FOR THE first time in several years, the Mini section of Cirencester Rugby Club will be represented at every age group from U8s-U12s in the County Finals at Cleve RFC on Sunday.

Each age group has reached the last four in the county, in either the main cup competition or the plate.

Youth chairman John Fowler has had to book two coaches to transport players and supporters down to Bristol for the day out.

The U8s, led by Rich Evans and Martin Mullin, will be competing in the cup competition having won through the group stages and quarter final.

In their final season of the ‘tag’ version of the game, the boys have really progressed well, playing with a great spirit, which will hold them in good stead for the stiff challenges on finals day.

The U9s Phoenix team, led by Chris Thorn, qualified for the cup thanks to some fine play in their group matches, all of which they won comprehensively.

Their quarter final against Old Bristolians proved to be a different kettle of fish, with OB’s coming out firing against a jaded Ciren side.

The game went down to the wire, with the winning try coming in the last minute. Ciren produced a great team performance all round, with tackling, support play and attacking runs from all players: Jack, Joe, George, Finn, Max, Jimmy, Nathanial, Ben, Ollie and Ols.

The U10s have won through to the plate finals, and coach ‘Rez’ and his squad include hooker Estelle Whittle.

During one of the County Festival games, the opposition No.9 was heard to shout at his front row: “Stop letting her rip it off you. She’s just a girl.”

Cirencester went on to win the game 5-0.

The U11s, led by Dave Shrimpton and his fellow coaches, have managed to build on a strong couple of seasons together, and will go into Sunday’s finals full of confidence.

The final piece of the jigsaw fell into place when Cirencester hosted the pool stage of the U12s County Cup at The Whiteway.

Despite the pressure of every other age group in the club having made it through to the finals, Cirencester U12s played their best rugby of the season.

Unbeaten in the pool stages, the U12s won a tight plate quarter final against Dursley to book their seats on the busy coach to finals day.

Each and every member of the squad played their part in a fantastic team effort .