Ivel travelled to Bournemouth for the annual mini tournament with 10 players on what turned out to be a very warm day.

20 teams had registered and travelled from various locations across the country.

Ivel were grouped with Wimborne, Launceston, Eastleigh and Tonyrefail.

First up were Wimborne who we had lost and beaten earlier in the season.

Five minutes each way didn’t sound a long time but the Ivel boys made sure it was long enough as they started as they meant to go on. Passing and moving supporting the ball carrier and ensuring someone was always in space, they soon opened a two score lead and Max was thriving in the space left and created almost all of the scores. Wimborne came back with a score of there own, but that was there only try for the rest of the game. The Ivel boys would not let them pass. They ran out winners six tries to 1, with everyone involved.

Tries scored by Sol 1, Byron 2, Elliott 1 and Jake D 2.

The boys second game was against Eastleigh (Hampshire). Playing against a new opponent Ivel started nervously and Eastleigh scored the first try. This sparked the boys into life. Soon they had levelled the scores and were on the attack again, Elliott seemed to be on the shoulder of anyone who made a break, Ivel were two scores up and so was Elliott. Eastleigh came back and but for some great defence by Aaron and Sol could of scored. The game then went from end to end with Ivel finishing 2 scores ahead. Final score 5 – 3.

Tries scored by Elliott 2, Sol 2 and Alex 1.

Next was the Cornish all blacks (Launceston) who looked very well organised in previous matches. This turned out to be a thriller, with both sides producing a high standard of rugby. Both teams had strong runners who were cancelling each other out each time they made a break. Ivel scored first with some strong running from Byron. This motivated the rest of his team, George and Dom were now making some very good breaks and Byron was capitalising scoring again. Launceston came back with two unanswered tries of there own, but Ivel stepped up again and scored a further two tries. Launceston scored again with a minute to play. The young baa baas defended strongly to ensure their line was not breached and just ran out winners 4 – 3.

Tries by Byron 3 and Jake D 1.

The final pool game was against Tonyrefail(South Wales), who had only managed 1 draw out of there previous games, however they gave Ivel another great game. Ivel seemed to take their foot of the gas at the start of this game and Tonyrefail soon opened a lead of two scores. A few words of encouragement from parents and coaches seemed to do the trick, Alex and Jake R took the ball at every opportunity and made good yardage. All of the Ivel players were now back to there usual levels and soon were in the lead. Ivel were 5-3 up with less than a minute left, but Tonyrefail were not finished and scored as the final whistle went. Final score 5-4 to Ivel.

Four wins out of four a fantastic effort, we topped the group which meant going into the cup competition against one of the other pool winners.

From Craig

An unbelievable day for this tournament met Ivel at Bournemouth, the organised parents once again prepared for all occasions.

The first match was a nervous one for the team against Wimborne, a team we have met in the past with unpredictable outcomes. Ivel started as they wished to go on, with sublime attacking skill and support play improved by their frantic unstoppable defensive skills allowing them to run away with the first match with a solid score of 6 tries to Wimborne’s 1, with tries coming from Byron (2), Jake D (2), Alex and Elliott.

Our second match was against an unknown quantity against Eastleigh. Once again Ivel showed a strong performance in both attack and defence although maybe due to their nerves allowed in some easy tries however this did not waver them and they responded with magnificent running and support play allowing them to win their second match 5 tries to 3, with tries from Elliott (2), Alex and Sol (2).

Once again Ivel face a new team playing Launceston. Ivel began to look tired in this game, perhaps due to the heat during the day allowing Launceston to get in the game although when Ivel began to play their game attacking space and supporting effectively they put away enough tries to seal a 4 – 3 victory with the tries from Byron (3) and Jake D.

Our final group match was against Tonyrefain (I believe that’s the spelling?). This match against an unpredictable side as we noted from their previous results and they proved that in the match showing some pace in attack which was responded to by Ivel’s running, supporting and passing skills leading to some spectacular tries and another win 5 tries to 4 with tries from Sol, Jake D, Byron (2) and Jake R. Although after careful deliberation and seeing that Dominic didn’t step out in to touch and after a fantastic run scored a try giving an unofficial win to Ivel of 6 tries to 4.

This meant that Ivel progressed through the group stages unbeaten in their group already improving on their last years results as they win their group with impressive results.

The semi final stage was set to be an exciting event with Ivel playing New Milton however Ivel proved to tired for the New Milton attack either due to the heat again or perhaps the run of matches leading to the tournament catching up with the players. However Ivel showed great tenacity and never stopped playing and were rewarded with some excellent tries of their own although it seemed too much and Ivel lost this match 7 tries to 2.

With this result Ivel still showed excellent skill through out the day with an unbeaten group stage against teams we have never played before and they improved on their last years result.

This event capped off the Under 8s season and did them justice for their efforts, their undeniable attacking skills prevailing in many of their matches and securing many victories. They have had a very successful season improving their skills considerably in training and putting it in to action in matches, friendship bonds made within the team have been made stronger and also on the results table as well.

I believe it is safe to say that I am very proud of the boys this season and hope them all the best in the future.

Craig