Falcons Community Foundation’s Guinness Book of Record attempt just fell short, but Durham’s goal was secured when the U8’s took the title of Falcons TAG Festival Champions for 2010 on Sunday.

Under 7’s led by experienced Sam Pashley and the speedy Grace McGlone and James MacLaurin came up against a very strong Carlisle team that had been undefeated all season in the tournament opener, followed by an equally tough challenge of Northern and Westoe the eventual winners. Success came in the last game for the U7’s when they defeated Seghill by 3 tries to 1 completing the day in fourth position of their very strong Group.

First up for the 8’s was Carlisle, undefeated all season in Cumbria the Durham boys had to dig deep to recover from being 1 down, finishing the first game strongly with 3 tries. Two further 3 -1 wins and a 3 nil in the final Group game against Ponteland took the blue and gold boys into the Quarter Finals where they dispatched Tynedale B 5 nil to take their place in the semi final, one game away from playing in front of over 7000 Guinness Premiership fans at Kingston Park the home of the Falcons.

Morpeth arrived into the semi-final with a straight win record and an impressive never been defeated seasonal record. Morpeth took to the field as the “bigger looking team”, but it was the speedier and committed boys of Durham that took first strike; Owen Thomas’ double TAG turnover paved the way for Johnny Bushnell to out sprint the Northumberland defensive line then dogged defence from Tom Hetherington, James Bowman and Jared Warby, preceded the clever quick scores from Owen Thomas and Max Blackbourne.

As the present Rugby heroes walked off for half time tactics and refreshment the future rugby stars took to the stage. 7,735 Kingston Park fans were braced for “real TAG rugby!” Durham’s final opponents were the well organised Sunderland team who themselves had arrived into the final impressively having not conceded a try all day. A nerveless start for the Durham boys as they opened the scoring with a Will Smith pick up and try in the corner. A double TAG turnover by Max Blackbourne returned the initiative to Durham and Owen Thomas took full advantage with a forceful run and touchdown. Sunderland came back strong with a try of their own, but with the next play an unfortunate fumble on the line and a missed try opportunity did not disheartened the boys. Another double TAG, this time Johnny Bushnell returned the ball to Durham. The play of the day was saved for Tom Hetherington who made a last gasp flying double TAG to prevent Sunderland’s flying centre touching down. The return play saw Niall Butler latch onto a long pass from Tom Hetherington, sprinting through the Sunderland defensive line to score in the corner for the third try. John Berriman, Nicholas Marsden and Jared Warby came onto the field to bolster the tiring legs of Durham and help the team secure the championship trophy for the Durham boys.

DCRFC 7’s: Andrew Calver, Sam Hanson, Alex Lythgoe, James MacLaurin, Grace McGlone, Sam Pashley, Jarred Riley, Daniel Silvester, Owen Taylor-Elliott, Zac Welsh,
Record: Played 4, won 1, lost 3; try scorers Sam Pashley (2), Grace McGlone (2), Alex Lythgoe and James MacLaurin (2).

DCRFC 8’s: John Berriman, Max Blackbourne, James Bowman, Johnny Bushnell, Niall Butler, Tom Hetherington, Nicholas Marsden, Will Smith, Owen Thomas, Jared Warby
Played 7 Won 7, Tries scored 23 Tries against 4. Tries Scored by Johnny Bushnell (7), Owen Thomas (6), Max Blackbourne (3), Niall Butler (2), Tom Hetherington (2), Will Smith (2), Jared Warby (1).

Footnote:
Newcastle Falcons attempt on the Guinness Book of Records was topped over the weekend by a 90 team event in America. The Kingston Park event had a combined number of 57 teams taking part in the U8 & U7’s mini rugby TAG event – Commonwealth Record

Clips of the final on
http://www.youtube.com/user/richardbrianthomas?feature=mhw4

Sunderland U7's & U8's TAG Tournament.

Captain John Berriman lifted the Sunderland TAG title for the victorious Durham City U8's team, a 25-10 victory against Bishop Auckland completed a day of outstanding rugby with a total of 30 tries from the City boys.

Earlier in the day Durham enjoyed hard fought victories against Horden, West Hartlepool, Yarm and hosts Sunderland, scoring 25 tries as they topped their group with four out of four victories.

Top try scorer for the day was Owen Thomas with 8 forceful tries, while newcomer Johnny Bushnell equalled Max Blackbourne's five tries, with the City boys adding to the try count, Niall Butler (3), James Bowman (3), Tom Hetherington (2), while Will Smith, Jared Warby, Robbie Fyfe and John Berriman completed the scoring.

Durham U7's first ever tournament ended in a semi-final defeat at the hands of a strong Blaydon team, who unfortunately scored the all important "Golden Try" in a game that finished 20-20 in normal time with a "last move" try from debutant Will Bland.

Hard fought victories against Yarm and Sunderland in the opening two group games, saw Durham top their group with an outstanding contribution of 11 tries from James McLauren with Grace McGlone (2) Sam Pashley (2), Zac Welch and Will Bland adding to the try count.

Squad:- John Berriman, Niall Butler, Max Blackbourne, Tom Hetherington, William Smith, Owen Thomas, James Bowman and new boys Johnny Bushnall, Jared Warby

Sunday saw our first 'U8s' game of the season. The conditions were perfect, bright and sunny and the boys were raring to go. We had 3 warm up sessions to get us into the mood.....and boy what a mood we were in! We played really well during all of these warm up sessions against a keen Westoe squad.

In the main game the boys stepped up to the plate and Max scored a try within the first minute. Excellent tagging from Durham throughout from Niall, Will, James and new boys Jared and Johnny Bushnall. A further 4 tries from Max, Owen (2) and James followed, but Westoe remained keen, scoring their try just before half time

All the training and practice of encouraging more passing seemed to be taken on board. Some good support work from Tom, Johnny and John helped us end the first half 25-5

The second half again saw Durham easing into the groove straight from the whistle. The boys grew more in confidence and this encouraged some fantastic tagging from all the boys. 5 tries (Max(2),Owen(2) and Tom) followed in quick succession resulting in a 50-5 win to Durham.

A great start to the season, ending with smiles all round. Sunderland Tag festival here we come!