Royal Wootton Bassett U12’s have had their first taste of competitive rugby this season via the Dorset & Wilts Cup and what a taste is has been.
Having had a squad of around 32 boys - with a handful new to rugby this season and at least 5 players new to RWB - we knew that ensuring all played a part was going to be the main aim to help retain all of our players both new and experienced. However, as a coaching and management team we felt that this competition would be good experience for this large and talented squad, and we were most certainly not disappointed.
All boys played their part throughout the competition, we balanced the players during fixtures to ensure that we didn’t over play our more experienced boys and blended in the developing boys to give all a true match experience which they would value, and most of all, bring them back to training the week after.
Having a large bench for all games meant we could really keep the tempo high and our boys enjoyed the approach in a more 7’s style to game play. Taking this approach allowed a very easy delivery of the voluntary half game regs we had adopted this season that is being rolled our as a part of regulation 15 next season.
RWB vs Bournemouth Final
After a group stage which saw loads of brilliant rugby played by the squad we found ourselves in a Cup Final against Bournemouth. Bournemouth U12s had also made a strong start in their D&W campaign, so we all made the trip to a neutral venue in Salisbury for the final, full of anticipation and nerves for our first taste of a competitive final and what might lie ahead. At this point, credit must go to Salisbury RFC for being excellent hosts - not only allowing us to play this fixture, but to allow to use their 1st team pitch, supply a D&W referee and cook a magnificent post match curry - thank you hugely!!
After the referee’s mandatory player briefing, onto the job in hand. From the starting whistle our boys attacked the breakdown like we haven’t seen all season, rucks were won, phases were completed, turnovers gained, clean ball was secured and the boys were released to run with the ball in hand and play some great attacking rugby.
When we lost the ball we stayed connected, we tackled, we closed the space, we forced their decision making and kept the pressure high on our opponents. The way the squad played both with and without the ball was a joy to watch. Tries were scored from across the pitch with our boys coming off off as the winners at 45 - 10.
Bournemouth were fantastic sports, displaying a never-give-up attitude. A talented age group that we'd hope to play again in the future.
Finally thank you to Nick, Jacqui and the rest of D&W organisers for running this competition, thank you for organising medals and trophy. Thank you Richard, a D&W representative who watched the match and was very positive about the good work achieved by our boys, and as RWB RFC as a whole.
As the season draws to a close and out tour beckons, our eyes are now on what the 2019/20 season will bring.
