Hampstead’s young stars secure four trophies in Middlesex County Championships

Hampstead's Under-12s (left) prepare to scrum down (Image: Archant)

The club fielded two Under-sevens and two Under-eights sides on March 8 and all four of them reached their respective semi-finals, with the Under-eight B team contesting the final with Rosslyn Park.

They narrowly missed out in a close-fought match, but the Under-sevens triumphed in the plate competition.

The following weekend, the Under-nines and Under-10s took to the field. A lot of the members of the Under-nine B side were experiencing their first taste of competitive rugby, reaching the semi-final of the bowl tournament before being beaten.

Meanwhile, the A team smashed their way through the rounds to set up a final against Teddington, which went to extra time and was decided at the death as Teddington scored a last-gasp try.

Hampstead’s Under-10s teams very nearly set up a final against each other and, although the B team fell just short in the final, the A team won the shield competition.

The Under-11s and Under-12s had a lot to live up to in the third and final weekend, but they did not disappoint.

The Under-11s suffered an early setback but rallied and won the plate competition, while the Under-12s wrapped things up by securing the vase trophy, beating Enfield by four tries to one in their final.

Club chairman Simon Taylor said: “I can’t put into words how proud I am of the coaches and all the kids. Given we are only in our fifth season, to have every team reach at least a semi-final shows we must be doing something right.”

Meanwhile, Hampstead’s men’s first team went down 31-25 away against Old Merchant Taylors’ in their penultimate London North-West Division Two fixture, dropping to eighth in the table.

Dan Dimoline, Dave Corridan and Mike Redfern touched down for Hampstead but they conceded three tries in a five-minute spell before half-time, which proved to be costly.