Independent Schools Rugby Club
Under 11 Tour Dublin 2012
On a bright cheerful Thursday afternoon in late March, a group of teachers met excited at the prospect of having several days off school! Equally excited were the 16 boys selected to represent the Independent Schools as they embarked on their tour of Dublin.
The first evening got off with a bang as the kit was handed out, "Pink - is that for us?" was the opening question. The boys sat down to their evening meal, it soon emerged that the group were like a bunch of long lost friends as they shared stories and chatted. The parents and staff made the most of "the Black Stuff" as they quickly got to know each other.
The boys were told to get a good nights rest and be down for breakfast for around 8am. It was quite worrying to get down to find two of the boys in their all-in-one teddy night suits - there were clearly worrying times ahead. Most of the boys had been up since the crack of dawn in eager anticipation of the day ahead. Breakfast was just what was needed, with a selection of white and black pudding followed by a full fry up - it certainly beat school breakfasts! After the short team meeting the boys clambered onto the bus looking very smart in their pink tops. The team arrived at Blackrock College which is the starting point for many of Irelands finest rugby players.
With over 200 boys in each year group, we were always going to be in for a tough match. Training started with a host of prying eyes checking out the English competition. Moves were worked out and the boys put through their paces in preparation for the afternoon game. We were told that the college had not lost a game at under 11 age for some years. We were put on a postage stamp size pitch with a vast crowd closing in on the boys. The game started at a frantic pace, but a quick score for the Lambs soon settled nerves. The Irish play 5m back from each break down which made life hard. However, some intense work at the break down led to another score. In typical Irish fashion, they came back with all guns blazing. We soon found the scores tied with minutes remaining. The Irish coaches were on the pitch and at one point we even thought they were going to make some tackles. Some great back play by the Lambs resulted in a try with 2 added minutes already played. The Irish then managed to find an extra 4 minutes past the 22 already played, but it was not enough as the Lambs beat Willow Park 15-10. You have never seen a pitch empty so quickly after the match as we were left standing in an empty school without another sole to be seen!
After the game, the boys headed off for the eagerly anticipated tour of the Aviva Stadium. It was great to see where the professionals play and have a good look at their dressing rooms - hopefully some of our team might be seen there in years to come!
The next day was the tournament at St Michaels College. We were warmly welcomed to the College where there was a four team tournament. The opening game was against a local club side who found themselves 25-0 at half time. We struggled to weaken the team to help prevent a further onslaught as there were so many strong players on the bench. The Lambs ended up winning 50-5.
The second game was not much different as another local club side found the going incredibly tough going. The tackling was ferocious by the Lambs as four opposition players were taken off injured. The opposition coach finally called a halt to the game at half time as he said that he had never come across such a talented and hard hitting team. It was some compliment but disappointing that the game could not continue.
The final game was against the hosts, St Michaels College who were equally matched in size. The game got off at a frantic pace with mistakes a plenty under the pressure of strong tackling from both sides. The Lambs made the opening score with a darting try from the scrum half. St Michaels bounced back instantly with a well worked team try. With a large crowd encouraging both teams, the intensity rose. The Lambs seemed to cope better with the pressure with a wonderful team try which went through numerous forward phases before being finished off with some slick handling by the backs and a try in the corner to win the match and the tournament.
After the match ended, the hospitality at St Michaels was wonderful. Their mums and supporters laid on a superb spread of food and drink as the players from both sides mingled and discussed the days events. The tour sadly had to come to an end. With a host of goodbyes and farewells, some of the players and parents departed for the airport, whilst some followed the coaches towards Croke Park for some Hurling and Gaelic Footbal.
Player of the tour was given to Ross Hanekom from the Beacon. I would also like to say a big thank you to for the help of the other coaches - Mr Callun and Mr Waldrop who were both fantastic in the support with the coaching and care of the boys whilst also being great fun! Also a big thank you to the parents who were extremely relaxed and great company whilst propping up the hotel bar. The boys mixed well together and were a lot of fun around the hotel, along with being incredibly talented and slick on the rugby field. We look forward to seeing some of the boys again over the next couple of years with the under 13 Independent Schools Rugby.
Jason Hyatt - Tour Leader
Squad : James Cherry (Taverham), William Cook (Thomas' Clapham) ,Tommy Freeman (Culford) ,Alfie Gibson (Millfield) ,Thomas Goode (St Benedicts) ,Ross Hanekom (The Beacon) ,Dan Harding (The Beacon) Leo Higham St Martin's Ampleforth ,Alastair Llewellyn-Palmer (Cheltenham) ,Charles Pargeter (Bronte House) ,Andre Robson (St Martin's Ampleforth) ,William Sinfield (Shrewsbury House) Harry Williams (Lambrook) ,Matt Williams (Monkton) ,Oliver Udy (Norwich) ,Jack van Poortvliet (Taverham)
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