We were delighted to sponsor talented amateur rugby player Mike Randall during the British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA)’s successful tour of Western Australia in June 2011. Our Managing Director, Richard Terrill, met Mike when Mike was working as a Steel Fixer on one of Wilding’s substation construction projects at Stublach, near Northwich in Cheshire. When Mike mentioned he was taking three weeks’ holiday to play for the BARLA GB Lions in Australia, Richard was keen to offer his support and arranged for Wilding Construction to sponsor him during the tour.

Mike, who plays prop for Halton Simms Cross Rugby League Club in Lancashire, performed outstandingly in all four games.  He was named Man of the Match for the Lions during the first match – his international debut – where he played a crucial role in the British team’s 14-32 triumph over Rockingham Coastal Sharks.  Two further victories followed, including a spectacular 44-0 win over the Western Australia Rugby League’s Premier Division leaders, North Beach Sea Eagles, on 15 June.

Sadly, the BARLA team didn’t quite make a clean sweep, meeting their match during the fourth and final game when they lost narrowly (20-28) to the Western Australian State team on 25 June.  However, the opportunity to play against the recent State Championships winners in the 20,000 capacity nib Stadium in Perth no doubt softened the blow!  And Mike’s contribution to winning the first three matches certainly didn’t go unnoticed, as he’s since been offered an opportunity to play rugby professionally.

We’d like to offer our congratulations to all the BARLA team, especially Mike, for playing so fantastically throughout the tour and flying the flag for British amateur rugby.   Well done!

Pictured:  Mike proudly shows off his Wilding Construction-sponsored lucky shirt, which he’s given to us as a reminder of his success.