March 20, 2023

The season got well underway on Saturday for our U14s as Elmbridge Eagles welcomed players from  the Brixton Bulls, Hemel Hempstead Stags, London Skolars All Stars, St Albans Centurions, Brentwood Eels, Invicta Panthers and Eastern Rhinos to our ground in Thames Ditton for the London Primary and Junior League U14 9s tournament.

                                                                  Eventual winners, Hemel Hempstead Stags

After navigating the traffic from a nearby car enthusiasts's gathering and a flood caused by some very heavy rain the Rugby League Gods eventually shone on us long enough for the players to put on a great display of sportsmanship, enthusiasm and skill.

                                                                 Thanks go to our match day officials

A 2 pool format eventually saw Elmbridge Eagles progress to one semi-final where they prevailed against  old rivals the Brixton Bulls, while in the other semi final Hemel Hempstead Stags beat a combined team from Brentwood Eels and Invicta Panthers.

This left Elmbridge to face Hemel Hempstead Stags in the final, who eventually ran out 12 - 8 winners after a close contest that went to injury time.

Meanwhile in the Plate the London Skolars All Stars faced off against a combined team from St Albans Centurions and Eastern Rhinos, with the Skolars eventually running out the winners.

                                                                 Elmbridge Eagles U14s made the final

                                                                      While Skolars All Stars won the Plate

All in all it was a great way to kick the season off. Congratulations to Hemel Hempstead Stags and London Skolars for your trophies and to all the players, parents and supporters who travelled to our ground and made an otherwise grey, rainy March day into a fun and enjoyable one.