On Friday 20th May, a squad of 21 boys and 5 parents from Stewartr RFC set off on much anticipated end of season tour to Northern Ireland. This was the first time in many a year that this sort of adventure had been attempted, staying in ‘Paddy’s Palace’ in Belfast, before taking in the sights of the street life in Belfast and the Titanic museum on the Saturday morning. The trip was then taken up the coast to Larne, where the boys had a return fixture with their U14 team.
Whilst Larne came out winners by 6 try’s to 1, the score does not reflect the effort and commitment all boys threw at their last game together as a side.This Larne team were a far stronger and calmly efficient team than the one played at Greenlaw in March, especially their number 8, who is seemingly on Ulster radar already. The Stewartry boys tackles and off loads were brilliant to watch and praised by the Larne coach, but Larne’s line speed shut down any promising attacks and it’s very hard to defend all game when up against this quality of play. Stewartry did score through Fin Baillie, who seemed to just ghost through Larne’s defence with Peter Young adding the conversion.
Stewartry were not that far away. On two occasions they were bumped into touch just as tries were to be scored. Not the result the the boys wanted, but they put in a good hard shift and can hold their heads high.
After the game, Larne kindly laid on food for the Stewartry contingent and our time flew past before we had to head off for the ferry and the boogie bus. A pre season trip for Larne to come back to Stewartry has also been agreed in a hope to continue to establish links between both clubs at youth level.
Finally, it has to be said that this bunch of boys have been a credit to themselves and the club this season and their behaviour made this trip. Well done.
