Roots&All follows the progress of four teams through their 2012/13 campaigns.
The season has got off to a flying start and things have been very busy at the club. Queen’s, like Ulster have made a solid start to the season and so far are undefeated. This is particularly impressive, as usually this is a difficult time for the club, with many players involved in Interprovincial action with the Ulster 19s and 20s. This year is no different, and Queen’s currently have approximately 9 players involved across those squads, and we wish them well in their respective tournaments.
Early preseason competition took the form of a 7s competition at Ophir which the boys managed to win, and a four team tournament involving local sides Donaghadee and Ards, as well as Suttonians. The tournament was an ideal opportunity to try out new combinations and blood new players, particularly key for ourselves as a university side, with 13 of last year’s senior squad graduating in July 2012. We would like to take this opportunity to wish all of those players well as they move on to new chapters in terms of employment (hopefully) and Rugby. Rarely a week goes by during the season without a former Queen’s player revisiting their old stomping grounds, as part of an opposition side.
So far, we have played 2 Ulster Senior League games with Rainey Old Boys the first visitors to the ‘Dub’ this year. The Magherafelt side will be worth watching in AIL Division 2B this year as they have recruited heavily including former Ulster players Tim Barker and Johnny Shiels. However, after explosive 20 minutes where our boys scored 21 points we were able to hold on to defeat them 24-22 in front of a good crowd. The following week we faced Armagh in what proved to be a flowing game, only decided in the end by an excellent goal kicking performance by our Out Half Ritchie McMaster. We took the victory by a margin of 33 points to 22, away from home to continue the unbeaten run so far.
This Saturday (8th September 2012) we face a tough home tie in the First Trust Ulster Senior Cup, against Ballynahinch, a side who many have tipped to gain promotion from the fiercely competitive AIL division 1B this year. For those interested, kick off will be at 2.30pm and all support will be greatly appreciated.
Finally, I would like to use this blog to appeal to Alumni of the University, and in particular Past players of the Rugby Club. We would like to form a past members association that would have events on perhaps a quarterly basis, allowing former players to catch up with teammates, and at the same time support and raise funds for the club. If you are interested please contact r.ford@qub.ac.uk .The first of these events we hope to run will be on Friday 5th October and is a Golf Day. The details are on the attached poster, your support would be very welcome.
“Keep the Blue Flag Flying High”
