So, the inaugural tour for the U9’s group took place and was thankfully accompanied by glorious weather, company and fun on the Somerset coast.
On arrival on Friday evening, the boys were all decked out in their bright red tour hoodies and immediately started working as a team trying to empty the arcades of tickets whilst the parents familiarised themselves with the surroundings of the site and made plans for the Saturday over a quiet drink.
Saturday morning was greeted by more sunshine and a visit to the swimming pool, where the bonding continued over slides, floats and general high jinks in the pool. 2 hours is a long time to spend in the pool, but after a spot of lunch, various activities were undertaken - Beach rugby, dune jumping and digging up Berrow Beach all seemed to be popular before making their way back to the site for refreshments. Whilst some of the parents watched the Wasps game, the boys involved themselves in Charades and a little more arcade pillaging.
That evening was Viking theme night, so everyone met in the centre of entertainment (RJs) for food and drinks in appropriate attire, ready to create our own Banbury Valhalla with the U10s. Whilst being serenaded by Buster, the camp mascot, a west country pig whose rendition of Rappers Delight was quite something although was then topped by Uptown Funk which had me in tears and the crowd singing along. We then had the pleasure of the next act ‘Chunky’ who set the tone for the weekend by giving out prizes. Coach Tim being particularly chuffed with his award of a bubble gun. An early win for the U9s.
Chunky then got some of the boys out on to the floor for some fun and games, followed by some fantastic dancing by the parents. (Nicky Elliot – I’m looking at you for this, I can only apologise for my efforts and for anybody’s toes I may have trodden on.) Some more prizes given out, footballs, rugby balls, a black panther and some sweets all came our way before the 9pm curfew arrived and the team of Vikings retired for the evening to prepare themselves for the tournament
Sunday morning, and once more the glorious Somerset weather showed itself to be our friend and the convoy started the journey across to Hornets RFC.
After a brief warm up going through some drills and a team talk to discuss the tactics for the day, the boys proudly posed for team photos in their tour kit. Matt, Mike, Toby and Tim all drew up the plans to create the Rugby Masterclass Banbury were about to issue to the other teams involved. The Banbury Lions and Tigers were ready to roar in to action.
The Tigers were to face – Cefn Coed RFC Eagles from Merthyr, Clevedon RFC Rhinos and Hornets RFC Knights, whilst the Lions faced Hornets RFC Trojans, Clevedon RFC Bears and Hornets RFC Lions. All games were taking place on the 4G pitch, a new adventure for all the boys!
Hornets RFC were going to supply the referees for the games, and would be awarding points based on the RFU Core Values of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship.
Tigers v Cefn Coed Eagles
The early morning sun, and busy couple of days seemed to catch the tigers napping as the Eagles had the upper hand in the first half and punished a couple of early errors. The Eagles were a fast team with some big players but it wasn’t long though before the Tigers were back in the game again. The second half saw Charlie Moore make some of his infamous bursting runs through the opposition to touch down with great support from Eddie Atherton and Dan Elliot. The team were soon within touching distance again. It was clear that the boys had woken up now and some great tackling by Felix Morris, Sam Wheeler and Ethan Porter-Sparks left Noah Pickering free to provide some excellent passing to feed the hungry for tries Charlie. Unfortunately, the damage had been done early on and the Tigers couldn’t quite claw back the deficit and lost out by one try.

Lions v Clevedon Bears
The Lions started the tournament with only six players but this did not stop them playing some great running rugby. The whistle blew and the boys were quick off the mark and with two slick passes Miller Somerton to Harry Sturla, then Harry to Sonny Goode, saw him use his twinkle toes cut through the Bears defence with ease and cross the line. The Bears found the Lions defence too strong to break down and with some fierce tackles going in, the ball was turned over and once again Sonny found himself going over for another try. The second half came and the tries just kept coming with Sami Niazi and Miller’s storming runs from their own half to score, and some wonderful offloads saw Harry dot down. The score line finishing with the Lions well on top.

Tigers v Clevedon Rhinos
After a break and a refuel, the second game for the Tigers saw them up against the Clevedon Rhinos and this time the boys were ready right from the off. Dan and Noah feeding Charlie for more of his explosive runs to push Banbury forward with Sam and Eddie offering full support saw Banbury take the upper hand. Some great offloading and passing was starting to happen, challenges went in where they were needed and the Tigers were clearly on top. Felix making several runs with numerous Rhinos defenders hanging off him, Eddie bursting through time and time again and Dan just running at the defence was glorious to watch. Noah was making some clever passes, a glorious carry from Ethan down the wing brought the already boisterous crowd to life, and seeing Sam take down player after player added to the joy. It was a deserved victory for the boys.

