Midlands leave it late to secure Southern Regional carnival crown

• Harry Kaufman scores twice late on in winner-takes-all clash with East
• Midlands become first region to win the title twice

 

The Midlands overcame 2025 winners East to win their second Southern Regional Carnival crown on an entertaining afternoon of Rugby League at Oxford RFC, North Hinksey. Trailing by four points in a must-win, winner-takes-all encounter, the Midlands’ title hopes were saved at the death by a familiar figure – Coventry Bears forward Harry Kaufman, whose late heroics helped them secure the trophy two years ago.

The Southern Regional Carnival was founded in 2023 to provide representative Rugby League for players within the community game outside the North of England. Each September, players from community clubs across the south come together to represent their regions, with the round-robin style tournament also doubling as a selection trial for the South of England Men’s Team.

The 2026 tournament – the fourth to date – saw the return of the West regional side for the first time since the inaugural edition in 2023. They were joined by the winners of that year’s competition, London, 2024 winners the Midlands, and title holders (and 2025 champions) the East.

Over three rounds of simultaneously played games of 36 minutes, the Midlands and the East emerged as title contenders, with the destination of the trophy undecided until the final minutes. With no kicks at goal allowed, the emphasis was on teams to score tries while defending their own line.

The East headed into the final on the back of two impressive wins. Flying winger David Bofenda scored twice early on to set up an impressive 16-4 victory over the West, who had to make do with a sole Leon Atherton try in their first competitive fixture since 2023, before holding off a late London comeback to run out 12-8 winners and set up a title showdown with the Midlands.

The Midlands improved as the tournament progressed, ultimately living up to their position as pre-tournament favourites. Having battled back from 8-0 down to grab a draw with London, Harry Kaufman finishing off a free-flowing 80 metre move to secure the point, the Midlands roared into the winner-takes-all showdown with the East on the back of a six-try demolition of the West.

It was a tough but ultimately successful afternoon for the West, whose very participation was the result of a lot of hard work from many volunteers in the region. They got a warm and enthusiastic reception from players and fans alike. Head Coach Jay Woodley and his players will take a lot of heart from their efforts across the afternoon, despite finishing the carnival with a tiring 20-4 loss to a strong London side.

While that match to decide third and fourth position was being played on pitch two, the East and Midlands battled for the title on pitch one. Going into the game, the previously unbeaten East knew that a draw would be enough to secure back-to-back titles. In contrast, for the Midlands nothing less than a win would do.

It was the East who started the game the stronger od the two sides. They opened the scoring within three minutes, scrum half Eddie Atherton scampering over, before extending their lead seven minutes later thanks to David Bofenda’s fourth try of the tournament.

The Midlands roared back, second rower Finlay Holt and centre Andy Prosser crossing the whitewash to level the scores with 20 minutes played. Just two minutes later the East edged ahead once more through vice-captain Callum Dockerill, a key member of the region’s 2025 title winning squad.

With seven minutes remaining, the East remained on course to secure the title. Enter Harry Kaufman. With 29 minutes on the clock, he forced his way over from close range to level the scores. Then, with barely a minute left of the game, Kaufman showed great strength and positioning to crash over once more. The East desperately searched for a try to level the scores in the closing stages, but the Midlands held on to secure their second Southern Regional Carnival title.

It was a fairytale ending to another memorable tournament. Afterwards, the four regional head coaches named four players of the tournament – one player from each region. Midlands hero Harry Kaufman was joined on the list by Leon Atherton (West), Mix Nissenen-Li (East) and Paddy Tenant (London).

Dan Robinson, Head Coach of the Midlands, said: “The Midlands success at this year’s Southern Regional Carnival is testament to the hard work and commitment of all the players, coaches and management. All of our players were a credit to themselves and their clubs. There were a number of new faces in the squad this year and hopefully a good number will go on to represent the South of England Men’s Team over the next month.”

South of England selectors met after the carnival to discuss the merits of all 80 players on show, with a 26-man squad for forthcoming fixtures against Australia & New Zealand Exiles, Scotland Bravehearts and Wales ‘A’ due to be named in the coming days.

Kevin Rudd, South of England Men’s Team Manager, was delighted with this year’s Southern Regional Carnival and excited to see the talent on show. He said: “It was great to see so many players and leaders wanting to represent their regions and ultimately the South of England’s grassroots Rugby League communities. Thanks should go to the volunteers who unite each year to develop and put on the carnival, and to the community clubs and volunteers that support the event each September.

“Our hope is that the carnival will go from strength to strength in future to continue to create these great opportunities. There were players present representing the majority of community RL clubs in the South and the South of England Men’s Team leadership also includes representatives from each of the four regions as well as a number not attached to specific teams. Given what we saw today, the selection panel has a tough task whittling down a list of 80 players to a training squad of 26. News about that will follow in the coming days.”

