Monmouth Young Rugby Following recent tours to Tenby in 2003, Waterford, Ireland in 2004 it was the turn of Blackpool to host the Monmouth Young Rugby tour. With a touring party of 120, with 66 players and 54 adults, representing five age groups from Under 9 to Under 14’s the tour party started leaving the grey skies of Monmouth last Friday. The Tour stopped en-route at Marple RFC, just outside Sale in Cheshire, for their first game and having travelled over 150 miles and having consumed a large quantity of burgers and cokes at the motorway services beforehand, it was going to be interesting to see how they fared on the pitch. Despite some early nerves, the teams got into their stride and pattern of play and began to play the ball wide whilst making sure their tackles counted. The results were never in doubt with the Under 9’s winning, 45 – 30, the Under 10’s winning 31 -10 and the Under 11’s winning 30 – 0. It was very pleasing to see a clean sweep and the Monmouth parents retired to the clubhouse only to find the bar closed. This could have been a setback to any other team, but the forward thinking of the Monmouth planning meant that they had their own publicans on board, and through some clever footwork at the bar, Tom Zsigo of the Lion Inn at Trellech, was on hand to make sure drinks were forthcoming. Our thanks and praise for the Marple club and the Monmouth Young Rugby Tour made their way to Blackpool. Saturday was a rest day, with just a football tournament, limitless rides on the Pepsi Max, roller coaster and the watching of the various Heineken Cup matches to pass the time. Somehow they managed to get through it, the sun shone all day and they even stayed up late enough to take part in the on-site karaoke competition to prove that they should really stick to their day jobs. The next day, was a trip to Ashton RFC, with all the teams playing. The Monmouth teams were keen to come away with their unbeaten status and were quickly into their stride. It was great to see the young players, many playing in different positions to their usual ones week in week out, doing so well. The Under 9’s won, 35 -15, the Under 10’s won 55 – 5, the Under 11’s won 40 – 5, the Under 12/13’s won 36 – 5 and the Under 14’s lost 12 -35, the only loss of the Tour but a great game to watch. But for three breakaway tries, so the coach tells me, and it could all have been different. The Tour dinner followed in the evening, at the Mount Hotel in Fleetwood, and over 110 players and parents joined the festivities. Tour awards were given for each age group; Under 9 Jack Donovan, Daniel Dunmore Under 10 Hallam Amos, Ieuan Jones Under 11 Harry Oliva, Oliver Jones Under 12/13’s Aled Collier, Matthew Lovett Under 14 Andrew Henley, Tom Williams The final evening ended with the Patrick Mallinson and Bunce Jones winning the quiz competition, and the tour players, parents and supporters dancing the conga around the campsite to the sound of Tony Christie’s “Is this the way to Amorillo”. Perhaps it could be future Tour Venue. Next year, Monmouth Young Rugby aims to go on Tour to France. Anyone wanting to play rugby should contact Mel Wheeler at mel@mgwheeler.freeserve.co.uk or look at the clubs website for further details. |