THE sun shone and the frost thawed last Sunday at Kingsland, Herefordshire, the home of the famous Lucton RFC.

Gwernyfed’s under 11s team had the best day they’d had in a long time. 13 teams entered into two pools, towns with large populations such as Bromsgrove, Stourbridge, Hereford, Lucton and Droitwich to name but a few.

Local sides always box well above their weight against these bigger English clubs, in the numbers that the bigger English clubs can select from, so this made the day even sweeter for the team.

Gwernyfed had a tough pool to start with and had to kick off the first game of the festival against Bromyard. A big English side with pace out wide was a challenge but the strong determined forwards of Jamie Farmer, Lloydd Powell and Ryan Jones (capt) ensured quick ball continually for the back line making Harri Saunders Jones and Matthew Price a continual threat.

After the initial victory the side went on to beat Stourbridge who were last year runners up. The half back combination of Tristan Dillon and Dylan Skyrme struck fear into the heart of the big English side who simply couldn’t deal with the offering. The exceptional wings of Tomas Davies, Ellis James, Noah Smith and Cori Phillips, making the most of every opportunity coming their way.

Against Lucton, at their own festival, the side dropped standards slightly but still managed to beat them 2-0. And with this victory came an air of expectation from within the squad and a possibility of a huge achievement.

They were soon knocked off their perch by a big and very powerful Bromsgrove side losing 3-0. With Stourbridge beating Bromsgrove the pool was ripped wide open and Gwernyfed went into the cup semi - finals against last years winners Pentyrch.

A strong Welsh side was met by an equally strong Welsh side in a great and fierce clean game of rugby, and battled out in the right spirits.

Gwernyfed in using the game plan coaches had put in place came away with a 3-1 victory and a place in the cup final of the festival with Stourbridge once again the opposition. With a fear that the first game was a stroke of luck, the young Gwernyfed battle hardened players led by the exemplary Ryan Jones stepped into the fray. A try was conceded by Gwernyfed and this seemed to be the ticking time bomb that was required.

What can only be described as lions being unleashed from a cage, the squad set out and fought back to a half time score of 2-1 to Gwernyfed, taken exceptionally well by the ever present Matthew Price and the ever improving example of a quality rugby player that is Lloydd Powell.

With the continual pressure and fresh feet of the powerhouse Spencer Dixon it was fitting the last try was taken by the pure pressure that was exerted by the whole squad and Dylan Skyrme’s charge down and chase killed off any form of come back from the English Powerhouse who’s senior team are division one of the English league.

Coaches Geraint Skyrme and Geriant Pritchard said afterwards: "This is a huge achievement considering we have a squad of twenty children playing against these huge English clubs.

"We are blessed with a great group of parents,children and cannot thank the club enough for their continual support.

"We cannot wipe the smile off our faces considering we came here two years ago and lost every game. It’s a credit to the children who work hard, listen and respond and shaping into some fine, fine young rugby players."