Well the contrast in the weather couldn't be any more different than the previous week, as we played the tournament in beautiful, warm sunshine. With a 'Boars' squad of 8 players, we were keen to go one better than our 'Runners Up' position last year, but with a mixed performance in our first match at Droitwich the previous week, I was unsure if we could rise to the occasion.

5 matches to be played in a league system. Old Sills (last years' winners) were the ones to beat, but there were no pushovers with any of the opposition - Lichfield, Old Sills, Rugby Lions, Birmingham Solihull and Stratford.

We started nervously but turned the game against Lichfield to win 4-2. The holders and hosts were next and a 1-0 deficit at half time was reversed to win a tight and crucial game, 2-1. Rugby Lions saw the players just starting to get into their stride with a 5-2 victory and Birmingham Solihull took the full force of the players' skills with an 8-2 victory that looks from the scoreline as though it was an easy win, but the victory was achieved through sheer skill, determination and self-belief and was a hard fought win.

The win made it 4 out of 4. A draw would be sufficient in the last game to get us through, but Stratford had beaten some good teams and drawn with Old Sills - if they sneaked a win and Sills won, it would be come down to tries. The players were tired - they had already played 4 hard games in the heat and with only a small squad, it was taking its toll. There had been a few injuries (despite it being a non-contact sport!), but tears were pushed aside as adrenaline and belief pushed them forward. 5 minutes each way doesn't sound very much, but it's constant. In full contact rugby, you get a rest when the ball goes dead. In Tag Rugby, it's virtually continuous. Having reffereed 4 matches, I was more exhausted than playing on a Saturday - give me 15-a-side rugby any day!

So we entered the last match with nerves on edge - the coaches' and the parents' that is! I think that the players just knew what they had to do. It was the best rugby that I have ever seen the team play. They controlled the game. They dominated it. They bossed it! Stratford didn't know what hit them. Each Stratford ball carrier was surrounded by 3 Boars' taggers. The speed that the team tagged, returned the tag and ran to cover the next line of attack was just amazing. All the hard work from last year and the frustrations of the last year's end-of-year Stratford Tournament (don't start me on that one...Droitwich refereeing...) were encompassed in this last game. Free-flowing rugby, aggressive tagging, natural swerving and side-stepping, quick passing to hand, intelligent positioning - the Boars had it all. An 8-3 victory was justly deserved.

The players were delighted - but I still don't think that they realise just how well they actually played - it just came naturally to them. There was no one player who dominated the team - that's exactly what it was - a team. It's what we have been striving for for the last 2 years. The matruity was there for all to see.

The parents (and grandparents) were delighted and proud - justifiably so - both of their own youngsters and of the team as a whole.

But the coaches - Andy, who stayed with them on the pitch, Luke who helped to coach them all of last season and yours truly, were lost for words. Yes, I know that you can't believe that with me, but if someone had hugged me at the final whistle (thanks ladies...) then I would have broken down in girly tears! I'd lost my voice and couldn't find enough words to say how proud I was of the team - of how they played, the style and sheer effort - and of course, the fact that they won. 5 wins in 5 games was just amazing.

So the team collected the trophy and put the tournament to bed. A wonderful occasion for all, but to the players...well done and so well deserved!

Our 2nd match of the season and we welcomed Bredon to Finstall Park.

With more young players comingthrough the ranks, it was good to get everyone involved in some competitive games. With pretty much full attendance, we were able to filed 4 sides and decided to 'blood' a few of the new players in the Bears side.

4 matches, 2 wins and 2 losses, with, to be honest, the better rugby coming from the least experienced players - well done!

The Boars pipped Bredon 3-2 with tries from Zach, Holly and a last gasp effort from the the nippy Jacob who saved our blushes.

The other teams produced some nice rugby with tries from Ban 'The Shark' Payne, the ever improving JJ (2), James (2) making  a good comeback, Joseph, Joshua, Tom and a maiden try from one of our new maidens - Olivia Blower. And on this form if the 2 Olivias can follow in the footsteps of Holly, then we will see some good rugby ahead of us!

Good effort all round and despite it being so early in the season, some of the training is really starting to pay off.