Preston Grasshoppers Festival Under 8s

Players: Joe, Jack, Daniel, Thomas, Callum, James, Leo, Ethan, Lewis, Joshua, Blake

Weather: Cracking the flags then brass monkeys.

Pitch: Good to firm

The world of mini rugby festivals is unique in the wide world of sports. It presents not only physical challenges (standing up for six hours when you forget your folding chair) but mental ones as well (working out if you have time to walk back to clubhouse for a sausage butty before the next game). Time can move very slowly and then things can take place in the blink of an eye. They are not for the faint hearted or badly prepared.

And so it was at Preston on a momentous day for the club. We arrived at the allotted hour. We paid our admission (fiver). We looked at the glossy programme. We marvelled at the programme of proposed fixtures. We looked at our watches and noted it was ten to ten. Then we found out that our first game was at 12.40. As I say, not for the faint hearted.

We set up camp by Stuart Carter club gazebo - an impressive erection by anyone's standards. And waited. Zac manfully took the boys away to throw a ball around. But that only took ten minutes. Then, like a bolt out of the blue, news came through the first game had been brought forward. Using all his experience and his razor sharp wits, Wayne assembled the boys, put belts and tags on them and lead them into battle.

The first game was against a useful Vale of Lune side. The boys hadn't really got into their stride. The games were five minutes each way. Although they played well they lost 5-2. A few tears were shed but Wayne soon got over it and we quickly moved onto the next game against Fylde. The beauty of the format is that you can wait for hours then play two games back to back. This gave the boys no time dwell on the first game. They came into their own. Tags were expertly grabbed, running was strong and the tries started to come. James and Joe led the way. Jack was all industry and mazy running. The second game was won 5-2. Time for a quick butty and a drink.

As they were the hosts, this gave Preston the opportunity to field 104 sides in each age group. Our next opponents then were Preston White. They proved no match for the boys who were now hitting their stride. Another 7-5 victory. The boys were getting stronger. Dan Horcan was running riot, Leo was dazzling with his footwork, Blake was tying them in knots. We were through to the semi final. This is where Wayne played his tactical trump card. Instead of having the boys prepare with some carefully choreographed drop off moves, he let them chase each other and wrestle on the floor. Said it relieved tension. Other coaches made hasty notes in their Louis Van Gaal style note books. Clever.

The semi final will go down as a landmark in festival rugby etiquette. A tight game against another Preston team (Preston Fireflies White - don't ask). Wigan took an early lead - this is very important in this part of the story. The game was close. Joshua, Ethan and Lewis were excellent. They tagged their hearts out. The crowd were enthralled. So enthralled that they lost count of the score. The final whistle blew. It was 5-5! A draw.! Was there extra time? Golden try? Rock, paper, scissors? The players and coaches crowded round the official. A giant of a man, he didn't bat an eyelid. He referred to the playing conditions and quoted Rule 4.2 paragraph three. "In the event of a tied game whereby both parties doth consent forthwith and without equivocation to form consenting alliance then the party with the primary exertion shall prevail". It was as clear as day, Wigan had won. On the lesser known first try scored always wins a drawn game rule. Simple. The boys were in the final. But who to play?

As preparation, Nathan Butler (Under 10s sharp shooter) shared some of his rugby wisdom with the boys. This was done in the form of taking them into some woods to find a massive stick each. A right of passage.

The final was against Preston Fireflies Green (again, I have no idea). Armed with the knowledge that the first try was vital, Joe danced over the line for the opening score. Wigan then built what looked like an unassailable lead. But the Green Fireflies buzzed back. It got to 5-5. Seconds left on the clock. The ball got into the hands of James Deacon. Then things went into slow motion. A Snow Patrol soundtrack started to play. He eased past the first defender, danced round the second, hurtled for the line. The crowd followed him down the touchline. He went across the line and scored. The final whistle blew. Victory was ours. 6-5. Get in!

In his post match interview Wayne looked drained (he also looked like he bitterly regretted the shorts and T-shirt choice because by now the sun had gone and it was about minus 7). He admitted that the boys had played better than this during the season, "the boys have played better than that this season". He also said that no-one can question their heart and desire to win. A Wigan boy with a rugby ball in his hands is force of nature, prepared to take on and beat insurmountable odds (that last bit was me, not Wayne).

An excellent, memorable day out. A massive thank you must go to Wayne and Zac. Sadly Zac had to leave at 12 and missed the action (some joker stepped in and messed up the substitutions!). It was a day the boys will never forget and a lot of that is down to Wayne's enthusiasm and patience. A big thank you on behalf of all the parents.