On Sunday 18th February, those available from the Wigton U10s team travelled to Keswick to take part in a festival which saw nine teams coming together from across North Cumbria. The weather held off and although a bit claggy underfoot, the well-run festival provided a much needed opportunity to take skills and practices from the training field since Christmas into a match situation in 4 x 10 minute matches.

At this age group, there are limitations to the number of players that can commit to the breakdown with the concept of rucking being introduced step-by-step by allowing just one person from either side to assist at the tackle. Having not had a match for several weeks, Wigton set off impressively in their first match against Aspatria showing no signs of rust. The quality went from strength to strength over the consecutive matches against Cockermouth, Carlisle and Egremont. Quick to the breakdown and strong in attack Wigton looked comfortable in attack and defence. The two Alfies (Warwick and Deans) ran very well with ball in hand supported by a strong games from Flynn Manihera and Leon Hunter who all ran and tackled well. Sebastiaan Smit in his first season at the club looked like he’d been playing for years tackling very soundly and looking solid with ball. Robbie Lee, Henry Armstrong and George Tiffin-Lowe took their chances to make ground with ball in hand all three also volunteering to play a game for the opposition at some stage during the festival too when three of the sides we played were short of a full complement, good sports.

All players showed good commitment throughout the festival and some excellent tries were scored. Just as impressive was the defensive effort with the quality of tackling improving considerably since the beginning of the season. Teams that stand out at this age group are the ones that get quickly to the tackle to secure and recycle the ball. This is where the team stood out today – a really good effort.

Final scores weren’t taken given that these festivals are about the taking part and not the winning but it would be fair to say that the team completed the 4 matches with a clean slate!
Well done lads – great effort…