After coffees and bacon sandwiches were purchased, the Panthers family setup shop next to the two allocated pitches.
Andy, Dave and Garvin started organising the kids into their two teams.

Red Team White Team
Archie Emilio
Charlie Ethan
Felix Khi
Kris Leo
Lewis Oli H
Oli P William

After a slight delay for the first matches, the Reds ran out to meet Drybrook 1. From the first whistle the panthers were on fire. It was almost like they had been listening to the coaches all these months.

Andy: To say it was the very first game, and the kids could be a little bit rusty. They were great straight from the off. They have done what we have asked them to do, using the full width of the pitch. These paid dividends in the end running in seven tries and only conceding two. They communicated well and if that was how we were going to start it usually got better as it went on we were looking at a very decent tournament. (Red Vs Drybrook(1) Won 7-2)

Ten minutes later, the first game for the whites started, a great game to watch and a solid performance. My favourite part though was when Garvin realised my new toy was a Dictaphone “I can’t deny I’ve said it now”.

Garvin: Very good commitment, moving forward, tackling was a little bit behind the 8 ball but is improving all the time. (White Vs Melbourne 2 Won 6-3)

The second game for the reds was very challenging, and very evenly matched.

Andy: Great really, the best game so far. It was tight five all draw, physical, and played at a solid pace. Both teams used the space very well. It was a good test for them to play us, and a good test for us to play them. An evenly matched game that could have gone ether way. A draw was the best result as nether side deserved to lose, and a great advert for rugby. (Reds Vs Coalville Drew 5-5).

Dave: A very strong side, a couple of exceptional players particularly quick and strong and we put up a good fight. (White Vs Edwardians Won 6-5)

Andy: Cracking game, I think Bedford were the best test in the torment in their age group by a country mile, and we came out of it with a five all draw. We have taken the physicality, just like they have and just a great advert for rugby. If we played sides like them every week we would have an awesome little team. (Red Vs Bedford Blues Drew 5-5)

Garvin: We came up against a very good team, properly the best team we have come across in the last few years. While we were good going forward, they were just to strong coming at us, but they kept at it and kept committed. (White Vs Oundle Lost 2 - 6)

Andy: A lot of tired legs out there, with no rest from the last game just a drink and straight back on. Even with the weather getting warmer, some great games of rugby and physicality. Using the full width of the pitch. Even though they were tired, I’m proud of every one of them, every one of the lads gave it everything they’ve got. You can only be proud of the boys. (Red Vs Spalding Lost 3-5)

All the teams were tired by this point, and with two minutes rotations of subs we kept the pressure on against Uttoxeter.
Dave: Some good teams all appearing to be better going forward than defending. (White Vs Uttoxeter Won 5-3)

All had a good day, with the mums doing passing practice with the kids, and Dave realising that 7-year olds cannot be trusted with biscuit management. As all the families left to get to the game, Dave stayed on to referee the last game.

The nail biting Tigers/Wasps game, was a great end to the day, With William/Kris trying to out volume the rest of the stadium! At several points all the panthers were on their feet cheering.

Thanks to the Leicester Tigers for putting on this festival of Rugby with great teams, what a great advert for youth rugby.

As always, thanks for Andy, Dave and Garvin for the coaching and support on the day, and the parents for making it a fun day for all.

Thanks

D.A. Cooke (Roving Match Reporter, U9(s)