Clacton Rugby Club, in conjunction with Eastern Counties Rugby Union and Essex Rugby Union, held their fourth annual Beach Rugby tournament on Saturday 5th July 2008 on the Martello Beach at Clacton-on-Sea. Heavy morning showers cleared in time for the 12 noon start, and there was bright sunshine for the record entry of 25 teams and nearly 300 competitors aged 7 to 70. Local sides from Clacton and Colchester were joined by the exotically named Clopton Emu Breeders from Woodbridge in Suffolk, women's teams from Haverhill and Brunel University, a family team with relatives travelling from Kent, Norfolk and Devon to take part, Ware Are We? from Hertfordshire, other Essex-based teams, and no less than seven teams from Barnet Elizabethans RFC.
Barnet sent two sides to the very first Clacton tournament in 2005, and have supported the event with more players every summer since. Nearly 100 players of all ages, and supporters, made the trip from Barnet this year, agreeing that this had been the best tournament so far, and threatening to bring even more people next year!
Andrew Sarek, chairman of Eastern Counties Community Rugby, was delighted with the whole day. "The emphasis is on participation and enjoyment, with every team playing at least five games during the day" Sarek said. "The formula seems to work as teams keep returning, and more want to take part next year. We were fully booked a month before the event, and had to turn a number of clubs away".
In additon to the six trophies that were up for grabs, the prestigious Fair Play Trophy went to Barnet Beach Bums, with the Wooden Spoon going to another Barnet side, Jen's Beach Belles, for coming 25th out of 25! The six trophy winners were:-
| Vase |
Pip's Prawns [Chelmsford]
|
| Jug |
Sand Martins [Colchester] |
| Bowl |
Sloane Rangers [Barnet] |
| Shield |
Clacton |
| Plate |
Barnet Boys |
| Cup |
Robbie T [Chelmsford] |
The event was fully supported by the RFU's Leisure Rugby team, with Project Manager Dan Brown bringing the RFU trailer, pitches, flags, posts, PA systems, and everything need for a successful tournament. North East Essex Primary Care Trust provided the water and sun cream, which turned out to be essential on such a hot day, and Tendring District Council assisted Clacton Rugby Club in arranging other essentials such as 'portaloos', first aid cover, access to the site, parking, beach cleaning, and rubbish collection afterwards. Clacton Rugby Club provided the referees and the neccessary volunteer workforce.
Plans are already being made for an expanded tournament next year, with more pitches allowing more teams to take part.
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