Ballymena, Ballyclare, Cooke, Ards, Donaghadee in squads of 14. Bangor fielded two P6 teams and three P5 teams. In all over 200 players participated and there were 500 plus spectators.

After the early driving rain showers, the tournament settled down to play. There were also plenty of distractions such as the barbecue and the photography run by DEphoto, which provided parents with some great shots of their kids to keep as a memento. If you didn’t get a chance to get a photo on the night, visit http://www.dephoto.co.uk/ where you can buy copies.

This is one of the few tournaments that give players a chance to play under the lights and most teams settled into that challenge very well. It is also one of the first tournaments of the season, and provides an early indication of which teams are going to be the strongest during the year.

Most matches were very evenly contested which is a testament to the excellent standard of coaching and the support given by parents throughout the clubs. Some outstanding tries were scored, with excellent support play, handling skills and passing very much in evidence, something which will stand Ulster rugby well in future years.

Victorious Cooke team receiving their trophy from Joe Jorden of the Jermon Group (left), main tournament sponsor, and Griff Kirkpatrick, Senior Vice President Bangor RFC (right)

P5’s

This was played in tournament style with eight teams in two sections.

Bangor 2’s finished third overall and in an excellent final, Cooke triumphed over a very good Ballymena team by just one try, again demonstrating just how well drilled these teams are.

P6’s

This was played in a blitz style with all teams playing each other in a seven team league. Bangor Tigers came second in this tournament, scoring a very credible 15 tries during the evening.

Winners were Cooke who remained unbeaten in all matches and scored 19 tries.

At the presentation of prizes, medals and trophies, Griff Kirkpatrick, Senior Vice President, Bangor Rugby Club to passed a vote of thanks to Ross Gillanders MBE for his thorough and Herculean efforts in organising the tournament. “The Bangor Mini Rugby Floodlit tournament has been running for 15 years and I think this was the biggest and most successful so far.”

“Mini rugby has gone through a huge expansion in the last few years at Bangor going from around 60 players seven years ago to 170 players this year in age groups P3, P4, P5, P6, P7 and Maxi (First Form)”, he continued.

Griff also said thanks to the Referees – Clare McAteer, Teddy Hall, David Fergie, Hammy, Tommy Skipp, Drew Kennedy and Richard Kennedy and the Parents Team from the P5’s and P6’s for providing the team packs, the soups and the hot dogs and burgers.

The crowd gathers in the club house for the presentations

Robert Lyle, Mini Convenor, thanked the Jermon Group for their sponsor ship of the tournament. “We are all looking forward to seeing the new Springhill Shopping Centre when it opens in Spring 2008.”

He also thanked the other sponsors including Riverrock, TESCO, Allied Bakeries, Castlereagh Hills Golf Club, Dundonald International Ice Bowl, Dale Farm and the Hire Store.

Joe Jordan of the Jermon Group handed out the P5 medals and trophies and Griff Kirkpatrick presented the P6 medals and trophies.