Wicklow storm Saracen base

Wonderful tour to Bramley Rd.

The Wicklow and Saracens U-15 squads in London recently. FOLLOWING their magnificent performance in the Leinster League Division 1 final, Wicklow Rugby Club's U-15s took their good form on the road with a three game tour to London last weekend.

The Wicklow boys accepted Saracens invitation to come and play them at their Bramley Road Sports Ground in North London following their visit to Ashtown Lane last October as part of their 2013 Ireland Tour. A touring party of 31 travelled consisting of 21 player's and 10 adults and coaches.

In addition to the feature game against Saracens two additional 'blitz' style games were arranged with Head Coach, Paul Barron's rugby alma mater Teddington RFC who are table toppers in Middlesex County's Premier Division and nearby County Berkshire Bracknell RFC who are also league leaders in that county's Premier Division.

On Saturday, the friendly rivalry with the Saracens boys was renewed with a competitive encounter at their home ground in front of a healthy fan base and cheered on by their Club's Senior 1st fifteen.

The game was a played in the spirit of the sport with no quarter asked or given despite the close bonds between the two teams, in the end, the Wicklow team prevailed with a final score of 36-10.

The highlight's were a maiden try for Wicklow rookie Cian Keogh, a spectacular try for Diarmuid Whoriskey and a beautifully weighted cross field kick by Wicklow's No. 10 collected by team captain Cal Connolly and who ran in for a try.

On Sunday morning in spectacular sunshine the Wicklow team travelled to Teddington, in Northwest London for two games in the tranquil setting of Bushy Park. The Wicklow boys performed well in both matches competing gamely against much bigger squads.

The hospitality shown by both home teams (Saracens and Teddington) was genuine and received graciously by the Wicklow team who carried themselves impeccably during the course of the tour.

During the tour when not playing rugby, the team viewed the London skyline from the top of the London Eye on Saturday and enjoyed a superb premiership match between Saracens and Northhampton Saints at Allianz Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Wicklow U15s are immensely fortunate to have the benefit and support of a strong parent committee who made the tour possible.