Rugby stars of the future (From Gazette Series)

Rugby stars of the future

Dursley Rugby Festival

Put together five local rugby clubs, 34 teams, some 500 players and a presentation ceremony including two Gloucester players, then you have the recipe for a yet another successful Mini's festival at Dursley Rugby Club.

The festival staged by Dursley's Junior section is one of the areas most popular events, with an ever extending waiting list of hopeful clubs wanting to fill any last minute vacancies in the U7 to U12 age groups present.

Despite weather conditions that worsened as the day progressed, nothing short of a Florida hurricane would have dissuaded the young players from attending.

Several hundred parents and fellow spectators were rewarded with an absolute spectacle of rugby, with some incredibly close score lines and hard fought matches. But the day was primarily about enjoyment and the development of all of the young player's skills for their future.

Although Dursley failed to secure a win in any age group, they came a close second on more than one occasion. Painswick deservedly won the fair play award for their conduct at the festival.

To close a perfect day, Gloucester players Duncan McRae (fly-half) and Jon Goodridge (full-back) presented the winners medals and signed match-day programmes for the hoards of youngsters (and their Mums and Dads!).