The Steve Mason Memorial match has become an annual fixture in the calendar for each Lytchett U13s squad. Yearly they invite a local team to play, what is for them a hugely significant game in memory of Steve Mason. Steve was a well loved character at Lytchett club who, with a couple of dads started the U13s at the club in 2003 with 8 boys. Among those boys in that first squad was Steve’s son Darren who had the honour of being referee for the game with Wimborne on Friday 8th November.
On a Baltic night in deepest Dorset at Lychett Rugby Club, Wimborne and Lytchett U13s squads gave spectators a real spectacle to enjoy. Both teams a real credit to their club playing some incredible rugby, showing great character and really rising to the occasion.
Wimborne took an early lead with Will driving through to get the first points of the board. The play was fast and furious going from end to end with Wimborne enjoying a narrow first half dominance taking a 3-0 lead thanks to two further tries.
Lytchett soon found their form and after some super rugby found themselves 5-3 ahead, suddenly Wimborne found themselves playing catch up. Wimborne dug deep, worked phenomenally hard as a team and clawed back to finish the game 5-5.
For such young lads the game really was played in the true spirit of rugby – some wonderfully executed periods of play, fantastic discipline and respect for the referee and each other, some exciting breaks and fantastic courage in tackles and scrum shown by both teams despite playing in what felt like freezing conditions.
In the years to come these two clubs can expect some great contests. For the 2019-2020 season Lytchett won the first fixture, the second the Memorial game a draw 5-5 meaning it really will be all to play for the next time the boys meet.
Thanks must be given to Lytchett for the fantastic hospitality shown and of course to the boys for giving spectators such a great game to enjoy !
