ECCLES JUNIORS Christmas is upon us and the year has flashed by! From the normal soap-box grumble I compile here, I’d like to share some recent experiences of being able to watch some of our age groups from the U7s up to the U16s. With coaches Danny and Rachel Nichols now established with the U7s, the sight of these young pups running around the Astro turf on a cold Sunday morning would warm the rugby hearts of the grizzliest of front row players! Their excitement was amplified recently as Father Christmas turned up… Some can be excused for thinking it was either Dave Alcroft or Danny Taylor, but no, I’m assured it was genuinely Santa! I also got to coach a session with our U12s where we brought them together with the U13s. The blend was seamless and to see these boys developing their rugby skills in this way is testimony to Coach Martin Ogden. My group, the U14s: since they came ‘second’ to Preston GH, they have ‘turned a corner’ with their recent performances following wins against Orrell and Winnington Park. This Sunday they have a tough test in the Lancs Cup against Trafford MV, but if they produce the type of rugby they’re capable of doing, there’s no reason why they can’t enjoy a good cup run this year. We have a strong squad and the ability to bring on front row replacements during games is vital. I also got to watch our U16s at Sedgley Park recently; the standard of rugby these boys can produce is wonderful! Henry Dutton tackled his opponent, got back to his feet, ripped the ball then galloped off to score a try from nothing! Sam Crowther then threw the most outrageous pass from ‘the back door’ just as he hit the floor after a tackle, not only did it find the hands of his supporting player, it also created a try! The reason I wax lyrically here is due to the calibre of rugby that we are trying to emulate within the junior ranks at Eccles and it returns us to the club mantra of developing ‘Home Grown Talent’! Well done to all the age groups this year and a Happy Christmas to you all! Paul Fleming
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