Manchester Rugby Festival U7's

Despite the weather on the day being damp and dismal Wigan RUFC’s mini’s had a riotous and victorious day out at the Manchester Festival.

The U7’s battled for more than four hours of Rugby through the pool matches, semi-final and into the final. Payback for months of excellent training, playing and coaching saw every player unequivocally demonstrating their skills and ability.

The team: Archie, Cassius, Jacob, Jensen, Joe, Lewis, Max, Nathan, Oliver, Tyrese, William.

Pool C

Game 1 – Wigan RUFC 3 v 3 West Park RUFC
Jacob scored in response to two early West Park Tries in the first half followed by full length tries from Max and Oliver in the second half. Good tagging throughout by Oliver and William.

Game 2 – Wigan RUFC 4 v 1 Broughton Park RUFC
A dominant Wigan landed three scores in the first half from William, Oliver and Cassius, Wigan led 3-1 at the break. Excellent defence in the second half from both teams made it difficult to score, although Max managed to make the break and touch down with some good side stepping.

Game 3 – Wigan RUFC 4 v 3 Wilmslow RUFC
Two tries by Oliver either side of two tries by Wilmslow in the first half made for a tough second period, even more so as Wilmslow scored first. The 2-3 score didn’t upset Wigan as they retaliated with tries by Jacob and Oliver.

Game 4 – Wigan RUFC 2 v 2 Bowdon RUFC
A hard fought match that saw Wigan going into half time 1-2 down, Oliver crossed following a fast and well organised Bowdon try. Just before half time Bowdon posted their second. Lots of good tagging from both teams in the second half made open play difficult, however, Jacob managed to sneak through with a diagonal run from right to left and put the ball down in the corner.

Semi-final – Wigan RUFC 5 v 3 Vale of Lune RUFC

The first half ended with a very dominant Wigan side 3-0 up, excellent running and passing resulted in tries from Cassius (2) and Oliver. Vale where out to upset Wigan following the break with two tries in quick succession. Wigan halted this resurgence by hammering home tries from Jensen and Oliver. In the final play, Vale hit back with a good consolation try momentarily outplaying Wigan’s defence.

The Manchester Festival U7’s Final – Wigan RUFC 3 v 3 Warrington RUFC

Two teams, offensively and defensively matched, this one was tight! By now our U7’s had developed a healthy respect of the touch line, barely breaching it throughout the game – well done. First half scores by Oliver, then Warrington, and then Jacob had Wigan 2-1 up at the break. Both teams worked hard getting the ball from end to end only to be thwarted, lose the ball and turn over possession. Two second half tries from Warrington with the clock ticking towards the final whistle had Wigan 2-3 down. MOM Tyrese levelled the score line with a jinking last minute run that felt like it was going on forever, taking him all over the field before crossing.
A draw at full time had the stewards evaluating the total festival points of both teams to appoint a winning team. In the end, after a nail biting few minutes, not only was the final match a draw, the festival points tally was also even. The stewards of the Manchester Rugby Festival awarded Wigan RUFC and Warrington RUFC joint winners. Wigan took home gold medals for the players and the silver trophy, Warrington, the silver medals and the gold trophy. Well done both teams.

Big thank you’s to:

Manchester Rugby Club for putting on a well-planned, administered and stewarded festival, the only thing that could be improved for next year would be the weather!

The sausage and beef burger cooks – mmm, although next time please consider using a gas barby (a GM fire service request and everyone within a ½ mile radius who couldn’t see for 10 minutes!)

The parents, for their support with transportation, help keeping the minis in check during down time and touchline encouragement.

Lee Butler, without his patient coaching, the team, instead of being festival winners would probably be chucking the ball everywhere and rolling around wrestling in the mud.