Glorious day for the rugby playing whizzkids (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Glorious day for the rugby playing whizzkids

OVER 100 of their supporters were witness to a most glorious weekend when all three young teams representing Cirencester RFC returned in triumph from the County Festival finals held at Coney Hill in Gloucester.

Cirencester U12s v Bristol U12s

One of the trio representing The Whiteway club on Sunday were the U12s who had to face a well drilled, talented and huge Bristol side and they slogged their guts out for two fantastically well contested halves.

Cirencester scored a dream try in the second period and then held back the big Bristol pack for what seemed like an hour, until their superior weight finally told and they forced themselves over the line to score.

At the end of time, it was decided that the draw would stand and, therefore, both teams would share the title as joint winners.

Town's try was scored and converted by Rhys Mills after a truly outstanding midfield break from Ed Barry and everyone performed fantastically.

Line-up: Angus P, Alex G, Alex GL, Henry W, Harley P, Junaid S, Sam G, Harry S, Will J, Toby F, Tom G, Charlie G, Fergus M, Freddie L, Felix S, Jack M, Bertie G and James S-M.

It is impossible to recall a single being missed tackle and everyone played their hearts out. In a true team display, no one could have asked for more.

It is a fantastic achievement for the team to be County Champions two years running, and the entire squad will surely feel very proud of themselves.

Cirencester U11s v Cheltenham U11s The U11s put in a superb performance to defeat local rivals Cheltenham 7-0 to lift the cup.

Playing with the elements, early pressure from the opposition's forwards was repelled by excellent tackling.

Cirencester won a penalty and found an excellent touch deep in the Cheltenham half.

From the ensuing lineout, McDonald Milner drove over for the opening and crucial try.

Concentration was required for the rest of the first half and, although under pressure in set pieces, Cirencester held their own in the loose and started to win better quality possession.

Town kicked off against the wind in the second half knowing that nothing less than total commitment would be required to win the cup.

Led by Sparks and McDonald Milner, the forwards continued to give a strong Cheltenham pack no time to settle.

With Barthorp and Freyne's tackling in the centre, there was no space available for the Cheltenham backs and Town gradually gained control.

From a clearance by Dawe and and excellent chase by the backs, the forwards took control and drove for the line.

Unfortunately, the referee was unsighted and unable to award a try. Nonetheless, from this point on, Cirencester were not to be denied and held on for a famous victory.

This has been a true squad effort and without the contribution of all players, particularly in previous rounds, this victory would not have been possible.

Squad: McDonald Milner, Dawe, Freyne, Dykes, Greenwood, Ward, Bond, Cooper, Barthorp, Wilson, Morris, Dye, Stevens, Sparks, Rhys Thomas, Reid.

Cirencester U9s v Cinderford U9s After defeating Cinderford 15-5 in a pulsating match, Cirencester youngsters were awarded their GRFU winners' medals by Mike Heath and the Festival organiser, Sean O'Reilly.

But a leg injury to fly-half Jos Pink in the warm-up meant a change to Town's line-up and this, combined with big-game nerves, led to a tentative start.

It was only strong defence, notably by wingers Will Seville and Freddie Corp, that kept Cinderford at bay.

Eventually, just before half-time, the Town backs used quick hands to get Kosylowicz clear and he use his exceptional pace to arc his way round the Cinderford defence to open the scoring for a 5-0 interval lead.

Following treatment, Pink's return for the second half led to a more stable game-plan.

The forwards were winning more ball and putting their rivals under pressure at rucks and mauls, although opportunities were still hard to come by.

During one Cinderford foray, the ball fell loose and Pink fed Eldred on the blind-side. With little room to manoeuvre, the Welsh centre ran up the touchline for a fine individual score.

Cinderford were not going to accept defeat easily and came back to score a good try. In response, Ford, Newman, Collyer-Bristow and Pink all tried breaks up the middle.

From one of them, the ball was fed out to Kosylowicz who outsprinted the defence to score a decisive try, much to the joy of the Town support.

Reserves, Oscar Doyle, Harry Rhys-Thomas, Barnaby Morton and Josh White then took to the field to ensure that Cinderford didn't score again.