‘Rugby Fest’ proves a huge success

The aim was to involve as many youth players and members of the community as possible in the festival which this year was supporting the Children’s Hospice.

The events began with children from Castle Tower Special School coming to Eaton Park where they enthusiastically took part in games organised by Tom Wiggins, Gary Donald and Scott Muir from the Mini Section. T

he children had a ball in the sunshine and then were treated by the Club to chicken and chips. The boys and girls then were photographed having medals presented to mark their participation on the day.

The afternoon then saw children from four local primary schools taking part in a primary TAG Blitz. The children were from St. Bridgid’s. Carniny, Ballymena and Ballykeel primary schools. The afternoon was again a great success with over 70 children playing rugby in glorious sunshine.

In the evening the youth players both from Ballymena and local clubs given the opportunity to take part in the events.

The Under 13s took part in a blitz which saw them play the best rugby of their season defeating Randalstown 20 -14 and then finishing off by defeating rivals Ballyclare 25–7.

Next up were the Under 15s who took to the ‘big pitch’ to play Ballymoney. After a shaky start in which they conceded an early try the boys soon got to grips with playing n the 1st team pitch and showed the form which took them to an Ulster Cup semi-final. Some strong second half rugby saw the Under 15s run out winners by 26–7.

The last event of the day saw the Under 17s taking on Coleraine. From the outset the boys proved to be too strong for their opposition and they ran out comfortable winners 35–0.

However the day was not about winning rather it was a chgance for everyone in the Club and the local community to come together and enjoy the fun whilst supporting a very worthwhile cause. Teachers at both the Special School and the Primary School’s were very appreciative of being invited to take part.

The two-day event culminated on Saturday with the Barbarian Cup match which saw the Ballymena Barbarians prove too strong for Schools’ Cup winners Campbell College in a 49-10 success.

That match was preceded by a meeting of Ballymena Barbarian under-21s against their Ulster under-20 counterparts and the home team again emerged victorious by 35 points to 31.

In total, the two-day event raised around £2,000 for the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice - a brilliant end to a fantastic weekend of rugby.

Don’t miss this week’s Ballymena Times for a photo special from the Rugby Fest.