The ESF Lions Tour 2025 took place last week, with top Rugby players from across the Emmanuel Schools Foundation coming together as one squad to take on some challenging opponents across the North of England.
On the Tuesday, the selected boys assembled at Emmanuel College, before visiting our friends at Gateshead RFC for squad photos and some final training. That afternoon, the newly formed team put their skills to the test when they took on a mixture of Dame Allan’s A and B teams. After a nervous start, things began to click, and after about 15 minutes the Lions were 12-0 up. Dame Allan’s rallied and managed to score some tries in quick succession to level up the score. With two minutes left, the score was 31-29 to Dame Allan’s. The Lions had a penalty, but despite some strong runs from Richmond from Emmanuel, we could not quite get through. Dame Allan’s managed to get possession and kick the ball out for the end of the game, clinching the victory. A superb match that was end-to-end, despite our loss!
The Lions enjoyed tea at Dame Allan’s with their boys, and Dame Allan’s presented Emmanuel’s Ethan Jackson with Man of the Match award. Then the squad set off to their new base for the next three days in Keswick.
The next morning saw the Lions training in the nearby park at Keswick as they prepared for their next match on Thursday. Some rest and relaxation followed – free time in Keswick, a high-ropes course at Go Ape in Whinlatter Forest, and evening bowling in Carlisle.
On Thursday, the boys were up bright and early, training and preparing for their match against Nelson Thomlinson School in Wigton that afternoon. This an old boarding school with a long tradition of Rugby, and many of their boys play for Wigton RFC. Our game was played at Wigton’s ground; it was great for the Lions boys to play at a club ground with a stand, and a good number of parents made the trip over to watch the match, which added to the atmosphere.
Nelson Thomlinson was a very well drilled and physical side, and the Lions knew they were in for a tough test when NT scored after two minutes, and then again in quick succession, so that they were 12-0 up after about 10 minutes. The Lions regrouped and went for it, and some excellent attacking and support play, along with great defending, meant we got possession from a penalty and managed to score out wide. NT managed to score one more before half time. The Lions regrouped and went for it in the second half, scoring another great try through Richmond, who had to run it in from 60 metres out, being chased all the way by two very quick opposition players. Nelson Thomlinson replied with a show of strength and would have scored even more tries but for some outstanding defending from the Lions.
The opposition then scored again to make the final score 33-10 to Nelson Tomlinson. An amazing game of Rugby, and one which needed the whole of the Lions squad to push an excellent Nelson Tomlinson side all the way!
The boys then returned to Keswick for their squad meal and a Kangaroo court session.
The final morning saw an early breakfast before the squad packed their bags and stripped their rooms, ready to return to their respective schools. Everyone gathered in the youth hostel room for the presentations. ESF Lion of the Tour was awarded to Jonny from The King’s Academy, and then the schools’ individual Lions of the Tour were presented. Congratulations to Richmond, who won the Emmanuel College Lion of the Tour. It was then time for the boys and staff to say their goodbyes to their newfound friends and teammates from across our sister schools.
The boys were a credit to themselves, their families and schools, as well as to the ESF. Everywhere they went, people commented on their good behaviour, manners, and sportsmanship in the matches. It is all our hope that the boys continue their Rugby journey well into adulthood and take the experience of touring as a Lion forward into their school and personal lives.
Finally, a big thank you to all the staff who accompanied the boys on tour. Experiences like this cannot happen without the staff giving up their time and energy to make it a big success, and we are tremendously grateful to them.
