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WARRINGTON TAKE THE UNDER 12s TITLE, AS LIVERPOOL COLLEGIATE 11s ADD TO MERSEYSIDE TRIUMPH
Extracted from the Press Report: Reporting on the success of the inaugural festival the Festival Coordinator, Keith Mellalieu was delighted that the event even took place. “With the tournament in serious doubt as dusk and torrential rain fell on the previous evening, the sunny morning that developed over the Ribble Valley on Sunday morning (30th March) calmed everyone’s nerves. The terrific amount of hard work undertaken in the morning by Ian Gibbs and his team of match officials, pitch marshals, groundsmen and the internal bar and catering support was a tribute to Blackburn Rugby Club, who played host to Lancashire’s first ‘Barclays Mini Festivals Cup’ finals day.”
A five-hour programme of pool and finals matches saw sixteen teams of Under 11s and Under 12s boys and girls producing a fine festival of rugby at Blackburn’ Ramsgreave Drive ground, the finale of a new initiative for Lancashire’s mini rugby sections.
Starting in November, the county’s mini sections embarked on a series of traditional triangular-style days, and from the results through to mid March, determined the top eight clubs at each age to win through to finals day.
All the teams played five matches, with each member of an 18-strong starting in at least two of the five games. >>>> For the Festival Results, Click here...
“The family atmosphere associated with mini rugby was replicated on Finals Day, when despite an uncertain surface underneath, the touchline spectators added to the enjoyment of players and match officials alike. Widnes were judged to be the recipient of the ‘Club Supporters of the Festival’, and the Merseyside success story continued as Warrington gained first place at Under 12s and Liverpool Collegiate took top-spot at Under 11s.”
“We are grateful to Barclays for adding their support to this highly innovative competition, which we hope will become a significant addition to the Lancashire programme in the years ahead, the county organisation connecting with players and parents at a much earlier age than before.”
With the medals and trophies presented by Barclays’ Regional Director, Jeremy Smith and Lancashire President, Dave Herriman, the final positions were:
Under 11s: Winners: Liverpool Collegiate
Other places: 2nd - Widnes, 3rd - Vale of Lune, 4th - Waterloo, 5th - Blackburn, 6th - Leigh, 7th - Tarleton, 8th - Rochdale
Under 12s: Winners: Warrington
Others: 2nd - Vale of Lune, 3rd - Leigh, 4th - Preston Grasshoppers, 5th - Waterloo, 6th - Aldwinians, 7th - Ormskirk, 8th – Tarleton
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