Los Charranes Torrevieja de Rugby

End of season Rugby tournament in Elche.

Alicante’s under-13 Rugby schools converged on Elche on Saturday May 8 to contest the Provincial finals between Elche, La Villa, Rojales and Torrevieja. Overall El Club Rugby Charranes Torrevieja became provincial champions of the league at Pre-Benjamin while both the Benjamin and Alevin squads were runners up to La Vilajoiosa, who presently have the only Professional Adult team in the region.

The school of Rugby Charranes finished an excellent season thanks to a change in direction to one of promoting Rugby through the school system while diversifying the sports options available in Torrevieja. Such is the success of the system that next year, some teams are expected to have in excess of 25-players, playing in ‘sevens’ competition.

Although the tournament was more for fun and experience rather than league points, Torrevieja Ladies also played against the boys from Elche and La Vila and proved their worth in passing, scoring and tackling, much to the surprise of many, who had discounted them before kick off. The ladies team is certainly one of the other success stores of the new club. The Alevin games were hotly contested between the teams however the Benjamin tournament left a lot to be desired.

Played in an area that was roughly the size of a Tennis Court, the ‘playing field’ was forever changing. Rojales could only field four players of this age and so played four on four. Elche had one boy weighing in at close to 80 kilos; big by any standards for someone born1999! These two teams played one pass Rugby to their biggest boys, who then plowed their way through seven metres to score! On the other hand, both Torrevieja and La Vila actually tried to play open passing and running rugby which made for a much more enjoyable experience for both the players and spectators. Sadly, the Benjamin games were fairly farcical due to choice of the narrow and short pitch, which stopped any flowing, running and passing play. Hopefully this is an area that shall be resolved for next season and never repeated.

The Club now seeking sponsorship for next season to be able to buy t-shirts, rugby balls, protective equipment plus supplies and will be meeting with the Sports Council with a view of being included in the Municipal Sport Schools to allow additional added benefits and facilities than they presently have. The first step in this direction is the new, International standard Rugby Pitch, which should be officially opened within the next couple of weeks. This will go a long way towards increasing the numbers of players at the club to a game which is still quite foreign to the Spanish but becoming more popular each and every year.

Keith Nicol

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