Barking Under 14s Gibraltar Visit

The final games of the season for the Dragons saw the visit of Barking under 15s.

The boys from Barking had two games booked against Malaga and the Dragons but due to a mix up with Malaga, who tried to field a Under 17s side, Gibraltar fielded two teams over two days against the Barking under 14s boy's.

The first day consisted of the boys literally walking out of school at 12.40 and playing rugby five minutes later, they were uncoordinated and un-disciplined against a strong and determined Barking team.

Barking showed the difference against a team that has played 8 games all season to a team that generated co-hesion. Barking tackled well, threw the ball wide and were led from the front by a Saracens academy player and it showed. The Dragons gave it there all but were a meter slow and it showed in the final score line of 59-0.

The Friday game was different, the dragons had time to psyche themselves up, mentally prepare themselves, we had a full pitch, a referee who flew in especially, and perfect weather.

Both teams lined up and prepared for a gladiatorial conflict and that is what we had. What Gibraltar Dragons lack in games skill and expertise they make up for in enthusiasm and endeavour, and the first half was a battle of endeavour. The Barking boys scored the only two tries of the first half and had a well deserved lead, but the Dragons pushed them hard and held there own, passing was crisp from Barking but the Dragons tackled well. The rucking and mauling on both sides was hard and physical, but Barking where stronger in the loose which left a half time score of 10-0 to Barking.

Dragons made a few changes at half time, as an emerging club, come school side its hard to find a fine balance between a team to win and fielding a team, but all the boys involved wanted to get involved, but Barking were a drilled side, there rucking and mauling were precise and clinical, scrums and lineout's were equal but the Barking boys had the killing edge which showed in the final score.

However both teams played to there full extent and it must be said that both teams played in the spirit of the game, yes there were flash points, lets remember rugby is a physical game, but when the final whistle went it was two teams of boys mixing well.

After the game we had a presentation event with food, attended by the Sports Minister who gave a short presentation and where gifts where exchanged and Real Rugby Tours chairman Dieter Artez gave a speech as did the tour leader Russell Yellop thanking the Dragons, which was responded to by the club. The game and event being covered by GBC the local television station.

The boys then enjoyed a evening in Gibraltar in the local leisure centre where both teams relaxed and enjoyed themselves, a great advert for Gibraltar and local rugby.

Real Rugby tours had included a full rock event, as well as the rugby the boys did the 2^nd World War Tunnel Tour, a Rock Tour and a Dolphin trip with special thanks to the Gibraltar Government the tunnel tour company and Dolphin Adventure.

Gibraltar is an emerging place for rugby tours but every team who has been here have enjoyed themselves and the Gibraltar Dragons are looking to expand there appeal and with tour like these the future looks bright, we would like to thank Barking for a wonderful couple of days of rugby to end this season, To Dieter Artez of Real Rugby Tours for organising the event. To the Regan Lima and the staff of Victoria Stadium without whose help these events would not be possible. The Hon Min of sport Edwin Reyes who has shown Rugby how much he supports us, to Bayside school and Mr Hawkins. To Taff for the food and Steve for picking him up, but most of all to the players of Gibraltar Dragons who without them this would not be possible or enjoyable and there parents.

As always there is a man of the match for the best player and Liam Rovegno deserved that but without the other guys, well I believe its everyone of them.

Thank you Dieter and Russell and most of all Barking rugby club because games like this will only benefit junior rugby.