Wicklow RFC Ten Aside Tournament.
On Saturday 24 August 2019, the inaugural “WRFC 10s Rugby Festival” took place at Wicklow Rugby Football Club, Ashtown Lane, Wicklow, County Wicklow.
The pitches were pristine, the facilities shining and the smell of food and prospect of cold refreshments did nothing less than to heighten the anticipation of what, would prove to be an absolutely fantastic day…night.
As the teams warmed up and the crowds gathered to music rocking around the pitches, anticipation and excitement grew until the kick off at 14:30 under beautiful sunny skies. First up was the men’s section with teams from Arklow Rugby Football Club, Enniscorthy Rugby Club, Old Wesley RFC Railway Union RFC and Wicklow. This was followed by the kick off of the women’s section with the BaasBaas (Greystones, Naas, Westmanstown), Railway Union, Tullamore Rugby Club and Wicklow taking part. Finally, the oil was brought out for of old joints as the vets (35+ years and in some cases ++++) took to the pitch with Coolmine Rugby Club Westmanstown RFC Silverbacks and Wicklow putting boots to pitch.
When all was done and dusted, Railway Union put Tullamore to the sword in the Women’s final; the Silverbacks defeated the defiant Garda to win the vets section and Old Wesley won the men’s section after a very entertaining match against Arklow.
The gods were definitely shining down on WRFC as the weather was absolutely fantastic, with the sun stayed out until it finally crept over the hills to make way for the evening part of the festival. A fantastic day (and night) was had by all and after the success and positive feedback from participants and spectators alike anticipation is high, as we begin planning and fine tuning to make next year’s event even more successful than this one.
In addition to our fantastic club sponsors, Bank of Ireland, …. We were really fortunate to have four companies who so generously donated all of the food for the BBQ and Breakfast the following morning. A special thank you to the following:
– Dawn Meats, Ballymount, Co. Dublin
– Subway, Coyne’s Cross, Co. Wicklow
– Panelto Foods, Longford, Co. Longford
– ABP Food Group, Cahir, Co. Tipperary
A huge thank you to all of the volunteers who helped out on the day, our club sponsors and especially to the following businesses who so kindly donated the food in support of our clubs re-development project. Also special thanks to Barry O’Reilly of Wicklow Hire & Sales LTD who provided much needed lighting and equipment for the onsite camping.
Finally, a massive thank you to all of the participants, who made the day the success it was hoped. You truly showed what the spirit of rugby is all about, win, lose or draw. Wicklow RFC plan to make this a major annual event and the Wicklow Ten aside tournament will be back bigger and better again next August. Mark your calendars for next summer.
Leinster Rugby Leinster Women’s Rugby Leinster Rugby Southeast Area