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A&C Junior 10s Tournament - report

A&C Junior 10s Tournament - report

Tony Coyle8 May 2014 - 09:54
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Although the day started with squally showers, A&C Junior 10s Tournament, sponsored by Sytner High Wycombe BMW, still attracted over 480 players.

The format of the day was 5 games of 14 minutes each way at each Age group (Under 13s, 14s, 15s and 16s) with teams playing with 10 players, five forwards, two half backs and three backs. Each team can have a squad of 20 players.

The morning started with Amersham & Chiltern Under 13s contesting against teams from Buckingham, Merchant Taylors', Tring, Slough and a Barbarians team from Aylesbury mixed with a few boys from the home Club. The weather by now had turned into sunshine and the rugby was of a similar vein with Buckingham winning the Sytner BMW Cup by scoring 22 tries. Tring came second, and the Barbarians team from Aylesbury third. The home side, despite beating Buckingham 38-12, then proceeded to win only one other game, against Slough resulting in fourth place followed by Merchant Taylors' in fifth and then Slough.

Also in the morning, the Amersham & Chiltern Under 14s undertook their campaign of five games in two and a half hours to also come fourth having beaten only Buckingham and Windsor. Marlow dominated in this age group and easily won the Sytner BMW cup by scoring 25 tries. Old Albanians were second and Buckingham third. Bletchley were fifth and Windsor sixth.

With the morning over, the older age groups contested in the afternoon. The Amersham and Chiltern Under 15s struggled, only winning a couple of games against a Merchant Taylors' Barbarians side and Henley resulting in fifth place. High Wycombe triumphed beating all other teams except Chinnor who came second with Henley third. Ealing Trailfinders were fourth and Merchant Taylors' Barbarians sixth.

With Amersham & Chiltern struggling for honours in the younger age groups it was left to the Under 16s to try to secure a home win. Unfortunately it was a bridge to far - Just. They won all their early games beating Ealing Trailfinders, Chelmsford, Chinnor, and High Wycombe with elegant displays from Ben Lane, Tom ffitch, Tobin Harden and Ed Tidey. However the last game was against their nemesis, Brighton, who were fielding a strong squad which included two players tipped for England honours. Brighton scored first and then just before half time A&C equalised. Game on!

The second half was a tense affair with Brighton scoring a forwards try to take the lead. Despite much pressure from the home Club the score remained 14-7 and the Brighton won the BMW Sytner Cup having been unbeaten throughout the Tournament. A&C were second with Chinnor third. High Wycombe were fourth, Chelmsford fifth and Ealing Trailfinders sixth.

Concluding the day, Tournament Organiser, Stephen Lawrence, thanked everyone for participating and was pleased that there were no serious injuries, and noted that it appeared, win or lose, everyone enjoyed the day. He also thanked GE for providing the PA system. Junior Chairman, David Choules said "I would like to thank the Tournament organisers, Sytner BMW and all the Tournament sponsors, and all participants and supporters for making the Junior Tournament such a success. I would also like to congratulate Brighton on being the only unbeaten Club in any age group."

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