Beginning of March signals the beginning of the Middlesex County Festivals for mini rugby. Six age groups participate in multi–team age group festivals over three weekends. Hampstead have done well in the past few seasons, but never have they started so powerfully as they did at the weekend.

The u7s warmed up for Sunday’s county event, by taking part in the Saracens festival on Saturday, which preluded Sarries match v Northampton Saints. Having come through a qualifying tournament a couple of months ago, the u7s won their group stage, only to be pipped in the semi finals by eventual winners, Rosslyn Park.

Bouncing back from disappointment, two squads assembled on Sunday at Teddington and cantered through proceedings, with the development team winning the plate, and the advanced squad making it through to the final of the main competition, where they played Old Grammarians. The two teams could not be separated after extra time, so both were awarded the honour of Middlesex RFU winners.

The u8s were competing over at Chiswick, and like their u7s counterparts, had two teams competing. The development team, after an initial mix up whether they were officially entered or not, played six matches and won the lot and walked away as shield winners. While in the main competition, the advanced squad matched their efforts, beating a strong Rosslyn Park side in the final to be crowned tournament winners.