Thousands of rugby fans will have no doubts about who to support in the first Welsh derby of the season this Friday – but things are not quite so straightforward for one junior rugby team.
When the game kicks off this Friday night at Liberty Stadium, there will be split loyalties between the teammates of Llanharan RFC’s Under 10’s who will be at the game along with more than 100 colleagues from the club.
The team, whose club lies just across the Ospreys and Blues border in ‘enemy’ territory, actually has a 50/50 split in support for both regions with both camps expected to go head to head cheering on their rival regions at the home of the Ospreys.
The split loyalties even start with the coach, Jason Halse, admitting he is, in fact, undecided on who to support on Friday although his score prediction is a three-point win for the Ospreys.
Jason said: “The team are all very excited about the derby clash. They have been winding each other up a bit about who will win but it’s all very light-hearted. It’s something we’re used to as a club as we sit on the border between the two regions. I would say the whole club is fairly evenly split between Ospreys and Blues so it could be said that we enjoy the best of both worlds! Having said that, I am definitely leaning towards a three point win for the Ospreys.”
Jason added that his nine year old son, Regan, who plays in the Under 10’s even has both Ospreys and Blues shirts: “We might have to make a half-and-half shirt for Friday as he really can’t make up his mind over who to support!”
Regan said: “Like my dad, I’m split on who to support but the rest of the boys are either Ospreys or Blues so we’ve had lots of good banter about it at training over the last couple of weeks. It’s been a good laugh but I think it might be a bit tense on Friday!”
With the biggest crowd of the season expected to turn out for an action packed contest between two big rivals who have made a flying start to the season it’s going to be a night to remember. There is a full programme of activity for community clubs on the night, with 15 in attendance.
Kick off is 7.35pm, Friday 7th October. To buy tickets please visit www.ospreysrugby.com/buytickets
If you are involved with a club or school team and would lie to join us on a matchday, including taking part in one of our activities such as tag rugby, guard of honour or flag bearers, you can call Ospreys in the Community now on 01792 616512 or email tom.sloane@ospreysrugby.com.