Tom Berwick on youth postponements
The poor weather conditions have had a big affect on the youth team fixture programme over the course of the last six weeks with the lads eager to get back into action as quickly as possible.
We had a chat with U18 team captain Tom Berwick earlier this week to find out how the lads have been getting on.
“It feels like a long time since we last played a game,” he said.
“That’s not the best for the lads but there’s nothing we can do about it. We still work hard in training but I think it’s fair to say we just want to get out there and play.
“You just feel gutted when you get to the weekend and you find out the game is off again. All of the work has been done leading up to it and it’s a bit of a let-down when all you are left with is a training session.”
“The good thing is that we’re still in with a shout in two competitions,” he added. “That has helped to keep us motivated because we do have a genuine chance in the league and the Youth Alliance Cup. We’ve definitely got the players in the team to give it a go.”
With the youth team picking up where it left off last season with a run of good results ahead of the Christmas break he admitted that Brunton Park is a good place to learn more about his trade.
“I think it’s been made even more enjoyable because of the team we have here,” he said. “I think we’ve all improved and personally I’ve come on a lot. I’ve kept my place in the team all season, which I didn’t do last year, and being team captain has really helped.
“With that, it’s not just the football because I have to make sure the jobs around the club are done properly and that the training sessions are set up as the gaffer wants them. There’s a fair bit of responsibility but the rest of the lads help me out as well, which is good.”
Next up for the youth team is the Youth Alliance Cup quarter final meeting with Shrewsbury Town [Creighton Rugby Club, 12pm kick off, Saturday 9 February].
“Hopefully we can get the game on because it’s one where we think we can go all the way,” he told us. “We’re a strong team and if we play well we’ve got a real chance.
“If we get through this one it’ll start to get really exciting.”
“I think it’s always in the back of our minds, as second years, that we’re in the last few months now,” he said. “It comes up in conversation every now and then but all you can really do is get on with your job until the time comes.
“We get our chances in the reserve games and in the Cumberland Cup to make an impression and you just have to do your best. It’s a very individual thing, when it comes to this, because we all have to do what we can to get a contract.
“Team wise we want to win every game and hopefully everything will fall into place for all of us.”
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