WXV: London Royals

[ossie85]

Good drafting Ringo :) I always lean towards senior players

[Ringo]

After the first week of the split Round 1 The London Royals are of to a flying start with 754 from 7 players.

Captain Brent Stanton showed the way with 117 points,  He was upstaged by Dannyle Pearce with 130 points and Chris Mayne with 120 points,

Trust other players will build on the good work done so far next weekend and get the Royals of to a flying start for 2013.

[Ringo]

Round 1 Review

A very encouraging start to the season by the Royals with in some circles an upset win over the Seoul Magpies.
Despite a late comeback from the Magpies and being urged on by a strong home ground crowd the Royals held on  (20.16.136) to defeat Seoul Magpies (19.12.126)

Match was played in great spirits given the closeness of the result.

The club played new recruits  Dan Hannebery, Johno Brown, Sam Wright, Harry O'Brien, Josh Hill, Quentin Lynch Harry O, Q stick and Hanners showed they will be assets to the club and will continue to improve as they gel with team mates.  Brownie, Hill and Wright were a tad disappointing but the club is hopeful they will continue to improve in new surroundings,

Captain Brent Stanton and Dannyle Pearce were outstanding when required in controlling the mid field and Mackie  and Harry O  mopping up everything in defence. Chris Mayne and QStick really stood up in the forward line booting 12 goals between them.

We are on the road again to Moscow and look forward to keeping the momentum going.

Points in the MVP Crown Award
5. Dannyle Pearce
4. Chris Mayne
3. Brent Stanton
2. Andrew Mackie
1. Harry O'Brien

[ossie85]

Jono Brown, Q Lynch and Chris Mayne would be a scary looking forward line!

Cheers Ringo

+10

[Ringo]

Round 2 Update

The Royals built on their upset win over the Magpies last week with another win 23.15.153 away over Moscow 19.10.124. 

Despite the cold of Moscow we applied the heat to the Spetsnaz causing a number of turnovers resulting in goals. Captain Brent Stanton, Jarrad McVeigh, Dan Hanneberry and Matthew Broadbent controlled the midfield and were able to get hands on the ball first due to the brilliant work of Ruckman Tom Bellchambers who continually seemed to find the midfielders with his hit outs.

Quentin Lynch and Josh Hill were solid up forward but Mayne and Brown were a little disappointing.  After a strong game in the reserves  Ricky Pettard may find himself in first grade next week.

Defenders were solid but not outstanding in repelling attacks.

We are on the road for the third week running this week, due to the vagaries of the draw, travelling to the warmth of the Pacific after the cold of Moscow to face the Islanders.  We are hoping  to continue our good start to the season but fatigue may set in after 3 weeks on the road.

Points in the MVP Crown Award
5. Tom Bellchambers 5
4. Jarrad McVeigh
3. Brent Stanton
2. Matthew Broadbent
1. Daniel Hanneberry

Go the Royals

[ossie85]

Yeah, sorry about the draw Ringo! If any consolation, you have a run of 6 home/neutral games in a row after this round :/

[BB67th]

Good start by the Royals here with two good wins on the road. Can't wait for us to get at third this week against the Islanders.

[Maca24]

Well done Royals so far! Very impressive :)

[Ringo]

Round 3 Review

The Royals travelled to the beautiful Pacific Islands to take on the Islanders. Despite the obvious distractions of the locations and the effects of three weeks travel the players remained focused and put in another match winning performance.  This win places us second on the ladder and dare we start dreaming of greater things after the turmoil of last years with coach being sacked and new coaching staff brought in.

London Royals (21.21.147) defeated Pacific Islanders (17.16.118)

The new recruits continue to impress and add some of the experience that was missing in previous years. Hanneberry is shaping up as a star of the future and really working well with McVeigh and Stanton.

