Weather can’t stop Wicklow minis as they thrive home and away
WICKLOW RFC’S minis welcomed St Mary’s under-9s, 10s and 11s to Ashtown Lane on Sunday morning (February 4).
Meanwhile, the club’s under-8s were on the road again travelling to MU Barnhall RFC in Celbridge and the under-12s were in Dublin to take on Terenure College RFC.
Heavy rain overnight meant that the going was soft in Ashtown Lane on Sunday morning but glimpses of sun meant that the games against St Mary’s could go ahead.
The under-10 squad was hit by injury and illness but they still managed to field three teams to play their Dublin counterparts. Against a tough and well drilled opposition, the Wicklow lads soon found their pace and settled into games and there were some great scores from both sides.
The under-11s had a great opportunity to field three teams against a strong St Mary’s outfit.
This was the first meeting of this group with their 2007 counterparts. What followed were some great games with some great tackling, passing and rucking on display with scores hard to come by.
The intensity went up a notch as the games went on and the under-11s rose to the occasion with some resilient displays, a credit to their club.
The under-8s were in Barnhall for their annual home and away fixture for the 2010 age grade. Wicklow fielded two teams and had three highly entertaining matches against the Kildare club.
The matches were played using the silent touch line concept which allowed the kids play fun matches without input from their coaches with parents applauding each score. The kids took real advantage of this freedom to play open running rugby.
The under-12s travelled to Terenure and fielded two strong teams who were rewarded with a run out on Terenure’s beautiful new 4G pitch. Intermittent rain was not an issue under foot but conditions called on the players to focus hard on their handling skills. There was excellent free flowing running rugby on display from both sides with some hard earned, well worked tries. The Wicklow lads put on a formidable performance against two robust Terenure teams.
Next Sunday Wicklow’s minis welcome old rivals Tullow to Ashtown Lane. Meanwhile the under-12 girls will take to the field in Donnybrook stadium for the half time minis match at the Ireland v Italy Women’s Six Nations game.