THE Malvern RFC Mini/Midis signed off a long and eventful season with their annual Rugby World Cup Tag Rugby Tournament last Sunday.

The youngsters were joined by players from the Malvern 'Angels' junior section and both groups mixed their talents to produce a wonderful exhibition of running rugby for the parents and carers who came along to watch.

This year, it was the children who decided which nations should take part in the tournament and as well as representing the regular top rugby playing countries, the youngsters decided that Afghanistan and Iraq should also be represented too.

After the early stages of the tournament, it was clear that not all the traditional rugby playing nations had performed well and England, Ireland, South Africa and Australia all failed to reach the top slots. In fact it was Iraq who topped their group with The Barbarians runners-up, while Wales came first in the other group with Fiji claiming the last place in the semi-final play-offs.

Fiji got the better of Wales winning the tie 3-2 while the Barbarians won their semi-final by a 'golden try' after being held by the Iraqis to a 4-4 draw at full-time. Nevertheless, the Baa Baas stormed back in an exciting final to beat the plucky Fijians 5-4 in the dying seconds of the match and to claim the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

After the final, the players from the Malvern Mini/Midis and the 'Angels' came together for the end of season presentation where the skills and talents of the performers from both groups were recognised by their respective coaches.

The squad player of the year awards were made to Richard Clive (U7/8), Eric Carlan (U9), Joe Budd (U10), William Turner (U11) and Ben Shaw (U12).

The Malvern Gazette & Ledbury Reporter Top Try Scorer Trophy was won by Dan Wren and the Youth Chairman's Cup was awarded to James Cavanagh (U11). The prestigious trophy for Malvern Gazette & Ledbury Reporter Mini/Midi Player of the Year was presented to 10 year old Neil Powell. Neil only started playing rugby as part of the Malvern 'Taggers' club last summer and yet, through grim determination and hard work, he proved to be a star in the making as the rugby season progressed.

The Malvern 'Angels' were also honoured with prizes and the most improved player award was presented to Lauren Davies, while Olivia Baston picked up the Malvern 'Angels' Young Player of the Year Award for an outstanding season.

The Malvern rugby coaches would like to thank all the parents who supported mini/midi rugby at Malvern RFC this season and a big thank you to all of the players for their efforts and for turning up week in, week out through rain, shine and snow.

The Malvern Mini/Midis and 'Angels' now take a rest for the summer before regrouping for registration on Saturday, August 31, the start of the 2003 Rugby World Cup season.

Between then, Malvern RFC YDS will be opening its doors to new players from six to 11 years old, at weekly tag rugby clubs held at Malvern RFC and The Hill Centre in Upton.

The Malvern and Upton 'Taggers' clubs will start in July and will run until the end of the summer holiday break.

More news about these exciting summer clubs will follow in the coming weeks in the Malvern Gazette & Ledbury Reporter.