It was a busy weekend for the Minis section with teams being despatched to Kendal, Tarleton, Vale and Huddersfield.
The Under 7s had teams at Kendal, Tarleton and the Huddersfield Festival. The team playing at Kendal had a successful morning winning all four games, displaying great teamwork in support and defence. To top it off they had bright blue skies surrounded by snow covered hilltops. The team playing at Tarleton also had a successful morning. The team of 4 gelled together excellently and worked hard in defence and scoring some excellent tries. The sausage sandwiches weren’t bad either! Finally we had two teams at Huddersfield who thoroughly enjoyed themselves, working well in their teams they came away with more wins than losses and some tired legs…and that was just the coaches – see photos below.
The Under 10s team at the Vale Festival went through the group stages winning all 5 of their matches to set up a semi-final against Macclesfield who had beaten them at Manchester. This time round it was a much different story with Hoppers running out the victors at 2-1. Hoppers under 10’s found themselves in their first festival final against Liverpool Collegiate. Hoppers stuck to their game plan, and ran out winners 4-2. This was a win for a squad of 30+ boys who always put in the effort, never take a backwards step and always show pride in the shirt they wear – see photos below.
The Under 11s also had a great run at the Vale Festival, ending up in the Plate final where they narrowly lost out – photos below.
The most significant game of the weekend for the Junior section was the Under 14s taking their place in the final of the Lancashire Junior Plate competition.
The Under 14s suffered the agony of a narrow defeat in the Lancashire Plate final, losing out to Orrell 26-24 at Southport. Hoppers played some fantastic rugby despite losing Hooker Daniel Cooper in the warm up before the game to an ankle fracture, even having a kick to level the scores.
The Under 13s, 14s and 17s all played at home to touring side Ross High on Sunday.
The Under 13s, with a hand full of players away due to holidays, injuries etc, were able to give the whole squad plenty of game time. Despite a spirited performance from Ross who had some big lads in their team, Hoppers played the better rugby and with a great all round team effort dominated most of the play running out 36-19 winners. Well done lads!!
The Under 14s fielded a Development team but found it tough against the touring side and lost out 54-7 while the Under 17s enjoyed a 34-34 draw, 12 tries in the game with 9 coming from Hoppers players! Stainton bagged 4, two for each side.
