SLOUGH Rugby Club were joined by 650 boys and girls plus their families for a celebration of kids first rugby a the 2019 Wynford Phillips Festival.

The Greenies welcomed 12 teams to play in under 7-12 age groups as well as St Bernard’s Prep, who were attending for the first time.

In good kids first form, a number of mixed teams were created on the day so that more children got additional playing time.

Pools were kept small and games were managed by the coaches of participating teams to ensure that players had the best experience possible.

Slough U7s had a great day of tag rugby matches against teams from Bracknell, Hillingdon Abbots, Richmond and Rams.

The U9s made a slow start to their matches however made big improvements in play as their confidence grew throughout the Festival. Caleb Donohoe, Cody Walters, Hector Madumere and Harvey Hitchings-Goswell were on the scoresheet for the young Greenies.

The small group of U10s formed a baa baa team with Rams to give them some valuable match experience.

The Slough and Farnham Royals U12s baa baa team had an enjoyable time playing against friends, old and new, from Weybridge, Rams, Bracknell and Hillingdon Abbots.

Martin Tilby is the Youth Chairman at Slough and said: “The Wynford Phillips Youth Festival is back with a bang. It was great to see so many players, parents and coaches enjoying the rugby with smiles on their faces, and the weather was an added bonus.

“The Wynford Phillips Youth festival is truly about kids first rugby.

“Feedback from visiting teams has been extremely positive so far with many comments about how well run the event was.

“This couldn’t have happened without the hard work of our volunteers. It’s they who make these events run smoothly and successfully, so thank you to everyone whether helping in the kitchen, bar, car parking, first aid or in other areas, and to all of the coaches and referees.”

Teams that attended the Wynford Phillips festival were: Slough, Farnham Royal, Bracknell, Rams, Richmond, Pinner, Hillingdon Abbots, Chinnor, St Bernard’s Prep, Reading, Alton, Twickenham and Weybridge Vandals.