Latest news with #PapaJohnsCommunityCupFinal
South Wales Guardian
20-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Ladies coach jubilant after watching his side win cup
And with Thurrock having triumphed in last year's Women's Junior Cup, Steward was delighted to see his side lift yet another trophy on the hallowed Twickenham turf. 'It was a fantastic game,' he said. 'Sefton brought absolute power and physicality to our game but we didn't back down and we got it. We've now won it for the second year in a row and words can't describe how happy I am right now to do it at HQ. 'Can we do it three years in a row? I don't know but we can always dream. 'Today was incredible, the girls deserve everything. They give 110-150 per cent every Wednesday and Sunday and some of the ladies travel from near and far so for them it's incredible. 'Rosie [Bennett] has had a really tough season this year with injuries so for her to get on after having a scare on Wednesday to score a second try at Twickenham after doing it last year is unbelievable for her.' The Papa Johns Community Cup is a year-long festival of community rugby and was part of the season restructure in 2023, where player feedback indicated a preference to condense the league season and create a cup competition after the regular league season had ended. Through the Papa Johns Community Cup, many clubs were able to play different opposition and visit new places, while others reignited old local rivalries, all making plenty of memories along the way. Steward added: 'Even as a Welshman, to lead your team out at HQ and one of the best stadiums in the world is a dream come true. It would be better if it was at a Welsh stadium! 'Just seeing outside how there were hundreds and hundreds of fans from different clubs coming together to support their local grassroots teams was unbelievable. 'They've brought everything to make it an incredible day.' For a round up of all the Papa Johns Community Cup Final action and to watch the games back follow @RFU on X or search for #PapaJohnsCommunityCup
Leader Live
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Ladies coach jubilant after watching his side win cup
And with Thurrock having triumphed in last year's Women's Junior Cup, Steward was delighted to see his side lift yet another trophy on the hallowed Twickenham turf. 'It was a fantastic game,' he said. 'Sefton brought absolute power and physicality to our game but we didn't back down and we got it. We've now won it for the second year in a row and words can't describe how happy I am right now to do it at HQ. 'Can we do it three years in a row? I don't know but we can always dream. 'Today was incredible, the girls deserve everything. They give 110-150 per cent every Wednesday and Sunday and some of the ladies travel from near and far so for them it's incredible. 'Rosie [Bennett] has had a really tough season this year with injuries so for her to get on after having a scare on Wednesday to score a second try at Twickenham after doing it last year is unbelievable for her.' The Papa Johns Community Cup is a year-long festival of community rugby and was part of the season restructure in 2023, where player feedback indicated a preference to condense the league season and create a cup competition after the regular league season had ended. Through the Papa Johns Community Cup, many clubs were able to play different opposition and visit new places, while others reignited old local rivalries, all making plenty of memories along the way. Steward added: 'Even as a Welshman, to lead your team out at HQ and one of the best stadiums in the world is a dream come true. It would be better if it was at a Welsh stadium! 'Just seeing outside how there were hundreds and hundreds of fans from different clubs coming together to support their local grassroots teams was unbelievable. 'They've brought everything to make it an incredible day.' For a round up of all the Papa Johns Community Cup Final action and to watch the games back follow @RFU on X or search for #PapaJohnsCommunityCup
South Wales Guardian
20-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Parker proud of players despite Twickenham defeat
The Cheltenham-based side gave a valiant account of themselves at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, but despite tries from Jack Davies, skipper Ben Hawker and John Bryant, could never fully take control of the encounter. Speaking at full time, Parker could not fault the effort of his players and spoke of his immense pride that his team reached the final. 'I am feeling mixed,' he said. 'Gutted of course because it is a big day for the club, but we have had a lot of big games this season. 'It just felt like one game too many for us today. We did not quite have the energy. 'We definitely tried our hardest, so even though I am really disappointed, I am also immensely proud of what we have done today.' Old Elthamians' Reis Norman broke the deadlock inside the opening 10 minutes as the No. 8 burst over the tryline off the back of a scrum. Smiths responded midway through the first 40 minutes as Davies was found in acres of space on the left wing and made no mistake when he dotted down. Old Elthamians retook the lead soon after however, when Matthew Chick went over from close-range to give his team the lead at half time. Luca Petrozzi's quick tap-and-go allowed him to extend Old Elthamians' advantage two minutes into the second period, with fly half Joe Leigh making it a hat-trick of successful conversions. Smiths reduced their arrears through captain Hawker's converted effort to leave the score 21-14 with approximately half an hour left to play. But tries from Cam Hancock and Ben Adamson put the game beyond doubt, with Bryant's score late on little more than a consolation for Smiths. Parker hopes this year's cup run can act as a springboard for next season but wants his players to enjoy a well-earned rest before that .'I want to go and lie down for a bit and regroup,' he smiled. 