Sunny weather gave a big lift to Baildon Rugby Union Club's youth festival which featured almost 250 players.

The club, adjacent to Baildon Moor, is noted as being one of the colder spots from which to watch sport in the Bradford area.

"The weather has been a bit of an issue in recent years," said the club's junior and youth rugby co-ordinator Mick Massey of the Baildon Mini Festival of Rugby.

"Unfortunately, it has always been cold, wet and muddy, and it doesn't help with the wind blowing across the pitches.

"But it has never dampened the spirits of the players taking part in the festival, nor the coaches nor supporters."

However, the elements, as forecasted, gave Mr Massey and his co-workers a big boost in Sunday's festival.

Almost 250 players took part in total from the five competing clubs - Keighley, Skipton, West Park Leeds, Wharfedale and the hosts - in ages ranging from six to 12.

The under-sevens teams were Wharfedale A, Wharfedale B, Skipton, Skipton A and Keighley, with Keighley winning the event and Skipton A coming second.

Wharfedale also entered two teams in the under-nine age group, the quartet being completed by Baildon and Skipton. Here the winners were Wharfedale A and the runners-up Skipton.

All five clubs had an entry in the under-tens, with Wharfedale taking the spoils from West Park Leeds. Wharfedale also proved top dogs at under-12 level, where Baildon were the second-placed team.

The sunny weather meant that conditions were beautiful for the afternoon, and that led to some excellent rugby in all the age groups. There were running, kicking and handling skills aplenty, and the players showed confidence and strength when they had to tackle an opponent.

In addition, the matches were played in the right spirit.

And that camaraderie was not spoiled by happenings on the touchline either as support from parents and friends of each team never got beyond the bounds of decency.

Their sportsmanship towards other teams was also commendable,and in addition the standard of refereeing was fair and also allowed the matches to be played in safety.

However, not every injury or incident can be foreseen and as part of Baildon RUFC's commitment to the welfare of the children, St John Ambulance workers were there.

Fortunately, there was never more than the odd graze or bump to deal with and all the injuries sustained were minor. All the players, apart from being given a packed lunch, were presented with a certificate.

And the winners and runners-up in each age group received medals, with the winning team also getting a trophy from Alan Barraclough (AB Fire Training), who were sponsors of the tournament. The festival was first held in 1983 and next year will be the 25th.

However, Baildon are in need of more players for their mini, junior and youth section. Children need to be between six and 16 - Baildon want to start an under-sevens team - and Mr Massey can be contacted on 07868 756708 or by e-mail to: mmassey@ emerald insight.com

  • Click here for more pictures from the festival