THE 36th year of the Cirencester Youth 7s – generally regarded as the longest running youth rugby 7s tournament in the country – welcomed 32 teams on a bright sunny Sunday.

Rugby (Seevns)

Cirencester RFC Youth 7s

Special awards were provided to the outstanding Cirencester players at each age group, selected by the independent referees. Olo Omotoso was chosen as the U18 player of the tournament; Sam Johnson (U16s) was awarded the Kevin McQuillan Memorial Shield and Sam Campbell picked up the Carter Shield in the U16s.

The main tournament trophy, the U18/Colts Hugh Evans Memorial Shield was won this year by Bath, who won all their pool matches and beat Stroud College in the final; Cirencester won the plate.

The U16s Halcrow Shield was won by Ledbury, who beat Cirencester into second place. Ledbury were also victorious at U15 level.

Mary Sawyer of Relish, a long-time supporter of the tournament and in particular girls' rugby, presented the player awards to Lucy Martin (Girls' U18) and Evie Shutt (Girls' U15).

The John Sawyer Trophy was won by Melksham, and the Somewhere Else Shield went to Wyvern Warriors (formerly SuperMiren).

Richard Lloyd of Tanners Solicitors was on hand in the morning to present the trophies to the U11s to U14s age group, and the player awards went to Tom Bird (U14s); the Mick Clapton Fair Play award to Howard Hawkes (13s); Tom Briar (U12s) and Sam Howell (U11s).

Ledbury RFC played some outstanding rugby, winning all their pool games and emerging worthy victors at U13s and U14s level.

In the U11s, Cirencester came runners-up to Dursley, while in the U12s, Cinderford narrowly beat Hucclecote, with Cirencester winning the plate.

CRFC and the 7s organising committee would like to pay special thanks to sponsors Tanners Solicitors, ICS Consulting, Relish, Seager Welding and Property Pathfinder for their financial assistance, along with the referees and volunteers, whose support and commitment ensured yet another outstanding and enjoyable day.