Pride of Rossendale - U12's at Preston Grasshoppers Tournament

This was a day to treasure as a coach, a player or a parent.

Blue skies and a cool breeze greeted the teams at the home of Lancashire rugby with a huge schedule of teams and match timings...

In our morning group were Fylde, Burnley and Warrington. First up Fylde, seemingly intent on revenge for losing to us at Vale of Lune, were dispatched by a couple of tries; local rivals Burnley went down four tries to nil to leave the impressive looking Warrington as last group match. We had seen their running and passing game but the Rossendale team fronted up for the challenge and scored the opening try in a hugely intense match which saw the teams draw one try apiece. That opening score had meant the Rossendale boys topped the group to go through against the other three group winners! Brilliant.

After a move to the magnificence of the first XV pitch and a short break we ran out against Grasshoppers Green (B team) for a spirited win with some lovely interplay and great passion. Up a notch against the Grasshoppers Whites (A team) our boys held out from an early lead when the score got back to four tries each but a last second sprint down the wing saw Rossendale home by five tries to four. The final of finals came against the might of Manchester, unbeaten (like us) throughout the day, and what a game they got. 12 minutes of sheer determined effort and commitment saw our boys fall short by the smallest of margins - a single try to nil - for the Cup but claiming the runners up prize spectacularly.

This was a special day for this team who all showed massive commitment, unbelievable team spirit and generosity to stand aside for others to play as things got down to the wire. For us all watching this was a performance all day that we have never seen and our congratulations must go to this special bunch of young players. Well done.

And also thanks to Hoppers for a very enjoyable and well organised day.