S1 Torquay Tour - April 2012

After a pleasant 10 hour bus Journey we arrived at our accommodation and after a quick bite to eat and a wee run about it was time to get some shuteye. It was a nice early start for the Kids on Saturday with the first game of the 3 games at 10.30.

Dunfermline 2 v Wolverhampton 1

First up was a big powerful side from Wolverhampton who used their strong runners to great effect through the middle of the park but the Dunfermline S1 kids were up for the challenge and with some fantastic tackling drove Wolverhampton backwards and secured good ruck ball. Dunfermline played some great rugby and didn’t get sucked into a forwards battle with the bigger, stronger Wolverhampton players and by moving the ball through the back secured a well deserved 2 tries to 1 win.

Dunfermline 3 v Abergavenny 0

Next up to face Dunfermline were Abergavenny who were a more athletic side than Wolverhampton who moved through the backs more. Dunfermline were slightly subdued for this game but started very well, dominating the early part of the game with some slick passing and fast rucking but Abergavenny defended well to prevent Dunfermline converting all of the chances they had into tries. In the second half Dunfermline were showing the effects of the hard opening game and were too often isolated when carrying the ball making the second half much harder than it should have been.

Dunfermline 3 v Ellingham & Ringwood 3

The coaches tried to lift the tired Dunfermline players for this game but it was obvious from the start that this was going to be a bit of a slog. Ellingham & Ringwood were a well drilled side who used the maul to great effect and again the Dunfermline lads were sucked into playing a mauling game, that doesn’t suit them, and were unable to take control of the game. In the end it was only through some great defending and the odd flashes of good support play and running rugby that Dunfermline managed to secure a well deserved draw.

Day 2

Sunday was again another early start and because the kids had finished top of their group on Saturday they were guaranteed to finish no lower than 4th. The first game was again a 10.30 kick off.

Dunfermline 2 v Newark 6

After a long warm up to stretch off the tired bodies the kids started this game brilliantly and were in control for the first 10 mins of the tie. Showing some great running rugby, fast rucking and great support play but to their credit Newark defended well and prevented Dunfermline the break through try that their pressure deserved. The Newark team than started to take control of the game and from that point onwards Dunfermline were always struggling to get back into it and with the coaches having to make a raft of changes due to injuries Newark ran out worthy winners.

Dunfermline 5 v Wolverhampton 2

After the disappointment of losing the semi final the coaches had to lift the kids’ spirits to get them up for the 3rd / 4th play off against Wolverhampton. It was obvious from the kick off that the Dunfermline team wanted the win and they played some of their best rugby of the weekend. It was all their, good hard tackling, moving the ball through the backs, fast ruck ball and the willingness to try different moves and tactics even if they didn’t always work. In the end the kids ran out worthy winners.

All in all in was a great tour with the S1 kids doing themselves and the club proud in what was a very high quality competition. A big thanks to all the kids, parents and coaches for making it such a good tour.

Finally on behalf of the coaches and players of Dunfermline U13/S1 Rugby I would like to congratulate all the coaches and players of the teams we played for making the tournament what it was. The kids from all teams were a credit to their clubs and it was great to see such a good standard of rugby played and in such a good spirit.