Neyland's first part of their annual Festival of Junior Rugby took place in glorious weather recently as over 200 talented junior players served up a feast of attractive rugby for a large crowd at the Athletic Ground.

Indeed, it was considered to be one of the best starts to the festival for a number of seasons as the under 9's and under 11s from all over the county played their hearts out and showed how hard club coaches have been working on their basic skills.

Cardigan under nines got the day off to a bang as they defeated their counterparts from Crymych in a very entertaining final by two tries to nil, with Cardigan's Sion Edwards winning the player of the tournament award, under the watchful eye of referees Eirian Edwards' Keith Davies and Kim Norkett.

The under 11 final was played out by Pembroke Dock Harlequins and Tenby United, with the young Quins storming to a three tries to one victory. Damian Miller grabbed two of them to be awarded the man of the tournament, with Adrian Slade and Mark Smith reffing this section.

In the under nine section the match balls were sponsored by KO Carpets; Parry's Private Hire; Riga Cabs; Tate Refrigeration, Swansea and Reliance Security of Cardiff, whilst the under 11 section balls were sponsored by Rhyal Engineering; E & C Rewinds, Narberth and Oneida Viviers.

The canteen portakabin was sponsored by Lloyd and Pawlett Removals and Storage, of Waterston, whilst St John's Ambulance Brigade were in attendance, thanks to sponsorship from Davies Crane Hire, Carmarthen.

The main festival sponsors were Total Refinery, Milford Haven; Neyland Town Council; the RAOB Old Warrior Lodge, Neyland.

That the festival is so successful is down to the hard work of the Neyland Junior Committee Members, especially the ladies who fed everyone so well and still had time to sell the raffle tickets, so that a great day of rugby was the end product and all the matches were played in just the right spirit. Thanks were also due to Kim Norkett for his support and generous donation.