'It has been a tough season, and we have had a very good cup campaign. 'We need to let everyone switch off from rugby over the summer, and then hopefully this puts us on the map, and we keep rising up through the ranks.' For a round up of all the Papa Johns Community Cup Final action and to watch the games back follow @RFU on X or search for #PapaJohnsCommunityCup
South Wales Argus
20-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Parker proud of players despite Twickenham defeat
The Cheltenham-based side gave a valiant account of themselves at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, but despite tries from Jack Davies, skipper Ben Hawker and John Bryant, could never fully take control of the encounter. Speaking at full time, Parker could not fault the effort of his players and spoke of his immense pride that his team reached the final. 'I am feeling mixed,' he said. 'Gutted of course because it is a big day for the club, but we have had a lot of big games this season. 'It just felt like one game too many for us today. We did not quite have the energy. 'We definitely tried our hardest, so even though I am really disappointed, I am also immensely proud of what we have done today.' Old Elthamians' Reis Norman broke the deadlock inside the opening 10 minutes as the No. 8 burst over the tryline off the back of a scrum. Smiths responded midway through the first 40 minutes as Davies was found in acres of space on the left wing and made no mistake when he dotted down. Old Elthamians retook the lead soon after however, when Matthew Chick went over from close-range to give his team the lead at half time. Luca Petrozzi's quick tap-and-go allowed him to extend Old Elthamians' advantage two minutes into the second period, with fly half Joe Leigh making it a hat-trick of successful conversions. Smiths reduced their arrears through captain Hawker's converted effort to leave the score 21-14 with approximately half an hour left to play. But tries from Cam Hancock and Ben Adamson put the game beyond doubt, with Bryant's score late on little more than a consolation for Smiths. Parker hopes this year's cup run can act as a springboard for next season but wants his players to enjoy a well-earned rest before that .'I want to go and lie down for a bit and regroup,' he smiled. 'It has been a tough season, and we have had a very good cup campaign. 'We need to let everyone switch off from rugby over the summer, and then hopefully this puts us on the map, and we keep rising up through the ranks.' For a round up of all the Papa Johns Community Cup Final action and to watch the games back follow @RFU on X or search for #PapaJohnsCommunityCup
South Wales Argus
20-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Topsham praise unwavering belief after taking regional rugby title
The men from Devon's late three-try rally was enough to earn them a 47-26 win against Lutterworth in a pulsating encounter in the southwest London sunshine. Both sides traded blows throughout the match but Bovingdon, who has been at the helm for six years, knew his outfit had what it took to come out on top. 'It was not easy out there today,' he said. 'Lutterworth pushed us all the way, so huge credit to the way they performed but to get the win, it feels euphoric. 'We said at the start of the game that Lutterworth would have a purple patch and come at us, and they did. 'We just stuck with our principles and that belief has been with us all season. 'The result of which is now we are champions.' (Image: RFU) After a scoreless opening 15 minutes, converted tries from Topsham's Robin Edbrooke and Erin Inglis gave their side a 14-0 advantage. Lutterworth's Justin Trombas responded when he burst down the right wing and stretched over before Kieran Hussey finished off a fine move down the left, with Harry Read's conversion leaving the score 14-12 going into the break. When the match resumed, Austin Crow edged Topsham seven points ahead, but Joe Latham's converted score levelled proceedings at 19-19. The back-and-forth nature of the game continued, and Joe Cave put Topsham ahead again when he pounced on a speculative kick that landed behind the tryline. Lutterworth hit back through Trombas' second score, with Read slotting home a difficult kick, as the two teams once again found themselves level-pegging with 15 minutes left on the clock. As the game entered its final stages, Topsham were finally able to put the game to bed through Cave's second try, Shane O'Hanrahan's spectacular effort and Max Hammond's last-minute score. Amongst those in attendance at the Home of Rugby were hundreds of Topsham supporters and Bovingdon could not speak highly enough of his team's fans. He added: 'That crowd was amazing. They created a great atmosphere, and it was special that so many family members were here today.' For a round up of all the Papa Johns Community Cup Final action and to watch the games back follow @RFU on X or search for #PapaJohnsCommunityCup
