Under 15s tour to Exeter

Great Weather, Great company, Great rugby = Great tour!

Great Weather, Great company, Great rugby = Great tour!
Need we say more………………?

What a great way to end the U15s season. So we had some highs and some lows during the season but as soon as the boys started believing in their own abilities we started seeing some entertaining and quality rugby…………this all culminated in some fantastic rugby on tour.

Following a 3.5hr coach journey, the first game on Friday night was a tough affair against Clevedon RFC, finishing with a scoreline of 12-10 to Clevedon…….however, constantly having to work against some very odd decisions I think we did fantastically well and in my eyes were easily the winners (definitely played the better rugby).

On to the game against Taunton…….what a nice touch of the Taunton coach to announce the boys out of the tunnel and onto the floodlit pitch. Again we had to contend with some odd decisions from the referee, however we were now very much into our stride. Some supurb free flowing, well supported rugby was witnessed. After 20 minutes of play Banbury started to step up another gear linking brilliantly, with backs and forwards all playing their part and from this point Taunton never looked like they would threaten. The final score at 33 – 19 to Banbury.

On to Exeter for a late checkin to the Jury’s Inn hotel who looked after us magnificently and made life very easy.

Saturday morning saw us have a bit of free time to explore Exeter and then on to Karting for the boys………where Giano took the 1st on the podium with Sam J 2nd and Harvey J 3rd. The boys had a fantastic time racing each other.

Saturday night saw us out into Exeter for a curry and not too late a night!!

Sunday check out of the hotel and onto the coach for an hours journey to Bridport. A gorgeous sunny morning saw the boys really come into their own and work as ‘well oiled machine’. Whilst Bridport weren’t a pushover, the Banbury under 15s were a very much a class above and again we saw a superb display of team rugby, executing a plan we’d been working on for the last couple of months, the whole team again stepped up their game and it was great to have Will T back in the squad after a period of injury.

60 – 0 win

At the end of the day those that had toured were asked to give their opinion of the Player of the Tournament……….I’m pleased to announce that that award went to Quentin. Wearing the 10 shirt for the tour whilst Will moved to 12, Quentin was consistent in all the games he played in delivering great service to the backs and a display of some great kicking……..a well deserved award.

The was a fantastic U15s tour proving to the boys they really are a great team and a real force to be reckoned with. It shouldn’t go without saying that the all the boys treated the tour as it was designed; to have fun, play great rugby and bond as a squad in preparation for the U16s season. The boys behaviour was exemplary and it was a genuine pleasure to have taken them on tour.

Report from Nick Jones