U-14s represent county with pride and passion
Day 1 – Friday, April 28
Wicklow Under-14 rugby squad set off at 6am on Friday, April 28, on their journey to Southport (UK) to take part in their annual rugby festival. They travelled by coach to Dublin Port and then by ferry to Holyhead. From there they travelled on to Southport, arriving at their destination, Pontins Holiday Camp, at 3pm.
In terms of the competition, Wicklow were participating in the under-14 section, with seven other teams from England and Scotland in a round robin format and therefore seven 20 minute games, to be played over two days. With the hard, sun baked, sand based pitches, this was to prove a very tough programme. Due to the difference in age grading between Ireland and the UK, this meant the Wicklow team where the youngest squad in the eight team group.
Day 2 – Saturday, April 29
First game v West Hartlepool, Kick-off: 2.30pm.
Wicklow opened at a very fast pace and immediately had the far bigger West Hartlepool under pressure. They continued this pace for the duration of the game and got off to a winning start on a score of Wicklow 10, West Hartlepool 0.
The Wicklow lads put in a great display and the tackling was incredible! Second game v Biggar (Scotland), Kick-off: 3.20pm.
The Scots performed their version of the Haka to be met by the Wicklow lads linking arms and marching to meet them!
What then ensued was a great game of rugby, where the Biggar team with the wind at their backs took a well-deserved half-time lead.
However, in the second half Wicklow responded and produced a thrilling running performance, scoring four tries in the process to run out 20-10 winners in a marvellous come back with the Wicklow lads putting their bodies on the line with some brilliant low hard tackling to create the space and opportunities. Tries scored by Eccles, Sheridan, Von Teichman and Egan Barron. Third game v Sheffield Blue, Kick-off – 4pm.
(Sheffield had two teams in the Tournament, a Blue and White team)
Having played two back to back games Wicklow expected a short rest, however, unfortunately, due to timetable problems, we were asked to play the next game virtually straight away, against a team that was far fresher than us.
Sheffield also happened to be, and by a long way, physically the biggest team in the competition.
Half-time score was 0-15 to Sheffield and the full-time was 0-20, the Wicklow lads again putting in some outstanding defensive tackles only conceding one try in the second half – great performance from a bunch of very tired lads. Fourth game v Nuneaton Kick-off: 6pm.
Wicklow’s next opponents, Nuneaton, were again physically bigger than the Wicklow lads, who by now were struggling to put 15 fit players on the field.
However, with great courage and a superior skill set, Wicklow took the game to Nuneaton.
The level of foul play from the English team was unbelievable and although Wicklow turned at half time in the lead the physical aggression and attrition took its toll and Nuneaton equalised with two minutes left. Wicklow hung on for a well-deserved draw, which proved to be a win under the rules as Wicklow had scored first. Full-time score: 5-5. Day one complete but the Wicklow players were shattered and had collected a fair few injuries with some players doubtful for day two.
Day 3 – Sunday, April 30
Wicklow started the day in second place in the league table – one point behind the leaders Sheffield Blue.
First game v Liverpool St Helens, Kick-off: 1.45pm (delayed until 2.15pm).
Wicklow’s bruised and battered bodies somehow had healed overnight and after a morning swimming session the players were up for more games.
Having warmed up well the game was unfortunately delayed due to serious injury on one of the pitches. This worked against Wicklow who were just off the pace in this game
Full-time score: 0-15 to Liverpool St Helens. Second game v Southport Kick-off: 3.20pm.
There was a determination in the squad to make amends for the previous games loss and even though Wicklow only had 16 fit players, they produced a great fighting performance against a very big Southport team.
The tackling from a number of the Wicklow lads was a wonder to behold. Wicklow took the lead through a well worked try and again it was only in the dying moments that Southport breached their try line. However, again a great draw that goes down as a win as Wicklow scored first. Full-time score: 5-5. At this stage, Wicklow only had 11 fit players from the squad of 24 that had begun the competition and the coaches decided that the sensible thing to do was to pull out of theiur final fixture against the Sheffield White team.
Once again the lads did us all proud on day two and really showed the English and Scottish teams what Irish and Leinster Rugby is all about!
Wicklow came fourth in the table, but as far as the coaches and management are concerned we outshone all other teams for dedication/bravery and team spirit. This was a weekend where these brave lads grew up and they were fantastic ambassadors for their parents and their club and Irish rugby
Day Four – Back to Wicklow
The long trek home arriving back in Wicklow at 7pm a tired but very proud group from what was a great tour and a great experience for these young men.