Evesham U11 welcomed Ledbury, Malvern, Tewkesbury and Bredon to Lower Albert Road on Sunday for the 2nd Annual Mini Festival. What a prospect, local sides assembled, sun out and enough BBQ to feed an army after plenty of rugby for everyone. All teams entered into a pool based competition, 6 minutes each way over 4 rounds to decide Cup and Plate finals.

The Evesham squad consisted of Jack Sanger-Davies, Jake Hopkins, Geordy Wright, Max Aris, Will Gilderson, Hamish Cross, Oliver Wycherley (captain), Tom Stone, James Hoare, Oliver Neal, Tom Merrall, Will Brett and Joel Duberley. Limited to one side per club, a second festival in Bicester in a few weeks will give the other half of the Evesham squad some festival time.

Game 1 - Evesham v Tewkesbury
Nice flowing rugby from Evesham saw it 5 tries to nil at half time – Will G (3), Olly W (1) and Tom S (1). Second half picked up where the first left off with tries for Jake (2), Will G (1), Will B (1) and Tom S (1). Evesham 10 : Tewkesbury 0 at the final whistle

Game 2 - Evesham v Malvern
A tougher encounter and poignant because Evesham narrowly lost to Malvern in the final of the 1st Mini Festival. Despite strenuous defence Evesham where trailing by a single try at half time. A spirited performance in the second half saw Evesham score 4 tries – Will G (3) and Tom S (1) without reply. Evesham 4 : Malvern 1

Game 3 - Evesham v Ledbury
More flowing rugby and strenuous defence by everyone saw Jake (1), Will G (2), Olly W (1) and James (1) cross the line but with all fingerprints on the ball. 5 tries to nil at half time. Squad rotation for the second half saw 1 more try for Evesham – Jake - ending it Evesham 6 :Ledbury : 0

Game 4 - Evesham v Bredon
Local rivals and with some extra spice from lots of school mates across the 2 teams, a tough encounter was level at 1 try a piece (Will G) at half time, Bredon then edged a lead in the second half shortly before the final whistle. Evesham were awarded a penalty 5m from the Bredon line but time was up before it could be played. Evesham 1 : Bredon 2

At this point it is worth mentioning that it was great to see Mo down, undercover in plain clothes and shades to mask his true identity of ‘Team Founder and Head Coach on Holiday’. Players and parents were equally pleased to see him, in fact Ed’s motivational team talk immediately before the final, and straight off a narrow defeat in game 4 contained just 3 words ‘Make Mo Proud’.

Cup Final - Evesham v Bredon – a repeat of Game 4

A more determined Evesham side remembered how to pass the ball and defend a line and through significant contributions from all players managed to edge 2 tries ahead by half time with Tom Merrall and Will Gilderson touching down. Second half more of the same with solid team performance resulting in tries for Hamish Cross, a second for Will Gilderson and Oliver Wycherley to seal the game. Final Score Evesham 5 : Bredon 0

A fantastic festival, great endeavour and appetite by all players and one might argue an overdue festival win after a few close seconds over the years. Proudest people on the day: Ed, JB, Tim, Simon and 20 who could not be more proud of every single player today. Great great work lads.

Credit to all the hard working volunteers for organising and running such a great event. To everyone flying the BBQ, arranging the fixtures, serving the drinks, refereeing the games and for all the behind the scenes toil, huge thanks from the U11s.

CCR: Thanks to Mrs Aris (who clearly loves her name on the internet) and Stu Duberley for separate but equally welcome coffee runs.

Anyone else glad we spent 20 minutes assembling the storm shelter on what turned out to be the hottest and driest day of the year so far ?