As UK IGR League Northern Merit 2023/24 Champions, the culmination of the
Outlaws UK IGR League campaign came with a clash against the Southern League
Champions Plymouth Dolphins. An opportunity to play a team we’d never played
before, but who still have a link to the Outlaws was always going to be a great
occasion.
Selecting a 23-player squad from the 35 players available was always going to be a
tough task before we even got to playing the game. The IGR Captain even put
himself on the sidelines after an ankle issue the week before against MK 2’s. Across
this UK IGR League season we’ve used over 40 different players, including 15
debuts to rugby, and the vast majority of the others having less than a years
experience. The IGR league we entered this season is designed specifically for
players who are new to rugby to get meaningful match experience against players at
a similar level to them, so they can continue to develop; step up to the next level in
due course.
We’re incredibly proud of all the Outlaws who have taken the field this season and this was a great occasion to round it off as ten teams from across the UK battled it out for
various trophies at their levels.
The game started in a flurry or action as the Dolphins blitzed the Outlaws with 3 tries
in a matter of 15minutes. Taken aback by the speed, ferocity; clinical attacks from
the Dolphins, Outlaws knew we were in one hell of a match. Taking our time to
rebuild, gain and retain possession, we managed to get some flow, and spent large
periods of time in the Dolphins half and deep inside their 22. Sadly, we couldn’t
convert any opportunities in the first half as the Dolphins defence stood firm ;
repelled all of our attacks. Half time came and we were 4 tries down.
Any other side could easily have been swept away at this stage, but over the
season, this band of Outlaws has galvanised a never say never spirit, they back
each other in everything they do, they truly know we can score from anywhere;
when we get our flow going, we can be unstoppable.
We had a much stronger second half, spurred on by very loud support from our
Outlaws; In-laws on the sidelines, managing to punch holes in the Dolphins
defence, leading to scores for Zak Spriggs; Dan West. This was only possible
through strong teamwork, building multiple phases, dragging defenders into the
contact zone, then exploiting space out wide. Unfortunately for us, the Dolphins level
of play never lowered, they kept up their clinical attacking play for the full 80 minutes
; scored several tries in the second half. Final Score Plymouth Dolphins 52-14
Outlaws IGR.
After the match, both sides embraced after an incredibly physical encounter where
we’d left absolutely everything out on the field. We may not have won today, but we
learned a lot of rugby lessons, a lot about ourselves and our ability to carry on until
the very end and to work hard for each other from the first to the final whistle. The
game isn’t over until the big group photo under the posts with the opposition.
Rugby camaraderie extends far beyond just your own teammates, playing against
other IGR clubs allows an opportunity for friendships, bonds to stretch across the
country, and internationally, as we’ll next see our new friends from Plymouth in Rome
for the Bingham Cup in May. A huge thank you to them for our gift of a Plymouth
Dolphins branded rugby ball.
Alongside Plymouth, the game of rugby was truly the winner today, we all joined
together after our game to watch the Grand Final of the UK IGR League as Berkshire
Unicorns won the title against Sheffield Vulcans.
A huge thank you to everyone who has helped the Outlaws in their IGR League
campaign, players on the field, supporters on the sidelines, referees in the middle,
admins behind the scenes sorting teams, coaching, transportation, and all of our
opposition across the country.
Additionally, we’d like to thank Dr John Kelly, all of the IGR League orgainising
committee for their efforts, we know this isn’t an easy task, and you have done all of
the clubs proud. One final shout to Kings Cross Steelers for hosting an incredible
Finals Day, the weather certainly helped, but everything ran fluidly everyone had a
great day.
Normally, this would be the end of a short review article like this, but we alluded to
Outlaws connections earlier, and how the power of IGR bonds stretch far further than
just within our own clubs. Saturday was a fantastic mini reunion as we had 5 Outlaws
from our first ever match back in 2012 present, all still playing for various teams, and
to cap it off, three of them are Club Chairs, Simon Chapman (Outlaws Club Chair),
Martin Rodham (Dolphins Club Chair) Rick Dunn (Unicorns Club Chair). It makes
us super proud that even as Outlaws move away for work or life, they can still
contribute to the spirit of IGR, widening the world of Inclusive Rugby ; proving why
it’s such a fantastic sport to be involved in.
To all Outlaws past, present ; future, know one thing, no matter where you go, you’ll always be an Outlaw for Life.
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