S2 Tour to Northern Ireland

Early morning baths were in order ahead of the S2 trip to Northern Ireland. However, despite the 7am meet at the club, eyes were bright rather than bleary and excitement was high.

Little did anyone, coaches or players, know what a fantastic experience awaited them.

Cairnryan was soon reached, although packed lunches had largely been consumed well before the 11.30 sailing. That left more time for racing around the decks, buying cologne, playing cards and eating sugary snacks – energy levels are important, after all.

The touring group had decided that some misdemeanours could be punished by being made to wear a tutu or a See You Jimmy hat. Coach Nick was the first to have to don the pink ballet skirt when he forgot his passport (even though he didn’t need it). However, the tutu and hat quickly became popular accoutrements, showing under 14s are a tricky year to second guess.

The introduction to Northern Ireland came on a rather cramped bus to the centre of Belfast, but the bags were soon unloaded outside the grand Europa Hotel. This four-star establishment may have seemed a little opulent for a bunch of teens but it was a well-made match to the point where staff and American guests were gushing in their praise of the boys’ behaviour. What went on in the rooms no-one knows and it is probably best not to ask.

The highlight of the tour was not long in coming – Tesco Express. The outlet across the road from the hotel sold more Pot Noodles, crisps, cereal, ice cream and Lucozade than it was thought possible for 26 boys to consume in four days – the young Reds proved the doubters wrong.

A Zizzi’s meal passed off peacefully, although the obligatory spillage of a water jug did happen, before a walk around the Titanic Quarter and a game of Ten Pin bowling made the effects of an early start and a high sugar intake kick in.

Next morning was match day but any nerves were overtaken by the excitement of a hotel breakfast (mainly from coach Stuart). When Malone Rugby Club only managed to muster a handful of players it became apparent this would be a training match mainly made up of players from the Linlithgow squad. It didn’t matter and was a good run out for the boys. The pizza in the clubhouse afterwards was also a big plus point.

Dinner was a shirt and tie affair at the hotel and the boys pulled it off with aplomb, fitting right in with the other, equally well-dressed, guests. It was also a chance to sing happy birthday to coach Paul who is no longer able to play for the under 18s – a pint of Guinness (they didn’t serve chai tea) and a Colin the Caterpillar cake (which he skilfully cut into 32 pieces for all the coaches and players) rounded off a good evening.

The next morning saw a trip to Bangor and the coach only broke down once, a good sign. What a game it was – the team lost narrowly but the standard of rugby was the highest the S2s had ever played. Everything they had worked on throughout the season came to the fore, from tackling and rucking to pods and back line moves.

There isn’t space to single everyone out on the pitch but mention must go to Jamie and Finlay who missed out after a clash of heads in the warm up. Jamie needed to go to A&E for stitches but was quickly back in amongst his tour mates with a smile on his face.

The coaches had aimed to keep the boys busy and after a lovely lunch at Bangor the bus (which didn’t break down) took them to a water park for more than two hours of high energy fun, including a great game of touch on a floating pitch. By this point it was obvious that no amount of trips to Tesco could alleviate the tiredness of the squad.

So, after the bus had made it back to Belfast the quietest ever team dinner took place before the earliest lights out ever on a youth rugby tour.

The next day the squad were going home but not before a trip to Bredagh Gaelic Athletic Club where the boys were given a grounding in Gaelic Football and hurling, and they gave the local lads a taste of rugby. There was a last lunch in the Bredagh clubrooms – some thought it the best meal of the tour – and an exchange of gifts before the bus returned the party to the ferry.

The boys got back to the club at dusk and there was one last team huddle before they trudged home, shattered and happy.

The S2 coaches would like to send their thanks to all of the sponsors for making this trip possible – Maxi Construction Ltd, Alan Steele Asset Management, Tesco, Round Table, Linlithgow Grange Rotary Club, Calton, Williamscraig and Sainsbury’s. Thanks also to the players for fundraising, the parents for helping and paying, and to the club for all their assistance.