Kingsbridge RFC under 16s team win Fishermans cup at Brixham

The Kingsbridge RFC under 16s team travelled by coach to Brixham Rugby Club to compete in the Fisherman’s Cup versus their great rivals Ivybridge RFC last Sunday.

The Fisherman’s Cup has been hosted by Brixham Rugby Club for the last 50 years and is the finale to the Under 16s rugby teams’ season.

The Kingsbridge squad arrived at Brixham Rugby Club to warm up for their 3pm kick-off in their matching squad shirts.

Both teams came out onto the pitch to a great applause and support from the many family and friends supporters from both sides and other local Clubs to watch this important U16s game.

This Cup game was overseen by an RFU referee and 2 RFU linesmen, with Ivybridge RFC scoring the first try and leading at half-time, but after the break, with some encouragement from the coaches, Kingsbridge ran back onto the pitch with great vigour. It was a hard fought game, but Kingsbridge dug deep, defended hard, kept cool under pressure and after scoring a flurry of great tries with Ivybridge feeling the pressure and receiving a red and a yellow card, Kingsbridge went clear and claimed the victory with 2 tries in hand to win 43-31.

Tries were scored by a number of the squad including Callum Ryrie who was awarded player of the match, 2 for Joe Wake, Jack McIntosh, Will McIntosh and 2 for Rhys Gulley, with 2 conversions apiece for Lewis Groves and Will McIntosh.

At the final whistle a rapturous team and coaches burst onto the pitch to congratulate the jubilant team. The squad was presented with the Fisherman’s Cup on the Brixham RFC terrace by the Chairman of Brixham Rugby Club and past players, and also received winner’s medals.

Brixham Rugby Club then hosted both the winning side, Kingbridge RFC, and the losing side, Ivybridge RFC, to a sit-down dinner which was well received by both sides. The squad then returned by coach to Kingsbridge to be met by family and friends and past players at the Kingsbridge RFC headquarters High House where toasts were given and drinks were shared from the Fisherman’s Cup and celebrations carried on long into the evening.

This is the first time in 11 years that Kingsbridge RFC have made it to the finals for the Fisherman’s Cup so the coaches, families and supporters of this Under 16s team are particularly proud of this great achievement.