked and Owen Batchelor, Frankie Allinson and Luke
Stevens became more involved. Westfield did manage to pull one back and were threatening more but good play from Iwan Jones in midfield put through Michael Reynolds. His shot hit the post but Evans was on hand to restore Rugby’s four goal lead.

Some re-jigging at half-time led to Luke Stevens going in goal and he quickly had to make a good save. At the other end Fowler and Reynolds continued to cause Westfield problems and only some good saves from their keeper kept the score down. Eventually the pressure told and a corner from Evans found its way into the Westfield net to make it 6-1. Westfield managed to pull a goal back near the end and there was still time for Allinson to unfortunately miss a penalty before the final whistle.

A great team effort and a positive note to end the season on. Michael Reynolds was awarded Man of the Match for doing everything but score. Thanks to the parents for their support and to Arrow Engineering for the great kit. A final thanks to Pete Flockhart for coaching the lads and giving his all along the touchline – despite his “man-flu”.

On a perfect day for football Rugby Town Skylarks,resplendent in their kit (courtesy of Arrow Engineering ), put in a great team performance to match high flying Beaumont in an entertaining 0 - 0 draw.

Solid defensive performances from Owen Batchelor and Luke Stevens kept back the early pressure and Frankie Allinson intelligently broke up attacks and set up counter attacks with some lovely through passes.

Man of the Match Oliver Fowler again showed he's back to his best with great individual skills and darting runs down the left,while Blaine Evans dominated the right flank for the whole game with his courageous tackling. Attacking midfielder Michael Reynolds and lone striker Sam Flockhart made great off the ball runs but in a very even, tight game couldn't break the deadlock. Keeper Louis Jones made some excellent saves to cap off another fantastic team display.

Well done lads. Thanks to Paul Batchelor for a great refereeing job.

For the second week running Rugby Town Skylarks (sponsored by Arrow Engineering) were defeated by a late goal despite a fantastic fight-back in the mud at Beaumont.

In absolutely atrocious playing conditions the game started with the Panthers having the advantage of the wind, rain, slope and mud all in their favour. Although the Skylarks forced an early corner, it was backs to the wall as all the players battled against the conditions.
Owen Batchelor and Frankie Allinson were fantastic in defense, breaking up attack after attack. Those shots which did get through were comfortably dealt with by Louis Jones in goal. It took a disputed penalty to break the deadlock when the referee awarded hand-ball
against Batchelor as he protected his chest from a cross hit straight at him. The ref later apologised for this decision but it was too late as Beaumont went 1-0 up. With the midfield of Iwan Jones, Oliver Fowler and sub Luke Stevens helping out the defense, Rugby played really well together to restrict Beaumont to that single goal at half-time.

As the rain eased slightly in the second half, Rugby had Louis Jones to thank for two fine saves to keep the Panthers out – one full length down by his post. Unfortunately he could not prevent the home team from grabbing a second shortly after. At 2-0 down Rugby suffered another set-back as Batchelor had to go off injured. However, the re-jigged team did not give up and staged a great fight-back which had Beaumont on the ropes. Firstly, a good pass from Stevens put Michael Reynolds free on the left and, after some great play, he fed Sam Flockhart to pull a goal back. A couple of minutes later and it was Blaine Evans’s turn to put in the prolific Flockhart for Rugby’s second. 2-2 and game on. It was end-to-end stuff now as both teams went for the winner. A last ditch tackle by Evans back in his own area kept it even while up the other end neither Evans, Flockhart nor Fowler could get in a clear shot.

After such a great fight-back it was heartbreak for the Skylarks as Beaumont grabbed the late winner after a shot had come back off the bar.

Louis Jones was awarded Man of the Match and the whole team must be congratulated for a great performance in terrible conditions. Also, many thanks to the freezing, soaking wet and mud-caked parents for their support.

Date

H/A

Opposition

W/D/L

Score

17/09

H

Stoneygate

W

2-0

01/10

H

Hinckley Cobras

D

1-1

15/10

A

Epworth Forest Reds

L

0-4

29/10

A

Stoneygate

W

8-4

05/11

H

Groby Blues

L

0-2

19/11

A

Thurlaston Hawks

D

1-1

17/12

H

Westfield Wanderers

W

3-1

21/01

H

Hinckley Cobras

W

3-2

28/01

H

Epworth Forest Reds

L

0-4

18/02

A

Groby Blues

W

4-1

25/02

H

Thurlaston Hawks

L

1-2

04/03

A

Beaumont Panthers

L

2-3

11/03

H

Beaumont Panthers

D

0-0

18/03

A

Westfield Wanderes

W

6-2

Coaches

Pete Flockhart

Mid week Training will be on Wednesday nights at Butlin Road on the Rubber Crumb at 6.00 until 7.00. £1.50 per person (except for the Owls)

Please ensure that you speak to your coach if you have any queries aout training or matches.

Saturday Training at 10.00 sharp at Whitehall Recreation Ground. Shinpads and a drink are mandatory at all times. Please ensure you label all the childs clothing.

Please park off the road when dropping off and children and ensure you register in person.

Rugby Town Juniors have a fantastic team of coaches with qualifications to match.  Read more about them here.

Visit the league's website via links.