Melksham Rugby Minis & Juniors under-10s had an experience of a lifetime when they played at the renowned Twickenham Stadium, before watching Bath Rugby win against Harlequins, on Saturday 22nd April.
A team of 20 under 10s, parents and coaching staff from Melksham Rugby Club set off at 6.15am to play four games in the 82,000-seat stadium, famous for hosting the Six Nations Championship, the Rugby World Cup, the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, and other international games.
Competing in the touch rugby event against teams including Reeds Weybridge RFC and Lewes RFC, the Melksham players showed off their skills to over 500 parents and club members of different teams.
Head coach of Melksham under 10s, Scott Simmons said, “It’s absolutely amazing. It’s a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity for them all just to see all the smiles on their faces. Running onto that pitch was absolutely amazing and a very proud moment for me and all the parents and Melksham Rugby Club. It’s pinnacle for a lot of these guys and if they stay in the game, it is a memory they can take all through their life, it’s absolutely amazing. We will never forget this day. Parents, children, families and rugby club, everyone is super proud.”
After competing, the teams watched a live performance by the rock band, Kaiser Chiefs, followed by the Gallagher Premiership match between Bath Rugby and Harlequins, which was won by Bath, 45-35. During half-time, Melksham’s Minis & Juniors under-10s walked around the pitch to be praised as grassroots players by the 44,148 ecstatic fans. As ambassadors for the game, the youngsters waved and cheered back at the crowds.
Playing rugby on the same pitch as famous players including Jonny Wilkinson, a member of the Melksham Minis & Juniors under 10s team, Cerys Hughes said, “It was cool, but scary and fun. It was scary because it was so big and it was fun because we got to play. It’s cool to play on the pitch where big teams have played and I liked seeing us play on the big screen.”
One parent, Steve Nicholls said, “It’s been an experience of a lifetime for the team to play on this ground. We are all so proud of them, it brought a tear to the eye watching my daughter run out alongside her team mates onto such hallowed ground”.
Melksham Under 10s meet on a Friday evening, 6pm at the Oakfield stadium. All are welcome.
Pictured: Back row players l to r: Sofia Menghini Nicholls, Megan Thomas, Sophie Cox, Nia Goodwin-Fielding, Beau Caven, Archie Brailey, Freddie Green, Kristian McNally, Daniel Pantall, Cerys Hughes, Oscar Guley, Betsy Southcott, Elsie Simmons, Eva Goodwin-Fielding, Betsy Harvey
Front row players l to r: Oliver Brailey, Eric Allen, Owen Lakey, William Matthews, Oscar Clunie
Coaches l to r: Sam Cox, Clive Green, Aimee Thomas, Scott Simmons Luke Brailey and Aaron Brailey
