Over 100 kids flock to Stubbing Lane pitches

There was match action for five-year-olds all the way up to Under 15s, with teams coming from Retford, Ashfield, Tupton and Dronfield.

Five pitches were marked out in front of the clubhouse, to accommodate the tag matches, Under 10s and Under 11/12s.

On pitch one Retford Under 11/12s took on Tupton in two games, each side picking up a win.

Pitch two hosted a Worksop/Retford mixed team, Retford and Tupton Under 10s.

The teams played each other once, and the mixed team won both their games.

Pitches three, four and five were set up for tag rugby involving Worksop, Retford, Tupton, and for the first game a Worksop/Retford team were joined by Ashfield.

Worksop Rugby Club’s junior chairman Justin Poxon said: “These games are more about bringing a bit of fun, enjoyment and playing the basic rules of rugby with the emphasis on all the children running with the ball in hand and scoring tries. “

Having played the first game mixed in with Retford’s spare players, the Worksop team just lost out to Tupton.

Worksop then fielded a full, but, mixed age team against Ashfield and even though they scored a few tries they could not keep up with their opposition.

They then played against local neighbours Retford in a closely fought game.

Poxon added: “Once again the commitment and attitude of all the children was clear for all to see.”

“Over the past few months we have been going into local junior schools and helping out, teaching tag rugby to hopefully get the boys and girls of all ages to come down to the rugby club and do something different and enjoy rugby, win or lose.”

“Unfortunately due to the lack of numbers we have been sending these children over to train and play with our neighbours Retford, and at Worksop we have to give them a huge thank you for coming over to Worksop so we could fulfil our fixture against Tupton.”

Around 30 kids aged 12 to 16 have also been attending training at Worksop and have been registered as an Under 15 team.

Poxon said: “Their main coaches Tim and Andy have got them heading in the right direction”.

“Nearly all the squad turn up for training on Thursday nights and Sunday mornings, they are all a credit and part of the future of this club.”

The 12 and 13-year-olds got their first competitive outing on Sunday, taking victory in a resouding 30-10 win over Tupton and Dronfield.

The Under 15s fielded a full side against Tupton, but things didn’t start well as they conceded a try almost from kick-off.

However Worksop restarted the game and never looked back.

The whole team pulled together, with the forwards winning almost every scrum, ruck, and line-out.

Points came thick and fast with tries from K. Hamdi (5), B. Sherwood (4), B. Lowe (2), R. Chambers and C. Preston.

Extra points were added by R. Waddell, J. Lewis and substitute J. Hands.

The final score was 84-10 in Worksop’s favour, ending the day in style for the hosts.