Rugby - New 'Ba-Bas' style club launches with first match (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Rugby - New 'Ba-Bas' style club launches with first match

4:53pm Wednesday 24th February 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

A NEW Rugby Union club for young South Lakeland players aims is unveiled this Saturday and its aim is to play a "Barbarians" style game.

Official permission from RFU headquarters at Twickenham has been given to use the famous "Barbarians" name in its title - The Westmorland Barbarians Under-16 Rugby Club.

The club is the brainchild of two local teachers, Andrew Brown of Cartmel Priory School and Chris Martucci of Dallam School.

Pupils from a variety of South Lakeland schools are in the squad, though it is a club and not a schools’ representative side - about 40 lads are signed on so far..

The Barbarians connection is maintained through their club president, retired local businessman Grant Weatherstone, the ex-Scotland and Barbarians international player.

Based at Ambleside RUFC, the new club holds training sessions on Tuesdays from 4pm to 6.30pm with matches scheduled for Saturdays or Sundays.

A grand opening fixture is arranged against a Sedbergh School Select XV this Saturday, February 27 at Ambleside RUFC (3pm kick-off).

Local MP Tim Farron will open the proceedings for what is hoped will become annual fixture between the sides.