1st Rugby Tour (and first try) 3 to 6 October 2024

1st ever rugby tour - checked

1st ever try in a game - checked

2nd ever swim in the sea - checked

It was a great weekend. A weekend of firsts for Master Liam. 

He was included as a member of an under 18 team for Harlequins Youth Rugby Club. Three teams hopped on 2 tour busses at 10PM on Thursday night the 3rd of October - U13, U14 and the big boys, U18. Off they went through the night, arriving in Amanzimtoti bright and early the Friday morning. With one hour of sleep behind most of them. One can survive on adrenaline and breakfast at that age. 

It changes as you get older but let's not tell them!

Food, a couple of hours of practice, followed by a couple of hours of sun and fun on the beach as the weather was perfect. They stayed in the lovely ATKV Natalia resort, with amazing sea views from their rooms.

Saturday was match day. The under 18's played not one but TWO games. Tall order but they rose to the occasion like a Space X rocket. First game was against the local Rovers team and easily enough won 32 to 12 which gave them the boost needed to tackle the second game against a really tough opponent with everything they got. 

An ITP Sharks team no less!  

It worked! They managed to secure a 5 - 5 draw after the number 4 lock scored a try from a lineout close to the try line. 

The number 4 lock of course being the hero of this blog - Liam, Conqueror of KZN. 

Here is how it went down in his own words:

"Well 20 mins into the second half I was called up onto the field and I played the last 20 mins of the game. 5 mins after I was called up we had a line-out very close to their try line. We won the line-out, turning it into a maul. I had the ball in my hands. We collapsed the mall on their try line and I scored the try, and tied the game."

This was the first time in 16 years that a Harlequins touring team had not lost against them, and also the very first Harlequins try against them.

Sunday the 6th was breakfast, then the long road back to Pretoria. 

All in all a memorable, and successful experience!