Market Bosworth 12 Vs Stafford 7
Market Bosworth 34 Vs Stafford 7

Terriers Tour provides entertainment for all.

With the decision made earlier this season to do a day tour rather than a weekend and to repay the pre-season visit of Market Bosworth it was going to be interesting to see how the day would go.

Well first off a massive well done to all those involved in the organisation, two coaches, 30 or so players, a host of parents and supporters and a great day had by all.

Despite the early rain greeting those arriving at Stafford the bacon butties and hot brews were more than enough to keep the spirits high on the 40 or so mile trip to Leicestershire.

On arrival we were warmly greeted by both the home team coach and a lovely spring day. The amount of players available meant a 15 a side match and a 10 a side game would take place at the same time on adjacent pitches which makes taking notes and trying to watch like being on centre court at Wimbledon so if I missed anything my apologises.

So lets start with the 15 a side game, at the beginning of the season we were beaten comfortably by a score of 5-25, this Terriers team though has grown a lot over the year and is playing rugby at a level far beyond that which started the season with.

It was clear from the off it was going to be a physical and high paced game with both teams carrying the ball in at full pace and defenders not giving an inch and repelling each attack. Carta made good early yards but despite his efforts, Stafford found themselves on the back foot territorially. Whilst in there own 22 there was a loose pass from a ruck and some further miscommunication in the backs led to the ball being dotted down by the home team and Stafford looked as if they needed to get moving through the gears (7-0).

This would clearly wake the team up and they would respond with phase after phase, carry after carry, yard after yard, making their way up the pitch, in the backs Finn and Leon were starting to see ball, in the pack Danail and Mason were recycling ball after ball and the scrum was dominating at almost every restart. This pressure would pay off after a bunch of phases (I lost count after 11) of ball retention the gap appeared for Jude to burst through and close the gap , Will B added the extras and it was all level (7-7).

Stafford were looking the better team and only some untimely knock ons and some very good defence kept the Terriers from extending their lead. All the players were now seeing the ball with Dex and Ollie making good ground in the centre of the pitch and Jake being stopped just short after a great break down the outside.

As the half time whistle blew both teams (down to 14 due to an injury) knew the second half was going to be a grind.

Into the second half and much of the same, Stafford were again making the hard yards and were again stopped by small errors. It was another error that led to the home team taking the lead. As a whistle sounded from the 10s game, players on both teams stopped in the 15 a side match believing it to be the Referee on their game, one player who didn’t stop was on the Market Bosworth team who continued playing and scored to the disbelief of many watching (12-7). No matter what you think of the decision by player, coaches, ref etc the try counted. It seemed fitting that the conversion was blocked by Finn H.

This really ignited the fire and Stafford would start to throw everything at the home team, penalty after penalty was being given away by the opposition and drive after drive was repelled on or close to the line, Danail believed he had scored but dotted down over the 5 not the try line. Jack came close only to be stripped as the maul went over. Am sure all in attendance would have loved the last second drama of a try with a touch line attempt to win it ! But sadly it wasn’t to be and despite the huff and puff , we couldn’t quite blow the house down. An amazing effort though and as the final whistle went you could see and feel the disappointment in the players who had left it all on the pitch. In the huddle , praise was handed out by both the Terriers coaches and also the home team coach who said despite the score , we had won that game.

It was one of those games ! MOTM for me was Danail, he was everywhere today in attack and defence, but it was very close between him and the other 14 players who wore the shirt with pride and played with real passion today.

In the other game it was a completely different affair, 15s has two clear areas of play , forwards and backs. 10s and 7s is a completely different affair, the pitch is big and every attack counts.
Like the 15s game it was some loose hands when attacking from deep that led to the home team opening the scoring (5-0).

But Stafford would soon be at it and great breaks from Matty and some lovely hands saw Mikey almost get the equalising try. Stafford were competing at the break down and fronting up against a bigger team with Carter and Sam every industrious around the break down. It looked like an even game as Rich and Mikey again made good ground down their respective wings only for last ditch tackles stopping the potential equaliser.

Stafford though would get their reward when a kick through by Harry W would keep the pressure on the defence and the same player would make a tackle out wide, release cleanly and have the ball away , scampering over the line and adding the conversion (5-7). (Imagine if I had missed that !)

That would be the half time score as a lung bursting 20mins came to an end. Another 30mins in total would be played during which time the pace and size of the home team (and numerical advantage as at one point it was 12 vs 10 not sure how) would see them score 4 unanswered tries to win the game but you could not fault the efforts by the Terriers. Rio clearly got under the home teams skin and Joe carried with power and pace as always to the end. The commitment was on display everywhere you looked, Will V putting in some tackles and Harry N making breaks against much bigger players .

The score line was one sided but like the 15s game, the team came off having battled and not let anyone or themselves down which can only be applauded.

Despite the scores, a great afternoon was had afterwards with a display of fashion not seen anywhere other than catwalks of Milan and Paris. Victories by both the parents and players in the boat races and an invite back to their club for a 10s tournament next season.

After a non stop day the trips back saw some supporters get some much needed rest ! A brief pit stop allowed one bus to get a quick refreshment on board and all participants returned to the club for food, further refreshment and of course court. It is great to see the lads joining in and getting involved, even if Dylan needs to learn some more dance moves from his dad !!

Well done all for a great ‘one day tour’, Terriers family doing what we do best – good rugby and good times.

We have one more week of training and then presentation weekend to finish off an excellent season.

As always a quote to finish which this time does not come from the bowels of the internet but from one of our own parents, I am aware that at times visiting teams on tour will temporarily borrow an item from another club house and these japes have gone on for years. At the suggestion of taking a much bigger item namely their scrum machine, the comment of “We’ll leave it here as they clearly need the practice” was made and summed up how far this team has come and the great effort they have all put in.