This week the game was won in the midfield with Hanners, Stanton, Broadbent giving us first use of the ball and McVeigh giving run when interchanged. The effort of these stopped the ball getting into our defensive 50 which accounts for the poor return of defensive line.
Johnathan Brown up played his best game since transferring from Moscow and will provide a potent line going forward with Lynch, Mayne and Hill although Lynch was slightly disappointing in this game.
Ben Hudson was BOG in the reserves match and will keep the pressure on Tom Bellchambers,  maybe even earn start this week.

We will be tested this week when we take on the Mexico Suns but I urge all our supporters to get out to the Olympic Stadium for our first home match of the season.

[ossie85]

Great review Ringo!

I'd be excited for a Finals appearance for the Royals.....

Winning the first 3 matches is a huge get - all against teams in the 'middle' of the comp IMO (middle are teams I think can beat anybody on there day)

Elite: Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Cape Town

Middle: Seoul, Moscow, Pacific, Dublin, Berlin, Tokyo, PNL, Toronto, New York, Cairo, London

Poor: New Delhi, Beijing, Wellington


You'll need at least 9 wins to make the finals, possibly 10.

Barring catastrophe, you will beat New Delhi, Beijing and Wellington = 6 wins.

Let's assume you lose all 4 against the elite. I think you can win against any team, but just for this analysis

Meaning you'll need to win 4 against Dublin, Berlin, Tokyo, PNL, Toronto, New York and Cairo.

If you win one against the big 4, I reckon you're in for sure.

[Ringo]

Calling all fans.

The London Royals are finally ready to move into the London Olympic Stadium following negotiations and approvals.

Lets all get to the Stadium this weekend for the Royals first home game of the season and turn this stadium into our fortress. The Mexico Suns are highly favoured so lets show them this Team is not be underestimated this year,

Support your team who have started the season strongly with 3 away wins.

[ossie85]

I'll be wearing Purple! (I think that's your colour?)

[Noz]

Proud to be at the Royals who would of thought we would be sitting 3-0

[Ringo]

Round 4 Review

In a widely anticipated clash the Royals new home ground The London Olympic Stadium was packed to capacity of 60,000 to see this seasons surprise packets the Royals take on Last years premiers Mexico City Suns,

Those that came in early saw the Imperial Princes reserve grade side complete a comfortable victory over the Suns reserve grade side.

This lifted expectations for the first grade clash,  However the Suns really put a dampener on the celebrations coming out comfortable winners 24.12.156 to 21.13.139,

Whether it was the occasion of the new ground or just in awe of the slick Suns side our players did not produce their usual standard, Captain Brent Stanton continues to show the way but this week we had too many passengers and with the reserves having a solid win some may be pushing for selection this week for the rivalry round against Dublin. maybe the coach will give them a chance to redeem themselves this week though but quite a few have their heads on the chopping block. Lack of suitable alternatives up front is the only thing saving our forward line who are underperforming.

Hopefully we can get a win again this week in the Rivalry round and maintain our position in the 8.  Currently we sit in 5th position.

[Ringo]

ROUND 5 Review

This week was our Rivalry Round we played Dublin for the British Isles Cup.

Great to see the boys up and about despite last weeks defeat at the hands of the favourite.  This week British Isles Pride was on the line with London v Dublin and no prisoners were to be taken.

Again our under estimated midfield took control of the game resulting in a 23.13.151 win over the Destroyers 19.16.130.  More importantly this win again lifts us into the top 4.

Taking advantage of the work done by our midfield Johnno Brown again showed why he will be an asset to the club. Starting to develop a strong forward line of Lynch, Brown and Mayne,

Starting Reid on the Bench proved a master stroke by the coach as he returned to his best form and giving some drive from the back line. Tom Young continues to show his wares across the defensive line as well.

To round of the day JARRAD McVEIGH won the MYNOTT/KENNELLY MEDAL for the best player on ground.  Well done Jarrad.

This week is another chance to consolidate our position in the top four when we play the 6th placed Berlin Brewers. Get out and cheer this team who are proving to be one of the surprise packets of the competition.

Come early and watch our reserve grade side the Imperial Princes who are sitting 4th on the ladder at the moment as well.