WITH normality starting to return to the UK; it was rugby’s opportunity to take centre stage this weekend as the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup returned at Bath Rugby.
North Dorset RFC hosted an exciting Under-11 and Under-12 grassroots developmental festival on Saturday as youngsters at last got the opportunity to lace up their boots again, with Melksham Rugby Club among the competing teams.
This successful series of nationwide events, now running for nearly two decades and organised by Land Rover – the Official Vehicle of Premiership Rugby – has seen more than 100,000 children take part to date, with some realising their dreams of going on to play for Premiership Rugby clubs.
The likes of Chippenham, Corsham and RWB Rugby Clubs locked horns with Melksham at Slaughtergate in a hugely competitive and enjoyable festival of rugby.
And for Melksham player William Watters, who has experienced a frustrating time away from the pitch, it was a memorable experience as his side finally got back to playing.
Watters, 11, said, “It’s been really different because we are used to training and having a match on Sundays and we have played a team recently but we were really excited to be playing in a tournament.
“We were really hyped because we haven’t been here for a while.”
His teammate Lily Kempton, also 11, agreed, “It has been weird having to split our team in two and playing against them.
“It has been really run getting to play other teams.”
The competition was a fantastic spectacle for those in attendance, with the highly competitive fixtures providing a meaningful platform for youngsters to develop their rugby skills.
Land Rover ambassador Lewis Moody, who racked up 71 caps for England, added, “The return of the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup across the country is a huge boost for grassroots rugby. It is one of the longest-standing national series of rugby festivals for Under-11 and Under-12 youngsters and is always a date in the season that clubs look forward to being part of. Youngsters will learn vital lessons by playing in these festivals, that will serve them on and off the rugby pitch.”