Selby u18s Girls Tour 2018

Nine of the u18 girls team and their parents travelled from Selby on 24th March to participate in the Saracens Ladies Day tournament at Allianz Park, London. With an early start, the bleary-eyed teenagers boarded the coach proudly wearing their tour hoodies. Music, chatter, singing and games kept the journey interesting and despite a detour made good time to London.

Arriving at Allianz Park and looking at the large stadium was quite daunting for the girls, but once inside they soon engaged with the Saracens Ladies who were there to give them a coaching session before participating in several 7 a-side games. Unfortunately, only one other u18 team had made it and they had come all the way from Dunkirk, just for the day!

The girls played three short matches against Dunkirk that got more and more heated as they went on. If you have every watched Selby u18s start a match, you’d think they had never played before and this was evident in the first 30 seconds when Dunkirk took charge and scored very early on. That was all the encouragement our girls needed and they soon stood up to the French side and played hard and fast, it was great rugby to watch if not brutal at times. Both sides were reprimanded for flaming tempers and overly enthusiastic gamesmanship! We were all pleased that neither side could understand each other! Our Saracens referee said this was typical play from any French team.

The girls were treated to the Saracens Women’s team take on Harlequins in a thrilling end of season match. At half time the Selby girls played their final match against Dunkirk, tempers had settled down on both sides and a thrilling match ensued, Dunkirk scoring in the last 30 seconds saw them win by 3 tries to 2. An invitation from the Dunkirk side to attend their International tournament was offered at the end of the match, so we parted friends (kind-of)!

After a well-earned overnight stay in Wembley we visited Twickenham Stadium for a behind the scenes tour. What an awe-inspiring place and great value and worth a visit for any buddying rugby player. Hospitality suites, board rooms, Royal box, pitch side, changing rooms and running from the tunnel were all experienced. Not sure the numerous messages left on the white board in the England changing rooms will reach our National squad, but the girls live in hope!

Great therapy for the travelling mums who soon realised we all have the same teenage issues to deal with! We have a fantastic bunch of girls who love their rugby and will go far in life. All-in-all a great weekend had by all.