Lisburn mini rugby players head for the Highlands

The Mayor, Alderman William Leathem, Councillor Thomas Beckett, Chairman of Leisure Services Committee LCC, The Chair and Vice Chair of Sport Lisburn, representatives of Lisburn RFC and other tour sponsors, M.E Crowe, McClelland Salter, The County Kitchen and Mr. Trevor Moffett were all in attendance.

The boys travelled on the day to Scotland to compete against Stirling County RFC and to take part in an invitation tournament in Glasgow against Scottish, English and French club sides, their very own Four Nations Challenge.

Spirits were high and the excitement obvious! Alderman Leathem congratulated the squad on their local success in Ulster, complimented them on their invitation to this international tournament and wished them well in their forthcoming international “tests.”

On Friday, the squad trained at Stirling County RFC under the imposing battlements of Stirling Castle and with the backdrop of the William Wallace monument. Later that afternoon, the boys enjoyed their very own Clan Lisburn Ulster – Scots Highland games. This involved tossing the caber, hammer throwing and tug of war competitions.

Saturday proved to be a formidable challenge for the Lisburn boys pitted against a very strong and capable Stirling County team who had just returned from their own tour of Wales.

Scottish rules determine that the age grouping of their year seven mini boys is 11-12 years. This meant that the Lisburn boys would be playing against older and more physically developed opponents.

The games were fiercely contested with impressive commitment shown by both teams. The outcome saw the Lisburn boys win one, draw one and lose two quarters. This was a fabulous result for the boys given the physical size and strength of their opponents and they were proud of their achievements.

The boys learnt a lot and grew in mental toughness through out the test

The hospitality of Stirling County was very much appreciated and the boys freely interacted with their opposite numbers making friends and reminiscing about the match over pie and beans!

Later the squad visited the magnificent Stirling Castle and finished their day with a tour celebration dinner complete with tour “court case” in keeping with British and Irish Lions tour etiquette.

Sunday saw the culmination of a fabulous trip when the Lisburn squad travelled to Glasgow Hawks for their international tournament.

Once again, the boys faced older and more physically developed opposition with some of their opponents two to three years older.

In their first match, the boys proved their class against the French team Grimaud from Cote D’Azur beating them by four tries to one and playing really attractive rugby.

They faced an equally strong test against Tynedale RFC from the north of England.

This was a closely fought battle but by playing a fast rucking game and moving the ball well around the backline, the boys won threw emerging winners by three tries to one.

With “running repairs” now the order of the day, the boys faced their biggest challenge, the Glasgow Hawks.

Although they played well above even the expectations of their coaches and with a tenacity that will stand them in good stead for their future rugby playing careers, Hawks size differential took its toll and the boys lost by three tries to nil.

They left the field to rapturous applause from all of the other teams with their heads held high and full of pride.

The boys’ final test pitted them against the Buccaneers, a collective team of Irish, Scottish, English and French opponents. Playing extremely entertaining rugby and through maintaining possession phase after phase and by playing together, the final whistle saw them win the game by five tries to nil, a fitting way for them to end their tournament.

The following international celebration, bonding and tour sing song with Northern Irish, French, Scots and English performances was a great way to end the festivities.

An incredibly proud and bonded group of Lisburn men continued to feed off their achievements and excitement all the way home to Lisburn RFC late on Sunday evening.

It is hoped that the boys will recognise their achievements in future years and have memories that will lat them a lifetime.