750 children from 60 teams from across the UK took part in the first ever Ospreys Challenge in association with miTour at Pencoed last weekend.
It was a busy weekend in Bridgend when more than 1,500people from Wales, England and Ireland arrived at Trecco Bay and Pencoed RFC for the inaugural Ospreys Challenge.
The tournament, run in association with miTour Sports Travel, saw two days of rugby action with teams from U7s to U15s taking part. Both touring and local teams enjoyed a fantastic weekend of rugby with some thrilling games and great sportsmanship on show as teams got to take on sides they never normally would.
There were also opportunities to meet the Ospreys players, with several of the squad making an appearance over the weekend to meet the young participants and hand out the medals.
Teams above U12s competed for trophies in the Cup and Bowl Competition and despite a change in the weather there were some exciting battles on the field.
In the U12s Cup Final Monmouth Griffins beat Vardre 5 – 0 with Ammanford claiming a comprehensive 30 – 0 victory over Swansea Uplands in the Bowl.
The U13s Bowl final saw touring side Hungerford claim the trophy over local team Porthcawl and Llantwit Major with a narrow win over Vardre in the Cup final.
Porth managed to edge out Llantwit Major in the U14s Bowl Final with a 5 – 0 victory. But the biggest win of the weekend came in the U14s Cup Final with Clifton beating Irish side Mullingar 55 – 5.
It was England v Wales in the U15s Finals with the travelling sides taking the spoils in the first ever Ospreys Challenge. The Cup final saw Collumpton beat Bridgend Athletic 5 – 0 with Rotherham Phoenix the winner on points scored over the weekend after a 0 – 0 draw with Rhyl in the final game.
Tom Sloane, Community Programmes Co-ordinator Ospreys in the Community, remarked on the success of the weekend:
“We’ve had an absolutely brilliant weekend at the Ospreys Challenge. OitC and miTour are thrilled that it’s been such a success and that so many boys and girls, as well parents and coaches, have been part of the event and enjoyed it.
“We’re grateful to Pencoed RFC for hosting us for the weekend and thankful to all the referees and helpers, without whom the weekend couldn’t have run.
“The team have worked incredibly hard to prepare for the event and over the weekend, and it’s been great to see all the boys and girls enjoying taking to the fields! We’re already looking at what we can do next years Ospreys Challenge even bigger and better than this one!”
If you wish to receive information on next years tournament, or register your interest, please email info@mitour.co.uk or call 0800 773 4820.