Lions v Hornets Trojans
The second game for the Lions saw a different test with a big Hornets side and it meant the Lions had to put a defensive shift in. Again the boys showed they were more than up to the challenge, still playing with six to the Hornets seven. The defensive line was being lead as it was in the first game by William Banes who was like a boy on a mission, tackling anyone or anything who dare come near! The Hornets struggled to keep up and saw the Lions scored first with Sami showing great strength to push through the defence, only to see Hornets reply. Sonny then went over for a second, but once again Hornets replied. The second half saw a typical lung busting run by Miller cross the line from a great pass from James Edmonds to make it 3-2. By now the Lions were rampant and another two tries from Sami and second for Sonny closed the game. Lions 6 Hornets 2

Tigers v Hornets Knights
The final group game saw the Tigers face off against a very aggressive home team, but not go wanting. Some early hard challenges saw both sides have players down, and at one point the Tigers were down to five players against Hornets seven. This didn’t deter the remaining Tigers, and the attacks just kept coming in the first half with Eddie and Dan pushing Hornets all the way back and not being intimidated at all by the incoming barrage, whilst Sam was flying in everywhere and anywhere he could. Noah and Ethan getting on the ball and trying to run the wings saw some stern defence by Hornets. The second half saw Banbury back up to full strength as both Felix and Charlie returned to the fray determined to make up for lost time. Challenge after challenge went in, and you could see the desire to get one over the home team was there and gave a little more freedom for the boys running, but after a very tough game a draw was a fair result.

Lions v Hornets Lions
The third and final group game had a completely different feel again but again with more running rugby and wonderful passing. Two tries were standout in the completely convincing win. The first was started after a great defensive effort, six tackles and a turnover followed by three well timed passes sent James flying down the wing beating two Hornets for pace, he then beautifully stepped inside one defender before making a perfectly weighted two on one pass to put in Miller in again to finish off a superb try. The second, a team try, was again started from the Lions half and showed great teamwork by the boys. William offloaded to Miller who broke through two tackles and popped the ball to Sami who made great yards, dragging several Hornets with him. He then quickly recycled the ball to Harry who found James, he passed before the contact to Sonny who cut in to the space and drove at the line before passing to William who finished off what he started. What a try. Hornets had no answers for what was being thrown at them and it finished Lions 6 Hornets 0

QUARTER FINALS
Tigers v Clevedon Bears
A quarter final against the Bears was a very close run game. The Tigers were working well as a unit, and with the full support of the amassed Banbury U9’s and parents to support they turned on the style. We’d seen it all day, but Charlie was unstoppable and the boys were there to support him whenever he was stopped. Dan or Noah to feed the onrushing Eddie, whilst Felix, Sam and Ethan were ready every time an offload was required.
The second half was back and forth with both sides playing some lovely stuff and it was clear the Tigers were keen to finish the tournament on a high, but the Bears were also wanting the win. Both sides battling hard and again a draw was always going to be the result that looked likely but the Tigers managed to edge it and a final victory was just what they needed before a well-earned rest and the chance to support the Lions.

Lions v Hornets Knights
This was a quarter final with a lot at stake. The six boys of Banbury against the seven of Hornets. The fact they chose to play with seven and not even the sides out showed their ambition and fear of a Lions side that had been outstanding all day. Just as in the game against the Tigers, aggressive challenges were coming in time and time again, but some wonderful snaking runs by Sonny, Harry and Miller, plus some powerful running by Sami saw the Hornets powerless to stop the marauding Lions. William Banes and James were taking some powerful shots as they edged closer to the line, but they just kept getting back up and playing on!
The second half saw Lions suffer an injury to William as he was winded for the second time in the game, but Hornets refused to remove players and continued with the seven. This just seemed to drive the Lions on, and Sami took on the Hornets team again and again, refusing to be dragged down and just kept ploughing on. Sonny was twisting through the defence, Miller charging straight at them, whilst Harry and James provided some clever, quick passing and support play. A narrow victory for the Lions, but more than deserved.
Matt couldn’t resist demonstrating his reverse heel conversion to the gathered kids from Clevedon, Hornets and Cefn Coed whilst we all watched on. It would appear that second time is a charm Matt, and I’m sure the first was just a sighter…
So now all of the games were completed and it was time to see who had managed to win the awards for Fair Play on the day awarded against the Five Core Values of the RFU by the Hornets officials.
Time and time again we saw wonderful examples of all five core values from the Banbury teams, applauding the opponents tries, checking on the other teams injured players and helping them up when appropriate, a smile on their faces - no matter how tired the boys were, are just a few examples I could site.
An excellent advert for Mini’s Rugby at Banbury and I wouldn’t have hesitated to awards top marks to all the boys throughout the tournament. Both teams were winners as far as I am concerned.
Hornets RFC topped the rankings though through points awarded by the referees, with Banbury Lions finishing as runners-up. Fantastic effort from the six boys!
Both teams were then presented with their participation awards by Charlie Sharples (Gloucester and England) before the runners-up trophy was presented to a smiling pride of Lions.
So as the team posed for one last group photo with the spoils of the weekend we finished our tour on a high.
Some personal thanks to make:
Matt, Toby, Mike and Tim for coaching the boys and making sure they fully enjoyed the tournament.
To the Parents for your attendance and providing great company and support all weekend (plus Nicky for having an endless supply of snacks it would appear). It really was great meeting you all properly!
Richard Porter-Sparks for taking up the role as match official photographer.
To our fellow Vikings, the U10’s for having us along and showing us the ropes.
And finally to our sponsors Viadex, Supalite and Heirloom Antiques Interiors for providing enough funds for us to buy the boys shirts and hoodies.
That just leaves me to say I’m very much looking forward to doing it all again with you next year!
COME ON YOU BANBURY