Exmouth Withycombe RFC U11 side to head to Twickenham for Premiership final

By Paddy Fairbanks

Following a hugely successful day at the Land Rover Cup at Crediton, the team have also bagged themselves a trip to HQ for the Premiership final!

Sunday 9 October saw the WRFC U11's travelling to Crediton RFC for the Premiership Rugby Land Rover Cup, organised and run by the Exeter Chiefs. This is a festival of rugby for U11 & U12 teams from across the South West region and competition for places is keen. The team joined 15 other clubs from across the South West, as far afield as Penzance, to take part in six matches throughout the day.

Whilst the ethos of the day is very much about espousing the core values of rugby (in short respect, teamwork, enjoyment and sportsmanship), it is fair to say that team excelled in their six matches, playing some excellent attacking rugby and providing a solid defence throughout the day.

There are always standout individual plays, but the team worked wonderfully together, supporting very well in rucks, and despite kicking only being introduced to them this season, showed a very mature level of tactical play where a number of kick-chases yielded try-scoring opportunities.

Whilst we as coaches will very much remember the day for the quality of play and the way in which they conducted themselves on and off the pitch, it must be said that the day provided some added special highlights. The team were able to meet current Exeter Chiefs player Jacques Vermeulen and the legendary Martin Johnson.

Withycombe RFC U11s with former England player and manager Martin Johnson (Withycombe RFC)

If it couldn't get any better, the day was rounded off in the final presentation from Exeter Community Chiefs, where the team were honoured to be picked from the boot bag to be guests at the Premiership Rugby final, to be held at Twickenham in May 2023. Whilst there, the team will take to the pitch at half time to walk alongside clubs from across the country as part of the Land Rover Defender Cup. I don't think I can adequately describe the team's reaction, players, parents and coaches alike!

We would very much like to extend our thanks to Crediton RFC, Exeter Community Chiefs, the referees and all those who played a part putting the event together. It's not a day that will be forgotten any time soon!