Day 4, a couple more

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CABZ!

Cabz celebrated her birthday in style today with the stadium singing Happy Birthday, a cake to feed 5000, a suprise trip from her dad and bro AND a fantastic win in the match. She's probably celebrating still with her host family now!

Battle for the face win in the boys match against WAX 2 today. Luckily it wasn't as hot as yesterday (though still extremely humid) and the boys played a fantastic match to win 9-5 (I think- prehaps more..). With just one game today it gave the lads chance to catch up on their sun bathing (ready for the pool party tomorrow) and even time for a quick interview for the local papers (Jordan).
A very enthusiastic Tim getting slowly burnt.

Strict (staged) coaching from Jay Dog

Erm... you're blocking my view boy.

Day 4- a few more games

V.C. has been legging it up and down the pitch all day today- helping the girls gain another win against Hereford. That's three out of three wins so far! Unfortunately, she had to pull out of the game with a pulled muscle in the third quarter, fingers crossed it will be sorted for Mondays matches!
Jess wins yet another draw in style

Craggy and his prep talks..and pink shirts

The lads team against WAX - a fantastic game played by the boys today, the sun's not stopped their winning streak!

The girls team show the boys how a team photos meant to be done

Day 4 - Sunday - Tournament

Check out the video further down ....

Cabrina cutting her birthday cake.

Great save Paul!

Boys ready for changeover.

A real team spirit is building up.

The girls patriotic as ever, raise the England flag as encouragement to the boys ... or was it just flirting with the american refs !!! (oops too many !!!, Rob Hawksley keeps complaining I use them too often ... and who says Karen's got crabs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Coach Jess makes sure the bags are ready as a reminder to the opposition of when Timperley whooped their assssss!

WATCH THIS VIDEO .... FOR THE BIRTHDAY SONG!

Day 3 ... more photos

WE WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY HOW PROUD WE ARE OF ALL THE KIDS ON TOUR - THEY HAVE BEEN A JOY TO BE WITH, A PLEASURE TO WATCH AND FANTASTIC COMPANY... AND THEY HAVE PROVED THEMSELVES GREAT LACROSSE TEAMS.

Brianna selected Greg as the ultimate American experience.

Maryland crabs in Ross and Colleen's garage - great hosts and a social, messy experience. A hot favourite with all.....

Jay Dog and Craggy tackling another few !!!!

George and Piggy managed one crab each, leaving the rest of us to get through the remaining 60.......!!!

Craggy getting the girls psyched up!!

Coaches from South Carroll with Tim, Wylo and Jay Dog!!


He's so cute !

Piggy is a true leader !!

Tournament kicks off

The girls had a fantastic start to their tour, winning both their games, even against the best girls team in the area. It was a tense match (Faye has never been as nervous in her life as she was in the last 2minutes where Timperley were defending their one goal lead!) Faye was a star- chants and cheers just for her from the stadium of 'she's on FII-YER'

Lads on tour then floor

Lads on tour

The sun was shining allll day long- 42 degrees at one point, with a fifteen degree increase in the stadium, so the kids spent most of the time refilling water bottles and yes...we've coated them in suncream, even Jordan who claimed not to burn..ever.

Timperley v Wax 2 (Final score 4 -5 to Wax 2) Timperley made a great come back in the last quarter but unfortunately ran out of time. The boys were a little bit in awe of the americans in the first half! Wylo said " think of them as a packet of fruit pastels....easily squashed' This did wonders to the team and they dominated the second half and their afternoon game against South Carroll- which they won 11-7! (with a b-e-a-utiful goal by our Toby)

Number 33, known to us as George, was spotted as a possible candidate for Gerstell Academy, by none other than Dr Smith (founder of Gerstell and a huge lacrosse fan) Nice one George!

Day 2 in Gerstell

The youngsters show us how to do it!!

Introducing the new members of our girls team

Quite a lot of chillin' going on......

.......but always under the watchful eyes of the flag

Cameron leads the attack

Jess entertains the girls with her daily gosssip column

The girls are given new WAX shorts which Craggie was proud to display.

Despite most of us waking up at 3am and being disorientated for the rest of the day everyone managed to warm up at the fantastic stadium and then eat a bucket load of Southern Fried Chicken with salads and bread. Most of the amusement was based around the huge thunderstorm which brought all the lads and girls back into the enormous gym where a kind of baseball/rugby (Craggies contribution)/netball type game began which kept the host parents very entertained. Some had to go early to watch Chelsea v AC Milan, others were going to the cinema, to meals, or in Jess's case just 'out drinking with the lads' - not sure what that meant really, VC will probably still be running around as she seems unable to stop. The hosts had put out balloons for us and decorated car windows - really touching and Wilo made a speech to thank everyone for their kindness. The children have been fantastic - taking new experience in their stride and impressing their hosts. Piggy and George's hosts couldn't stop sayimng how lovely the lads were - until they saw Piggy in the middle of the scrum - I admit they were perhaps a little over excited. Tomorrow is a big day with two matches for both teams- Jordan is already on their list for take outs as his face off was a bit too impressive for the WAX coaches liking - well done Jordan but it might be harder when your not agianst 8 year old Logan!

Arrived Safely

We arrived safely at Gerstell to a round of applause from the families and friends of Gerstell. All the children were collected by their host families and some had more luxurious transport than others..... Toby left in a stretch limo !!! More updates later... its 9.20pm US time (2.20am UK time) now. ZZZZZZZZ

Boys on tour !!!!!!

Ooh its those sensible coaches !!! and Tim blowing dry his newly varnished nails (thanks to the girls).

Despite looking slightly odd, Jordan Chris and Mike were the stars of the day ... cleaning up the coach and finding $75 .... which they handed to the driver, and in return handed it back to them as a reward ..... They are buying the drinks in Washington!!!

Cab, Jess and Hannah being out-done on the camera, by the flight attendant!!!

Despite, James leaving his bag on the floor TWICE (containing his passport), we still managed to get past the Check-in Desk !!

Sensible Girls choose water before the flight .... unlike Jordan who chose Smiley Face earrings in a multitude of bright colours .....