For the second year in a row, Zug Rugby sent an under-12 touring squad out to Madrid. although heading out at the beginning of April saw the team take part in the larger Spanish regional tournament. Due to the positive time had by all the players last year, interest was high and we took out a full squad of 15 players for this trip. The U12’s competition included 27 teams representing 16 clubs from different cities in Spain plus another international visitor from Northern Ireland.

Zug was placed in a group of seven clubs with the first game of the day starting at 10am and the last scheduled to finish at 3pm. Madrid was enjoying slightly better weather than Switzerland nudging 21C by mid-afternoon. Six games of 12 minutes, in warmer weather, on pitches bigger than we are used to and only 11 players on the field meant the coaching team knew we would be in for a real test of the team's skills, fitness and adaptability.

Palencia Rugby Club 0 - 10 Zug Rugby Club
Zug Rugby Club 25 - 0 Hortaleza Rugby Club B
Zug Rugby Club 15 - 10 Alcorcon Rugby Club
Zug Rugby Club 15 - 5 Getafe Rugby Club B
Zug Rugby Club 15 - 5 Paracuellos Rugby Club
Zug Rugby Club 25 - 10 Alcobendas Rugby Club C

The first two games were probably against the two weakest teams and getting a couple of wins in the first two games certainly helped confidence levels with the players and set us up for the harder matches that were to come. As the tournament progressed we were glad to have a full squad as everyone enjoyed good game time and rotating all the players was certainly needed. The last game of the day was fittingly against the host club and with both Coach Fran and fly half Nico having been so heavily involved with the Alcobendas Club when previously living in Madrid it was an excellent way to end the tournament. Although we managed to win all our games it was far from easy and it was obvious for all to see the effort levels the team had put in.

After the rugby we headed back to the Alcobendas clubhouse where we enjoyed the “Third half” with drinks on tap and a BBQ pit team cooking steaks of the highest quality. We had brought across a Zug Rugby ball that all the players and coaches had signed and presented to the club to be placed behind the bar as a token of our appreciation.

On top of guiding the team in an excellent day of rugby, Coach Fran spent the evening and the following day ensuring the touring party of both parents and players enjoyed Madrid. If he were to ever hang up his coaching whistle a secondary job as a tour guide becons.

Lastly a word of thanks from all who travelled to Carolina, who had spent numerous hours in the run-up to the weekend organising Hotels, Travel and Meals. An effort that we all benefited from.