Penrith u12`s take part in Newcastle Falcons tournament

Sunday 8th March 205
Newcastle Falcons tournament
Team:- Dylan Aitken, Jacob Batey, Oliver Bibby, Harry Chambers, Luke Coggins, Llewelyn Giggs, Tom Hill (Capt), Jonny Hope, Elliot Judge, Spencer Lancaster, Bailey Potts, Liam Scott, Mathew Thompson, Thomas Weir, Adam Wilson.
Last Sunday Penrith under 12 rugby Team travelled to Kingston Park home to Newcastle Falcons, to participate in their annual Premiership Land rover cup competition. 25 teams were taking part with the final being played at halftime during the fixture between the Falcons and Leicester Tigers.
For those aspiring players of the future a real treat was in store. As on arrival the team were very excited to learn that their group matches were to be played inside the main stadium on the 4G artificial pitch.
Each group was made up of five teams; with each team fielding 10 players. Four games of 7 minutes each way would be played with the winners of the groups moving on towards the final.
Penrith`s first opponents were Whitley Bay, who kicked off. Penrith made a slow start, but with the backs putting together a good series of passes things started to look more positive. However Whitley bay turned the ball over and caught Penrith flat footed to score a try just short of half time.
The second half saw Penrith working hard taking the ball forward and their hard work was rewarded with a try from Oliver Bibby. Despite pushing hard it was Whitley Bay who scored in the closing minutes to win the match.
Penrith`s second game against Percy Park proved much easier with six tries, three in each half being scored by Penrith. Oliver Bibby opened the scoring with two individual tries, having to manoeuvre around team mates as well as defenders before crossing the try line. Bailey Potts made a strong run forward but was brought down within sight of the line and with Penrith keeping possession this set Spencer Lancaster up to score just before half time.
The second half saw some excellent passing and running by Penrith, who moved the ball out to the wing where Tom Hill powered past the remaining defenders to score twice.
Percy Park mounted a last minute attack but the ball was turned over allowing Oliver Bibby to deftly worked the ball through the demoralised Percy Park defence to score Penrith`s sixth just before half time.
Penrith`s third game was against Tynedale who hit the ground running, catching Penrith resting on their laurels. Before Penrith could get their act together Tyndale had scored three tries and the referee had blown the whistle for half time.
The second half saw Penrith getting their act together, with some excellent passing and solid tackling. They managed to stem the flow and mount some good counter attacks, but it was too steep a mountain to climb in seven minutes and the score remained at 3 tries to nil.
Penrith`s final game was against Darlington Mowden Park. Penrith kicked off and their opponents retained possession winning a scrum and pushing through to score. Penrith worked hard to move the ball forward and Oliver Bibby did well to get the ball to the try line but was held up by defenders and was unable to ground the ball.
Mowden responded with an attack of their own and scored a second try. It was end to end stuff as Penrith hit right back with an excellent try from Jacob Batey.
The second half saw everything to play for and Penrith mounted attack after attack on the Mowden line but could not break through the defensive line.
Despite sterling work from the Penrith players Mowden did eventually break out from their line and run a third try in.
With an opportunity to play against lots of different teams, tournaments like these aren’t all about winning and should be seen as a learning process both for individual players and the team as a whole and I hope they all reflect positively on their performances.
The team and supporters rounded off the day watching the match between Newcastle Falcons and Leicester Tigers. (on the same pitch they had played on in the morning) Ah the stuff of dreams.