Wow!!!!! Where to start, when I saw the fixture list and the teams coming to play, I knew we were in for a tough day, every team was strong, some we have played and some we are due to play soon.

The first game of the tournament saw Ivel lions pitted against Minehead B team. All ten players involved did everything we have worked on in training this season, playing as a team, supporting runners, tagging and defending as a line. The highlights of the game( As this is all I can fit on these pages) involved Harry and Ethan making try saving tags ,Excellent support play from Darren let him in for a score, followed by a length of the field try, again for Darren. Jack also getting a try by following a run by louis,  Calebs brilliant run with ball in hand, very strong running from Ollie, Louis & Theo. Ben & Josh with a hatful of tags each .Basically every person doing his part for his team, earning a well deserved win.

Next up came Warminster (eventual finalists) Although beaten, the lions played every bit as well as the first game. Our ties both came from Darren, with good runs & support play from Ollie, Josh, , Ben, Louis& Harry, most pleasing was to see Ben taking charge of  organising the defence, closing the gaps.( good teamwork).

The third game for the lions was Wellington( after four very close games at their ground we were in for a cracker!!!).Harry, Ben & Theo taking their tries very well. Every time one of our players broke Wellingtons defence the whole of the lions team were up in support (what more could we ask). Again fantastic defence from all players saw us through for a well deserved win.

In round four Castle Cary lay in wait,( notoriously a very good side) this again turned into another exciting game, ending in a high scoring draw. Two tries for Harry, one each for Louis, Ollie, Ben & Theo. Again the teamwork and effort in both attack and defence were amazing, Ethan & Josh deserve credit for tagging anything that moved, support play was turning into a real feature of this lions team all the way through this tournament.

The final game for the lions came against Minehead  B. A game that really could have gone either way, but unfortunately ended in the narrowest of defeats .Lois, Darren, Theo & harry again on the scoresheet, all coming by way of strong direct running, support and good passing. Stubborn lions defence kept the score tight, Ethan, Caleb, Harry & Josh all getting loads of valuable tags, I’m sorry I cant mention all the good things everyone did but space just wont let me!!!!!!

The opening game of the tournament for a very excitable tigers team was sherborne. A lightening quick strike from jake got Ivel off  the mark, but poor defensive lines allowed sherborne to take advantage( I don’t think we had our game heads on yet !!!!) As the game went on the tigers grew into the game with cracking runs from Rufus, Rhys & Samuel, before Adam scored his first try of the day in the corner having got into a good support position first. Josh had a blinding game tagging as did Joseph.

Game two was to be the first of a series of  free flowing, high scoring, high octane games, Midsomer  Norton   the next opponents, Every strong run from Rufus, Toby & Rhys were met  with support from Jake, Adam, Sam, Josh & Joe. The last two tries came from strong  direct runs by  Josh & Rhys were carried on by Jake, Adam & Sam before being finished by Toby or Rufus. It was thequality of this support play and passing that stretched the Norton defence.

Game three was against eventual finalists Minehead A, what a game, the tigers were really starting toget into their stride, Rufus, Adam, Toby, Jake & Josh getting tries for a fantastic win, but quality of teams all round game seeing the team through with Joe, Adam, Josh, Rhys & jake managing a hatful of tags.

Next up was Dorchester, Again strong running from everyone was met by a strong Dorchester defence, so the importance of good support & fast, simple passess became more important. Adams try was a good example having tracked Tobys run, he then tracked Jake who had received the ball from Toby, leaving Adam in a position take a quick pass to score another of his tries. Rufus made some fantastic runs to score twice, Josh made some strong runs and managed to get some quick passess of to Toby to help with his tally of four tries. A special mention to Sam and Joe who were always in good positions  close to the ball but just didn’t get the ball , those tries will come soon !

The final game came against Frome, the tigers were really fired up for this one. Another high octane match & by now the runs and support play by everyone was second to none. A run from Joe  saw him tagged just before the try line, but quick thinking saw him pass to an ever alert Toby to score. A minute later saw Joe get a very well deserved try. The third try saw the whole team follow the runner, Ellie had a good run with ball in hand to cap off  the good defensive work she did in the first half. Josh, Sam & Jake put in non stop tagging to keep Frome at bay, unfortunately good runs by Rufus, Toby, Rhys &Adam just couldn’t stop Frome from pipping this close match.

I think that during a very difficult series of games, both the lions & tigers played the best rugby of the season, working together, with each player bringing different strengths to the side for a good balance. Usually it’s the tries or try scorers that get remembered, today was about  putting in the hard work, tagging, supporting & looking for a quick pass. Today everyone showed how much they have improved this season.

      Well done everyone!!!!!!