U12s win Shield at Malone International tournament

2nd/3rd April 2005

Maidenhead Under 12s travelled to Belfast on the weekend of 2/3 April to play in the Malone RFC International Festival of Rugby and returned victorious by winning the Shield Competition. Thirteen players took part in this tough event, which hosted teams from England, Ireland (North and South), Scotland and Wales.

Maidenhead's boys faced a challenging first day schedule on Saturday and finished with a lost two, won one record. The first game saw them concede three rapid tries to Irish side, Old Crescent. However, once their composure returned, Maids won the second half by one try to nil.

Their next game saw an outstanding explosion of running rugby with some scintillating back play resulting in an eight try to nil victory over Lisburn. The next and last game was a tense affair with Maids being squeezed out two tries to one against another Irish side, Barnhall. This result just pushed them out of the main competition but presented the opportunity for the team to shine in the Shield competition.

The route to the final held three tough games with Maids successful in each one. They emerged on top with a three tries to nil win over compatriots, Effingham & Leatherhead. They then ground out a desperately hard-fought one try to nil win over Dublin's Clontarff followed by an accomplished four tries to nil win over Scotland's Glasgow Hawks. This landed Maidenhead in the final.

The final was played against the local Ards RFC and began with the boys nervously testing each other’s skills and willpower. Once the initial awe wore off however, Maids unleashed their most polished performance of the weekend with four exceptional tries - three from Paul Sayers and one from Oliver Evans.

The team were presented with their fully-deserved trophies in front of a large crowd, including local dignitaries such as the Mayor of Belfast. Malone RFC are to be congratulated on the wonderfully warm welcome they provided to all and for the superlative organisation of such a top class event.

The proud and successful tourists were: Elliot Reid, Morgan Davies, Tristan Cadden, Paul Sayers, Paul Sweeney, Oliver Evans, Chris Heeley (Capt.), Connor McCarthy, Sam McCarthy, Alex Jones, David Walker, Alex Ridgeway and James Holt.