ECCLES JUNIORS In a week where Salford Red Devils have revisited their halcyon days by reaching Rugby League’s Grand Final, the interest in the ‘other code’ of our wonderful game has seen resurgence. The historical correlation between the two codes is strong in our city - Salford and Sale Sharks share a stadium just a mile away from Eccles RFC and Rugby League’s influence on the development of our young Rugby Union players is undeniable. Salford has many high schools that play competitive RL (but non that play RU) and so many of the children attracted to enjoy their rugby at Eccles on a Sunday play both codes naturally. Last Sunday our U14s (who have 8 players representing 4 different RL clubs) hosted Burnley/Rochdale. The result went the way of the visitors as despite the best efforts from club officials, the fixture clashed with the local RL play-offs denying us our cross-code players. The efforts of those players who participated were colossal as we were down to a bare 15. They left the field beaten but not disgraced with the battle scars as proof. We’re not the only RU club in our district who shares their players with RL and the logistics of accom modating players with twin allegiances on a Sunday is becom ing imperative for the future of a lot of our Junior age groups. Would it not be possible for those in the corridors of power of both Rugby codes to better align their seasons to encourage both versions of the game to flourish at grassroots and avoid clubs having to fold junior teams? Having seen at first hand the advantages of juniors playing both codes the evidence continues up to the current England RU World Cup team. I think it’s time to look at the rugby ‘cross-over’. Both codes definitely benefit from taking ideas from each other on the pitch, so why not a similar collaboration in the mutual administration of both games? Enjoy your rugby this weekend! Incidentally, Salford initially remained loyal to the RFU at the Northern Union breakaway in 1895 and the first ever rugby match played under floodlights took place in 1878 between Broughton and Swinton, who joined the RFU in 1871 and were soon recognised as a national force through a policy of recruiting from local junior teams, including Eccles! Paul Fleming, Mini and Juniors Chairman, Eccles RFC
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