Eastern Counties Rugby Union

Eastern Counties have placed a huge focus this season on the U18 / U17 age group.

In order to protect and increase player participation an innovative series of 3 way Merit Table fixtures has been created, with no less than 21 clubs entered.
Already, there have been some excellent Sunday lunch-time games, with all clubs working together to provide playing opportunities, and finding reasons to play.

The next stage in the program was the Stowmarket U18 Festival held on Sunday 13th October.

What a great Sunday - we had 15 sides enjoying a great day’s rugby, a fantastic turn out at U18s !!

Teams were entered from North Walsham, Wymondham, Crusaders, Diss, West Norfolk, Cambridge, Ely, Saffron Walden, Braintree, Sudbury, Colchester , Bury St Edmunds, Woodbridge and Southwold.
Every team entered turned up, although some did not have a complete side, or an experienced front row, but all worked together – players were lent, some games were played with reduced numbers or with uncontested scrums.
Every team played 4 x 15 minute one way games, with “finals” for virtually all teams.

Ross Cowie, Chairman of Age Grade Rugby commented “Thanks to all clubs for turning up, and we all appreciated the co-operation between the teams, for helping those clubs without full numbers, or a front row, and for assisting nigh on 300 x 16, 17 & 18 year olds enjoy a day’s rugby. The atmosphere and spirit were great, and the quality of the rugby was excellent – with some very close, well-matched and competitive games. Congratulations to Wymondham for winning, and being the only side with a 100% record, but congratulations to every other club for their efforts, and thanks tour friends at Stowmarket for hosting.”

Wymondham beat Cambridge 7-0 in the Trophy; Bury beat Colchester 7-0 in the Plate, Bury beat N Walsham (bolstered by Crusaders) 7-0 in the Shield, Woodbridge beat Saffron Walden (bolstered by Sudbury) and Diss (supported by Stowmarket) beat Ely.
Joe Niembro of Cambridge commented “Just wanted to say a real success, I agree, spirit of the day and the rugby I saw”. Martin Barnard of Stowmarket “really great day”. Iain Keys of Saffron Walden added “some great rugby for the lads”.