WOTTON Rover Jaguars U12 team triumphed in the Mid Glos Youth League by winning the Champions League Trophy in a dramatic final against Ebley recently, writes Thomas Rummels.

The youth side produced an amazing display winning a tough group by beating Central League winners Circencester 2-1 and Northern League winners Lydney 1-0 at the tournament held at Frampton-On-Severn.

It all went down to a tense final against Ebley, who had just pipped Wotton to the Southern Division title a few weeks earlier.

Stuart Sims opened the scoring with a well taken goal before Elliot Bloor put Wotton deservedly further ahead just a few minutes later.

The first half could have been even better when Dominic Melville headed against the bar from a fabulous Thomas Rummels corner.

With the score 2-0 at half time things looked promising for Wotton, however Ebley weren’t defeated yet and put in a great second half fight-back.

With five minutes remaining their pressure paid off and they netted two goals in quick succession to equalise.

Wotton looked a little ragged and were hanging on for extra time before good work from Rummels and Bloor forced a throw-in deep into Ebley territory.

Good work from the throw produced a great cross and with 30 seconds remaining Rowan Proudley volleyed home a sweet left foot shot from the edge of the box, straight into the corner of the Ebley net to win them the title.

After the game the Wotton goalkeeper, Tyler Hopkins, picked up the league player of the year award (joint with Ollie Davies – Severnside) for his man of the match performances throughout the season.

The Fair Play and league runners-up awards were also awarded to the Wotton side.

Secretary of Wotton Youth Football Club, Lesley Ford, said: “This is a fantastic achievement by Wotton Rovers U12s and is a testament to the all the hard work of the players, their coaches and their parents and supporters.

“This has been a very successful season for the youth section of Wotton Rovers”

The team is coached by Ian Rummels and Chris Shaw who echoed Lesley’s sentiments.

“The boys have been brilliant all season and this is no more than they deserve. Well done,” said Chris.

Ian Rummels said: “It is very unusual for a team to win both the Fair Play and the Champions league and just shows that not only are they a talented bunch, they know how to play the game in the right spirit.

“It was a terrific performance from a great bunch of lads. It is a pleasure to be involved with them."