Junior rugby
BARNARD Castle RUFC’s junior sections made good progress throughout the 2017-18 season.
Of particular note is the development of the number of girls playing rugby within the club. From the U7 through to U11 age groups the rugby is mixed and the girls playing in the teams across these ages have performed superbly this season. Indeed, the common theme throughout the presentation evening this year was the regularity of the performance awards going to female players, such as Annabelle Tiplady winning an Unsung Hero award at U8.
The girls’ section takes over for female players from U12 age, and The Gatorz have just finished their first full playing season.
Their high standard of play typified by having four girls called up to the county squad. The Gatorz are already preparing for an even more exciting season ahead, with plans for a tour and playing further afield in Cumbria and Yorkshire. The new season’s plan also includes growing from the current three girls’ teams, and hopefully having a ladies’ touch rugby team (See also below).
The youngest players in the club in the U7 and U8 tag rugby section started with the highest numbers seen at the club in this age range for years and despite the terrible winter weather, many of the players carried on throughout the season. The use of the school sports hall for Sunday morning training in the worst of the winter certainly helped.
The enthusiasm and energy for playing rugby was typified by the likes of Barnaby Tiplady and Kieran Armstrong, both of whom received end of season awards for their commitment and exciting play.
The U11 team started training early last season, with extra Thursday night sessions introduced into the schedule.
This helped them transform from a group of talented individuals into a rugby team who moved the ball to space with fluent passing.
This helped them beat teams that in the past had bigger, stronger players and with the exception of a good Blaydon team they went undefeated all year. For the coming season the team aims to build on that success, and as they become the U12.
The U13s had another great season, marred only by the weather and some injuries. The team had great success against clubs such as Blaydon, Guisborough and Mowden Park, and are looking forward to getting into the County Cup competition next season. As this squad move up to become U14s for the 2018-19 season there is a big need for more players, and we are keen to hear from any lads in the surrounding areas that might not be getting enough playing time with their current local club.
The U15s continued to be one of the strongest teams in the North East. They are continually playing at an elite level and lost only one of 11 regular season games – in the last seconds.
Highlights included beating main rivals Northern by more than 30 points and comfortably defeating Mowden Park, home and away. The squad is getting stronger every season and injuries saw opportunities arise for a number of other players.
On tour in Wales they comfortably beat Haverfordwest in the first game and ended the season losing a thrilling game in the last seconds against the huge and undefeated Tenby.
Training resumes on Sunday September 2. Meanwhile, the club is looking forward to a community open day and BBQ on Saturday, August 11.
From 1pm to 3pm there’ll be fun “have-a-go” rugby activities on the Demesnes for all age groups from U7 through to trying “walking touch rugby” for those who fancy some fun team exercise. Then it’s back to the clubhouse between 3pm and 5pm for a BBQ. The junior teams will also be running further have-a-go sessions and RFU supported events during the summer holidays. For further details contact andy.howard@ bcrufc.org.
