Ealing Trailfinders – home of Betfred Super League outfit London Broncos – recently held the 2019 London Primary Rugby League Festival and London Junior League Grand Finals.
Over 100 players between the ages of seven and 12 took part in the London Primary Rugby League Festival while Grand Final titles went to Hemel Stags U13s, Bromley Bengals U14s and Invicta Panthers U16s.
🙌 Today Ealing Trailfinders - home of @LondonBroncosRL - is hosting the London Primary Rugby League Festival and London Junior League Grand Finals!
— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) July 20, 2019
Over 1ï¸âƒ£0ï¸âƒ£0ï¸âƒ£ U7s - U12s took part in the Festival! ðŸ‘
👇 Follow thread for more... pic.twitter.com/n0BCgXogKo
The RFL’s London and South Regional Manager, Steve Guan, said: “Saturday was a great reflection of the 2019 season and the work that clubs, players, volunteers and the League’s Management Group all put into the game in the region.
“It was pleasing to see 11 clubs involved on the day and being part of the biggest day of the season.
“Playing numbers have seen a healthy increase in both Primary and Junior teams across the region in 2019 which is testament to the work done by the volunteers involved at the club environments that they create.
“Having London Broncos hosting and supporting the day gave all those involved an extra incentive, especially after having the opportunity to watch their team run before the festivities got underway.
“London Broncos players were present throughout the whole day and were on hand to help with presentations. The fact they went on to beat St Helens the following day rounded off a great Rugby League weekend for the region.”
The Primary Rugby League Festival opened proceedings with over 100 kids from six age groups playing on the Ealing Trailfinders pitch with Eastern Rhinos, Brixton Bulls, Hemel Stags and Finn Banister, of the Brentwood Eels, being awarded Fair Play Awards.
The London Primary and Junior Rugby League Chair, Philippa Robson, said: “It was fantastic to see so many kids playing primary Rugby League at the London Broncos festival on Saturday. It was a great end to the primary season with over 100 kids involved.
“The Grand Finals day was a huge success and all the finals were highly competitive with some great Rugby League – a great end to a successful 2019 season.
“It was great having London Broncos involved on the day with players picking Player of the Match awards and watching the talent that is coming through the London system.”
Fantastic day @LondonBroncosRL with @londonpjl . Congratulations to everyone who took part today and to the 3ï¸âƒ£ Grand final winners. @HemelStagsRL Bromley Bengals and @InvictaPanthers #rugbyinlondon pic.twitter.com/UMKkaRXWWl
— London Broncos (@LondonBroncosRL) July 20, 2019
Hemel Stags U13s earned a 42-18 victory over Rutlish Raiders to claim the U13s Grand Final with Player of the Match Mason Cameron-Hart scoring a hat-trick.
Bromley Bengals took the U14s Grand Final with a 28-0 win against Elmbridge Rugby League with James Rushton being handed the Player of the Match award.
The final Grand Final went the way of the Invicta Panthers who edged out Hemel Stags 18-10 with Bill Leylands being awarded the Player of the Match.
Paula Leyland, Invicta Panthers U16s Head Coach, said: “Invicta Panthers would like to thank London Rugby League for a superbly run Finals Day.
“It was great for the players to experience the excellent surroundings at the home of London Broncos and it was all the more special by the presence of a number of the London Broncos first team who presented the trophies and medals.”
