We are the Champions!!!

Sunday 6 October saw the annual District Football Competition and as the reigning champions of both the Cub and the scout competitions we were all particularly keen to defend our trophies.

With our two teams picked and raring to go the matches got under way. Over the course of many matches in the group stage throughout the afternoon both the Cubs and the Scouts were unbeaten. As the group games finished we were left nervously wondering if we had done enough to make the semi finals. We needn't have worried. Both the Cubs and Scouts made their respective semi finals.

Henry Raynes 'battles' for the ball....

The Scouts were up first in their semi final. This was men against boys! Literally! As our team of eleven year old scouts fought valiantly against a team of 25 year olds (well they looked like 25 year olds!!!). Unfortunately they lost by a single goal. So nursing their wounds, the Scouts prepared to cheer on the Cubs in their semi final. And they won! 2-0! So the Cubs were through to the final for the thrid year in succession.

Our keeper, Amy Tapper, surveys the scene in front of her...

But who were we to face in the final? Only our old rivals from up the road - 7th (St Johns) - who we had drawn 0-0 with in our opening match. So putting their nerves aside the maatch got underway. Our cubs quickly gained a 1-0 lead. But as the clock was ticking down the final seconds... DISASTER! 7th scored! And this was how the game stayed until the final whistle. So now it would be down to the dreaded lottery of penalties.

And neither team could be split on the penalties as all members of each team took a penalty - and it finished 4-4. Tense? Nerve wracking? You bet! So now it was a sudden death penalty shoot out...

Up first for 224 - Jack Edmonds.... shoots! scores!
Next up was 7th.... Amy Tapper in goal for 224 stand nervelessly awaiting the penalty kick.... 7th shoots! SAVED!!!!
Amy Tapper saves the penalty and 224 Cubs are victorious for the third year in a row!!! 

Cue many celebrations amongst the teams and the parents who had come along to help or support.

So the cubs were champions again whilst the Scouts unfortunately just missed out. But what was most pleasing was the sportsmanship shown by our teams who never failed to shake hands with the opposition and the referee.

Well done to you all.

Our two teams - Cubs in white, Scouts in Orange

Cub Team: Amy Tapper; Jacob Chalmers; Jack Edmonds; Joseph Taylor; Luke Mackey; Sam Whitehead; Elliott Aitken-Clarke.

Scout Team: Spencer Bowker; Ben Smith; Zack Smith; Kyle Bickerton; Thomas Reeves; Henry Raynes; Joe Dobson; Aaron Collins.

Particular thanks to our coach - Darren Bowker and his assistant Kevin Smith.


Phil
Assistant Cub Leader

 

A Guiding Star!

On Thursday 26th September, the cubs were visited by an honoured set of guests - Katherine and her guide dog, Bea.

In order to give the cubs an insight into the life of a blind person and their guide dog we invited Katherine to come along and tell us all about it. Along with her helper Caroline, Katherine brought her very special canine friend and assistant Bea. 

With all the cubs sat in readiness on the floor, Katherine went on to explain her blindness and how Bea makes her life so much easier, including how Bea has possibly saved her life on a number of occasions!

The talk was scheduled to last about 30 minutes. But thanks to the cubs countless questions and obvious interest in Bea the talk went on for about an hour! It went on so long that the cubs had no time for any games that evening - and they did not even seem bothered.

As a thank you to Katherine and Bea for coming along to speak to us, the cubs subs were added to a donation from the group and £50 was given to Katherine to raise funds for more Guide Dogs. 

Our letter of praise from Katherine!

On the night, Carl and myself were very pleased with the behaviour and atiitude of the cubs towards Katherine and Bea. But even better was the letter we received from katherine praising the cubs! Praise like this is always welcome and the cuibs deserved the praise.

Phil
Assistant Cub Leader