When Brendan Thomas asked if we could host a touring side from Canada the answer was yes. I didn't at the time realise it would be another first for Wilmslow RUFC, this week we saw our first ever Girls Junior Rugby game on the first team pitch. In addition to the Mayfield Mavericks U15/16 Boys Team (From Ontario, Canada), who played our own Wolves team, we hosted the Mayfield U15 Girls team, who played the Manchester U15 girls team. This meant we had over 50 visiting playing, supported by 8 coaches.

On what turned out to be a chilly evening at the Memorial ground all four teams played impressive hard rugby on the field, with camaraderie friendship and lots of laughs off the field. The results for me were not important, as rugby spirit was the winner. The visiting players, from both Mayfield and Manchester, played the games in a great spirit, were wonderful company, seemed to thoroughly enjoy the day, and were great ambassadors of their respective clubs and schools: all their parents must be proud of them. Maybe one of those players may in inspired and we next see them at Twickenham wearing a Canadian shirt!

Having a goal to get Girls / Womans Rugby played in Wilmslow I was amazed at what I saw. A school of 2000 children is able to have over 100 girls try out for their senior rugby team and establish a touring tradition in which a well drilling under 15's team can beat the assembled mass of Cheshire girls (The Manchester Team, was made up of Girls from around Cheshire). It was a close game with only a couple of key players making the difference.

On to our boys. As always, when I watch our teams - whether it is Juniors our Ravens, the opposition run through their drills and warm up (looking very professional), we ambled in, kicked a ball around, and did a Wilmslow preparation! The assembled mass of U15 and U16's Wolves were of course mentally prepared, ahead of important Cheshire Cup semi-finals this weekend. Our U15 and U16's were mixed up to give everyone a chance and the game began.

Given that the Maverick's had played three games in 4 days, from a 25 man squad, the fresher legs and skills of the Wolves proved too strong. That said, this did not mean the Maverick's did not compete. Quite the opposite, given their grueling schedule, the visitors played some exciting rugby, competed well early on and tackled like demons: I hope all our boys came through the game fit enough for Sunday, they will certainly have felt it on Thursday morning.

Given my ambition to get girls / ladies rugby to Wilmslow I asked how a school of 2000 kids can get 100 girls trying out for rugby and deliver an U15 touring side capable of beating the assembled girls of Cheshire?

The answer is simple, and one we know as well: touring traditions!! The assembled tour had arrived in Wales, watched Wales beat Ireland, had a training session with Cardiff Blues, played 3 games (including an evening at the Memorial Ground), shopped at Trafford Centre, watched City get knocked out of Europe, ended up with a tour of Twickenham and a day in the Smoke: who would not want to play rugby!!!! Which is why we will always proudly host touring sides. The Club has never toured Canada.....Hmmmm!

The Mayfield Crest will now join the shields of other great rugby sides to have graced the Memorial Ground: a fitting way to add this first to our history.

All our arrangements worked out well but having the ladies at the Memorial ground did stretch our facilities (particularly the changing rooms): at times I just didn't know where to stand!

As always a few thanks: to Brendan Thomas for the opportunity; to the Mavericks for the shear joy they brought to our club; to the Manchester / Cheshire girls for contributing to our first Junior Girls game at Memorial Ground; to Martin for the whistling skills; to the U15 and U16 coaching staff (particularly Ben) for organising; to Grant and Maurice for sorting out the facilities and grounds; and lastly (but most importantly) to Keith and Fran for food, beverages, and hosting.

Photographs