Ledbury u12s 10, Rhiwbina u12s 0.

(Final-Cheltenham Tournament).

LEDBURY’S opening try came from a drop-out, which was cleanly caught by Sam Seaborn, who saw a gaping hole open in front of him.

As he gathered steam, time seemed to stand still as he made his way towards the opposition goal-line to score within moments of the kick-off.

This was just the boost Ledbury needed as they realised that they could win the tournament.

Rhiwbina retaliated by throwing all they could muster to level the score.

But fortress Ledbury held firm with try-saving tackles from Sam Prestwich, Cameron Hunter and Will Butler.

Will Butler’s long drop-out bounced neatly into touch and put Ledbury deep inside the Rhiwbina half.

The ensuing line-out was turned over to Ledbury and George Hemingway doubled the score early in the half.

The subsequent Rhiwbina drop-out went far too long and ended up in the dead-ball area so it was a Ledbury scrum back in the centre.

Rhiwbina eventually managed a turn-over and looked threatening but Toby Hiram made a try-saving tackle. Defensively, Ledbury then had to contend with both fair and foul as the opposition threw literally everything at them, resulting in a sending off for one player.

Ledbury advanced to the final following a 10-10 draw with Cheltenham in the semi-final.

But Ledbury went through on tries scored.

Cheltenham scored two first-half tries until the second period was dominated by Ledbury.

Captain Butler scored a touchdown and Hemingway crashed through to score the levelling try with moments to go.

In the group stages, Ledbury opened with a 15-0 win over Bredon, beat Old Silhilians 10-0 and then defeated Painswick by the same scoreline in their final pool one clash.

Tournament try scorers: Hemingway (4), Butler (2), Rory Bateson (2), Benedict Shimwell, Charlie Samwells and Sam Seaborn.

Malvern u12s.

(Cheltenham Festival).

TESTING weather conditions did not dampen Malvern spirits as they worked hard to overcome a slow start and claim a respectable ninth place overall in the 16-team Cheltenham Festival.

In their opening game against the hosts, the Malvern backs struggled to move the ball through wet hands, conceding several scrums from knock-ons.

Cheltenham made the most of this and ended up winners by 10-0 as Malvern failed to relieve the pressure on their defence.

In their second game, Malvern faced Longlevens and they were by no means outclassed as both teams struggled with the soft ground. Eventually beaten 10-5, Malvern needed a result from their final pool match to get a good play-off position.

Luctonians played well but Malvern scored the only try of the final pool game and were unlucky to have a good second try disallowed.

The play-off semi-final against Painswick started untidily with possession being easily lost by both sides.

Malvern scored the winning try from a well set up rolling maul and kept Painswick under pressure for most of the game.

The play-off final against Marlborough saw Malvern absorbing early pressure as they were pinned back on their try-line.

With the crowd behind them, Malvern fought back and scored the first try.

Marlborough soon responded with their first try but a good Malvern drive in the second-half secured the game for them.