Before the sun could rise on Easter Friday, three junior teams set off from Deal & Betteshanger rugby club for a weekend of fun and rugby in the northern Dutch town of Hilversum. The players from the U12’s, U14’s and U15’s were bleary eyed as they boarded the two waiting coaches that would take the group of 106 players, parents and siblings to their campsite in Slot Cranendonck near Amsterdam. Each team had chosen a tour song and the 12-hour journey provided the perfect opportunity for much needed singing practice. The teams arrived in time for dinner and an early night in advance of Saturday’s fixture against RC Emmland.
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Saturday morning brought warm Easter sunshine and after a short coach journey the teams arrived to an equally warm welcome at RC Emmland, one of the Netherland’s foremost rugby clubs.
The U12’s and U15’s played first, with both scoring victories. The U14’s then followed on with a convincing 39-0 win over the hosts which saw captain Baxter Holland and Loose head Samuel Bremner both run in a hat trick of tries. The scoring was completed by a try from Lock Jamie Henderson and conversions by Baxter Holland. After the first public performance of our chosen songs, some refreshment and a ‘snickers race’ we returned to Cranendonck for a good night’s sleep.
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Sunday saw us out of bed early once more for the journey to Hilversum and a 10:30 tournament start. Hilversum Rugby Festival is an annual event and is extremely well organised. This year over 1200 players played over 140 matches, with teams from all over Holland, Belgium, France and the UK. Each team was pooled in groups of 4 and there being two groups for each age.
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The U12’s Recorded Great victories against tough opposition from Cas RC, LRC DIOK, Haagsche RC Geel, and saw them reach the Cup Final vs Cas RC finishing runners up
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The U14’s - Our first match was against Belgian team ASUB Waterloo. As each half was only 10 minutes each, an early score was essential and unfortunately, Waterloo, with their all-female front row were able to strike first. Deal & Bettes didn’t really get back into the game and despite a valiant effort went down 0-21 to their skilled opponents who would go on to feature in the final.
Next up was a 0-0 draw against Dutch team Anstelveense RC followed by a gritty 21-14 win over Nederlandse team RC Groningen. As a result of the team’s performance, we found ourselves in the Bowl final against RFC Haarlem which turned out to be our most dramatic match of the season! After converted tries from Baxter Holland and Samuel Bremner, the match was drawn at 14-14 at full time. Instead of extra time, the tie was to be decided by drop kicks, first from best of three, then sudden death. Three Deal players, Baxter Holland, Toby .. and Jamie Henderson bravely stepped up to take kicks in rotation. After 9 kicks each the teams remained tied, and it was agreed the match result should be decided by the toss of a coin! Fates smiled on the Deal & Betteshanger players and they would return with a glittering trophy.
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The U15’s Also had an incredible tournament, reaching the Final of their age group, finishing in second.
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After the matches were over, players and parents retired to the ‘Rave Tent’ for some much deserved letting off of steam. The journey back to our lodgings was filled with song and laughter, each rendition of ‘Don’t look back in Anger’ getting more raucous than the last.
By the time the teams returned to English soil (some sooner than others as the U15’s coach managed to sneak on to an earlier ferry!) players and parents had created some everlasting memories and friendships. Roll on next year!