P7 tour to Skipton – September 2009
Following last years successful trip to Dublin, Skipton Yorkshire was to be this year’s destination – Could the boys remain undefeated on tour like last year was the question – course they could. Here is their story …………
Friday 25th
With 13 boys and 11 dads on board the Alex and Richie mobiles, the journey to Skipton was eventful if only because the tour judge was sacked within an hour of leaving due to a lack of rule setting (we hadn’t even crossed the border and there was already dissention in the ranks which has to be a record of some sort). The tour DJs were then banned from using Stonesy’s IPOD for playing Slade’s ‘Wish it could be Xmas’, before we all enjoyed the white knuckle ride that was the A65 in the dark before arriving at Skipton at 9.30 and the Travellodge which would be home for the weekend.
Saturday 26th
After breakfasting at Little Chef, it was time to storm Skipton. We walked into town and explored the Saturday market, the boys quickly making a bee line for the sweetie stall, before walking through the town centre and ending up at the world famous pie shop. A trip on the canal was followed by a bowling competition won by Stonesy with the last throw of the event. We then headed to the club for out first meet up with our hosts at what is great setting. The tour squad watched the opening stages on the Skipton seconds versus Huddersfield in glorious weather, boosting the crowd numbers to what must have been a record attendance. After the watching the first half the boys headed of for a game of touch whilst the adults stayed to shout words of encouragement to our hosts who were getting painfully hammered. After the match and some socialising in the bar it was back into town for the evening entertainment at the Chinese before heading back to the hotel for an earlyish bed ahead of the games the next day.
Sunday 27th
The boys arrived at the club for 10.00 ready and raring to go after their day out in Skipton. After the warm up the boys were ready for their final tour challenge with the games being played out using a mixture of Scottish and English rules with the boys being able to targeting the ball in the tackle/maul and run with only one hand on the ball accepted. This made for some interesting contrasts in style and something the boys had to adapt to quickly.
Skipton 1 v 4 Dunfermline
In the opening game after some initially scrappy exchanges Dunfermline began to exert some pressure and a turnover by Stonesy allowed the ball to be released quickly to Stuart to score in the scorner. Sam followed that up with a score from close in after good hands allowed him some space. Ali then took the chance to drive through the defence and touch down for the third. Halftime allowed a chance for everyone to regroup and learn from the experiences of playing against mauls and targeting the ball for the first time. From the restart Stewart scored with a darting run down the touchline. Chris then nearly scored in the corner after a back line move but was pushed into touch. However Skipton came back into the game and the boys were forced to work hard to keep their advantage, tackling like demons and winning their individual battles against their opposite numbers. Despite losing a try they saw out the game comfortably.
Skipton 0 v 8 Dunfermline
In the second game, Dunfermline played aggressively with everyone contributing to an excellent team performance. Murray Ali and Charlie played well up front with Stonesy, Conall and Dougie all hitting the rucks and supporting the runners. This allowed Matt and Craig quick ball to get the backs running and much of this game was spent in and around the Skipton try line with the boys scoring eight tries and having several near misses. Mark opened the scoring with a barging run following a good turnover by Charlie. Stuart then showed good feet to dance his way from the halfway line to score before Stonesy followed that up with a score form a run in from his own half. Next to score was Euan who pounced on a loose ball following a tackle by Sam in the in goal area. Stuart scored his second with a mazy run before Euan pounced on another loose ball to score his second. Craig then stopped a breakaway with an excellent tackle and from the turnover ball the ball was fed to Sam who crashed over from close in. Ali completed the scoring with a charge from the penalty tap and go from close in.
After the games, handshakes all round, some group photos then back to the clubhouse for food and swapping of presents, medals and ties before heading home.
Tour lessons
- Little Chefs don’t do good breakfasts.
- 20 stone props don’t make good scrum halfs.
- Skipton is a great place and the club were excellent hosts.
- The boys did themselves proud and were excellent ambassadors for the club (again).
Squad on tour
Euan, Dougie, Craig, Charlie, Ali Mcleod, Murray, Ali Stones, Conall, Matt, Sam, Stuart, Chris and Mark