The day had finally arrived for St Neots under 8s to play on the hallowed turf of Twickenham. Everybody was very excited and the ridiculously early meet time of 7.15 at Ernulf school couldn’t even dampen anybody's spirits.

The coach arrived at 7.30 and the first thing that had to be done was to put the St Neots flag up in the back window of the bus just to let everyone know who we were.The kids managed to stay seated with belts on for about 15 minutes so that has to have beaten some world record.
Another record to be broken was that Nic Muston waited until 7.50 before opening his first can of Kronenbourg...

On arrival players, parents and coaches were ushered into the stadium and there was still disbelief that we would be playing on the actual Twickenham pitch. I also explained to my son Freddie that this was the place to aspire to play at when he is older rather than Murrayfield (my wife is Scottish).

The rain had also started to hammer down to everybody’s joy.

MATCH 1 ST NEOTS 4 NORTHAMPTON CASUALS 2
Freddie Wilson, Freddie Cox, Stanley Newbold, Oscar Muston, Henry Walker, Charlie Dibben.
St Neots came out of the blocks fast for once. Some cracking handling even in the heavy rain.
Northampton Casuals struggled to keep up with the speedster that is Stanley Newbold. Great support play from Freddie Wilson and Oscar Muston ensured St Neots kept the pressure on if Stanley was tagged.
Some resolute defending by Henry Walker, Freddie Cox and Charlie Dibben ensured the casuals couldn’t score more than 2 trys.
Trys – Stanley 2, Oscar 1, Henry 1

MATCH 2 ST NEOTS 4 ST IVES 3
Freddie Wilson, Evie Amiss Smith, Oscar Muston, Charlie Dibben, Charlie Stong, Stanley Newbold
Both sets of coaches commented on how both teams had travelled all the way to Twickenham to play a team 12 miles away but also agreed the surroundings were a lot nicer than either St Ives or St Neots rugby clubs.
St Ives were surprised as most teams are by the speed and movement of Evie. Coupled with the speed of Stanley and Henry in support St Neots were really putting the pressure on. Charlie Dibben went on some meandering attacks and each time he looked like getting tagged he just kept ploughing on with both tags attached to his belt.
Oscar Muston was vocal when commanding and organising the defensive line.
Freddie Wilson and Charlie Strong made some strong runs and both offloaded well once tagged.
St Ives were not done and they had a speedy female of their own. They were able to break the defensive line to score some cracking trys of their own.
Trys – Evie 2, Stanley 1, Oscar 1

MATCH 3 ST NEOTS 4 OLD SCOUTS 4
Freddie Wilson, Evie Amiss Smith, Oscar Muston, Freddie Cox, Henry Walker, Charlie Strong
Tough match against Old Scouts. Oscar Muston was able to make some good attacking drives to score a couple of trys. Evie was as fast as ever.
Henry walker and Charlie Strong were able to notice the speed of the Old scots when they attacked and dropped back perfectly when required to mop up any attacks that got through the defensive line.
Despite the resolute defence from St Neots Old Scouts were able to send wave after wave of attack to break the line and score.
St Neots were able to score some great trys of their own with Freddie Cox and a wonderful try from Freddie Wilson with a diagonal run to score in the corner to finish the match.
Trys – Oscar 1, Evie 1, Freddie Wilson 1, Freddie Cox 1

MATCH 4 ST NEOTS 3 LEIGHTON BUZZARD 6
Evie Amiss smith, Freddie Cox, Henry Walker, Charlie Strong, Charlie Dibben, Stanley Newbold
The last match of a rain soaked tournament and the cold, rain, and early start was taking its toll. Leighton Buzzard were a fast, well organised team and they raced into an early lead.
St Neots were flagging and some great defence from Henry, Charlie Strong and Freddie Cox were able to slow Leighton Buzzard but unfortunately not stop them running some great trys in.
Evie, Stanley and a wonderful meandering “never give up” try from Charlie Dibben meant that St Neots still put up a fight in what was a difficult and tiring match.
Trys – Evie 1, Stanley 1, Charlie Dibbben 1.

Following the tournament Freddie Wilson, whose name was picked out of a hat by M&J Chairman Jim Norton, got to run out of the tunnel with Alex Waller (Northampton Saints co captain) as a mascot at the start of the match. Freddie was understandably nervous but also very excited to be chosen as mascot for the day. He loved the experience and stated “it was the best day ever” to a very excited and proud Dad. Anybody watching the match on BT sport would be able to see the blue flash of the St Neots kit as Freddie and Alex ran onto the pitch.

As if we hadn't done enough during half time all of the under 8s teams lined up in the North west corner of the stadium ready to walk around the pitch at half time. With the walk delayed by Saints pushing for a try just before half time the noise level from the approx. 200 under 8s was getting very loud and boisterous. One coach commented to me that it was like a scene from the film “gladiator” before the gates were opened and out came a loud, snarling pack of 7 year olds.
St Neots 10 players walked around the pitch smiling, waving and thoroughly enjoying their moment in front of the 40,000 Twickenham fans (not quite as a few had gone for alcoholic refreshments).
Freddie Cox may have been lifted up by a St Neots coach to photo bomb the interview taking place and get his confused face on the big screens whilst in the background of the interview taking place at the half way line.

After everybody left, slightly disappointed by a Leicester tigers win, we could all agree that the entire day had been fantastic.
Everybody made it back to the coach park where the St Neots flag was re adjusted in the back window and the adults (coaches included) could kick back and enjoy the fact that nobody had to be the designated driver on the way home.