WORCESTERRugby Club's under 11s travelled with a squad of 35 boys to the Gulliver's Northern Festival at Southport last week end. Splitting into two squads (Assassins and Barbarians) they met sides from all over England and Eire.

The Barbarians first game against Coolmine (Dublin) resulted in a clear and satisfying 10-0 win but was followed by a demanding run of Worcester Assassins, Ormskirk (Lancashire and Che-shire champions) and Hertford (Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire champions).

Although losing all three games they were all hugely contested affairs with the game against their own club mates almost producing a shock result. After three narrow defeats the character of the Barbarians was to be tested the next day with fixtures against Southport, Sandbach and Nottingham.

Southport were dispatched 20-0, Sandbach conceded two tries to nil and the final, Nottingham game produced a tight match. An early Worcester score proved decisive and meant the Barbarians finished in a fine fourth place.

The Worcester Assassins started their campaign against the Barbarians and were quickly brought down to earth -- a single try separating the sides. This sobering experience caused some re-thinking and in the second game versus Coolmine the Assassins came out clear 20-0 winners. The 15-0 win over Sandbach was slightly disappointing and did not accurately reflect the game. Then they finished the day in style with a 20-0 win over Southport.

Next morning Nottingham were beaten 25-0, then came Ormskirk who arrived with a fearsome reputation.

The game was an epic struggle with Worcester holding the upper hand. One try was sufficient to go forward to meet Hertford for the cup.

Hertford had some good backs and it was important for the Worcester forwards to ensure they did not receive too much ball. This they did and with another single try, Worcester Assassins won the Gulliver's Cup in front of a large crowd.

This was a fine achievement by a team which, with previous successes at Sandal, North Midlands and Stratford had gone through their Tournament season undefeated and scored 335 points to 0.