U7s & U8s at Wasps

16th December 2007

We braved sub zero temperatures to get our boys (and girl) onto the pitch at Adams Park and I think they all did really well considering the arctic conditions.

We arrived at the ground at 4.00pm and collected our tickets. Once inside the Maidenhead U7s & U8s queued up to have their team photo taken with the Wasps Mascot- we then settled into our seats for the first half of London Wasps V's Claremont Auvergne. A thrilling first half saw Wasps comfortably up at half time.

For many of the children it was the first time at a premier rugby match and the atmosphere within the rather intimate Adams Park was great.

Just before half time the teams were gathered "pitch-side" and as the players departed, on they went for a short demonstration game. It seemed to us from the side that they were playing a very fast game and from our vantage point we saw a number of brilliant tries. The announcer also came on to introduce the teams and gave some background into the rules of tag rugby. In a flash it was all over and despite a few tears due to frozen hands the boys (and girl) did very very well.

This kind of thing gives kids of a very young age some feel for large -crowds and atmosphere and to my mind is a great confidence builder for the future.

Roll on March when I understand we have a similar game at London Irish - hopefully in a much warmer climate!!

Ivan Scott