 

 

RESULTS & TRY SCORERS

Round 1

London 8 – 8 Midlands

London (tries): Leighton Ball 2 (7 mins, 12 mins)

Midlands (tries): Dylan Stone (22), Harry Kaufman (24)

East 16 – 4 West

East (tries): David, Bofenda 2 (2 mins, 6 mins), Eddie Atherton (9), Joe Allison (32)

West (try): Leon Atherton (20)

 

Round 2

West 4 – 24 Midlands

West (try): Will Greenslide (14)

Midlands (tries): Andy Prosser (1 min), Jack Jonson (3), Jake Rigby (18), Josh Rogerson (22), Ochema Okereke (25), Mike Holmes (36)

London 8 – 12 East

London (tries): Charlie Whittington (20), Jon Armour (35)

East (tries): Alex Derry (6 mins), David Bofenda (12), Mike Goode (28)

 

Round 3

East 12 – 16 Midlands

East (tries): Eddie Atherton (3 mins), David Bofenda (10), Callum Dockerill (22)

Midlands (tries): Fin Holt (13 mins), Andy Prosser (20), Harry Kaufman 2 (29, 35)

West 4 – 20 London

West (try): Adam Turner (18)

London (tries): Ben McGuinness (2 mins), Ben Telfer (4), Paddy Tennant (8), Leighton Ball (15), Charlie Whittington (25)

 

PLAYERS OF THE TOURNAMENT

Harry Kaufman (Midlands), Leon Atherton (West), Max Nissenen-Li (East), Paddy Tennant (London)

 

 

 

 

 

TOP TRY SCORERS

4 – David Bofenda (East)

3 – Harry Kaufman (Midlands), Leighton Ball (London)

2  – Eddie Atherton (East), Andy Prosser (Midlands), Charlie Whittington (London)

 

TEAMS

East

Callum Dockerill (Bedford Tigers, vice-captain), David Bofenda (North Herts Crusaders), David Slater (North Herts Crusaders), Brendon Swindells (Bedford Tigers), Maquis Daly-Vidal (Bedford Tigers), Alex Derry (North Herts Crusaders), Eddie Atherton (North Herts Crusaders), Max Nissinen-Le (Bedford Tigers), Matthew Toothill (Eastern Rhinos), Will Fairhead (North Herts Crusaders), Joe Allison (Bedford Tigers, captain), Liam Schofield (Bedford Tigers), Jordan Benfield (North Herts Crusaders), Luke De Normanville (North Herts Crusaders), Sean Belbin (Elmbridge Eagles – loan), Mike Goode (Staffordshire Quantums – loan), Mike Goode (Peterborough), Matt Mossett (Medway Dragons – loan), Chris Sykes (Peterborough)

 

Midlands

Jimmy Lambert (Coventry Bears), Coryn Ward (Nottingham Outlaws), Chev Taylor (Birmingham Bulldogs), Andy Prosser (Telford Raiders)., Dylan Stone (Telford Raiders), Luke Whitby (Peterborough), Jacob Rigby (Nottingham Outlaws), Adam Talbot (Telford Raiders), Harry Kaufman (Coventry Bears), Josh Rogerson (Nottingham Outlaws), Finlay Holt (Sherwood Wolfhunt), Denham Samuels (Telford Raiders), Oscar Stone (Telford Raiders), Oli Hutton (North East Worcestershire Ravens), Chebueze Ogbonna (Birmingham Bulldogs), Mike Holmes (Birmingham Bulldogs), Uchenna Okereke (Nottingham Outlaws), Dan Horne (Birmingham Bulldogs), Jack Jonson (Sherwood Wolfhunt), Ben Foskett (Telford Raiders)

 

London

Ben Telfer (Brixton Bulls), Ollie Baptiste-Wilson (Elmbridge Eagles), Mason O’Neil (Medway Dragons), Alex Baptiste-Wilson (Elmbridge Eagles), Paddy Tennant (Elmbridge Eagles), Jason Lee (West Warriors), Luke Drummond (Elmbridge Eagles), Adam Dady (Medway Dragons), Doug Chirnside (London Chargers), Dom Stock (West Warriors), James Morrison (West Warriors), Ben McGuinness (Brixton Bulls), Charlie Whittington (London Chargers), Jon Armour (London Chargers), Leon Bird (Hammersmith Hill Hoists), Jake Cummins (Elmbridge Eagles), Sonny Kelly (Elmbridge Eagles), Tyler Long (Hemel Stags), Leighton Ball (West Warriors), Michael Kasa (Brixton Bulls).

 

West

Alex Onyehasi (All Golds), Leon Atherton (All Golds), Lewis Wilkinson (University of Gloucester RL), Jamie Hamilton (Swindon St George), Will Greenslide (Melksham), Darryl Thompson (Bath RL Old Boys), Connor Massey (unattached), Alfie Bowers (Swindon St George), Adam Turner (All Golds), Keiron Jackson (All Golds), Chris Vickers (British Army RL), Luke Davies (All Golds), Rob Davies (All Golds), Vitali Stadnyk (University of Gloucester RL), Henry May (Bath RL Old Boys), Will Armour (London Chargers – loan), Matty Ashcroft (Brixton Bulls – loan), Ugo Onyeji (Brixton Bulls – loan)

 

By Matt Anniss