Year 7 Rugby 09.03.17

Just back from Burnage Rugby Club where our Year 7 rugby team took part in another Greater Manchester schools rugby tournament.  How wonderful for the game to have around 15 schools, a number of which are new to rugby, turning out teams on what was a glorious Thursday afternoon. 

We played 6 abbreviated games in all, winning 4 and drawing 2.  There was no ultimate group (think it would have been us) or tournament winner but we were clearly one of the stronger and more experienced sides in attendance.  We weren’t always at our best but it is rather difficult to establish any continuity and consistency when one is trying to rotate 19 players in a series of 12-a-side 7 minute matches. It is important for our future development that we keep as many boys as possible involved in rugby for as long as possible and give them all sufficient game time.  The numbers in Year 7 are certainly looking healthy.  Despite some uncharacteristic errors, we improved as the afternoon progressed as we finally decided to start tackling and hitting a few rucks!

All the boys contributed in some way to a successful and enjoyable afternoon; the usual suspects delivered consistently good performances but I was particularly impressed with Alfie’s maturity and capacity to listen and learn throughout the tournament.  New recruit Leyton, in only his third outing, also impressed with his ferocious tackling and dynamic ball carries.

Thank you to all the boys for their efforts this afternoon and to the parents / grandparents who came along to cheer from the side-lines. It was great to see Ethan Paddison playing again having recovered from his broken collar bone.

S Beeley