Hemel Town got off to a disappointing start to the Calor League Premier Division campaign as they were brushed aside by Hitchin Town in a 2-0 defeat.

The Tudors go into the season as one of the favourites for the title – but they were distinctly second best on Saturday against a Hitchin side who had been expected to struggle.

After string of less than impressive friendly results, new Hitchin manager Mark Burke a winning league start, while Tudors boss Dean Brennan will expect much more from his side who has looked on good form in pre-season.

On-loan forward Jamal Lowe could have given Hitchin a sixth-minute lead when he raced through on goal but he prodded his effort narrowly wide.

Callum Donnelly also went close for the hosts after he was teed-up by Lewis Rolfe and saw his effort pushed round the post by new Hemel keeper Laurie Walker.

Hitchin were well on top and took a deserved lead in the 24th minute when Simon Martin laid the ball off to Burns and he fired home from 10 yards out.

It was not until very late in the first half that the Tudors threatened the Hitchin goal, when a long range effort from newboy Ollie Thorne was fumbled by Hitchin stopper Martin Bennett.

Brennan would have been looking for a response from his lucklustre Tudors after half-time, but it was Hitchin who continued to dominate after the break and Martin blasted an effort into the side netting.

Martin also tested Walker in the 66th minute with a shot from the edge of the area that was pushed away by the busy keeper.

Hemel were still struggling to break through a resolute Hitchin defence and a last-ditch challenge by Stuart Pearson came to the rescue as Hemel substitute Charlie Mpi prepared to shoot.

But it was Hitchin who struck next to score the all-important second goal and put the result beyond doubt.

The goal came in the 79th minute in bizarre fashion, as Martin and Hemel defender Moussa Diarra went in for a tackle – with the ball looping up into the air and spinning kindly to give Martin a tap-in.

The impressive Walker was then forced into a couple of decent saves to keep the scoreline down, before Hemel skipper Jordan Parkes hit the post with a free-kick late-on.

Certainly not the start the Tudors faithful was craving, but there is plenty of time for Brennan and his men to turn things around – starting with a home clash against Corby Town tomorrow night. 7.45pm k/o at Vauxhall Road.

A depleted Kings Langley Ladies side – missing a number of players through injury and unavailability – made City Belles work hard for their 6-1 win.

Starting a player short and with Jade North deputising in goal, Kings weathered an early barrage before the taking the lead after 17 minutes.

A slick passing move involving Kim Nield saw the ball fed through to Nicole Barrett, who buried it past the keeper.

City levelled within a couple of minutes, before taking the lead with 25 minutes on the clock.

Kings kept in the contest, however, and Mary Hogan saw her thunderous effort on the half-hour put over for a corner.

North and the defence were kept busy but held the deficit down to just one goal at the interval.

After the restart, the home side grabbed another goal before a good spell of pressure from Kings – the City keeper denying Mary Hogan with a decent save when a goal looked certain.

North continued to frustrate the home attackers – stopping several shots on goal – before the home side grabbing three further goals in the last quarter of the game.

Kings are on the hunt for players, and ladies of all experience and ability are welcome. Training is currently held on Tuesday evenings from 7.30pm to 8.30pm at Pennine Way, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 5UD.

For further information, please visit www.kllfc.co.uk or contact Chris Walker on 07833 603472 or at chrisw@kllfc.co.uk

It was party time at Herts Baseball Club on Sunday as the Falcons swept the Essex Redbacks to seal a first National Baseball League title in the club’s history.

They will now be desperate to now go on and convert the favourable post-season seeding into a first ever top-tier national title.

Sunday’s victory was secured courtesy of another no-hitter from pitcher Ryan Bird.

This rare feat of preventing the opponents from amassing a single hit in the game is something he also achieved the previous weekend.

Bird and the rest of the Falcons will be eager to carry their incredible form into the weekend of September 14, when the national title will be decided at Farnham Park, near Slough.

They are hoping for a large contingent of Herts fans at the finals and are urging people to go along and cheer the Falcons on.

In the third tier, meanwhile, the Hawks were also celebrating an excellent victory.

Their dramatic 13-12 fight-back win over the Kent Mariners means that they leapfrog Daws Hill Spitfires and the finish regular season in fifth place in the table.

As a result, they will face the Sidewinders in the first round of the play-offs at the weekend.

Full details of the location and timings of the play-ffs will be announced on the Herts website www.hertsbaseball.com as soon as they are released.

Silver medal London Olympian Michael Jamieson inspired young swimmers when he paid a visit to Tring’s Sportspace.

Youngsters got a chance to train with him and hear about his preparation for the Olympic Games including how he coped with the nerves of competing in front of a home crowd.

He was helping out fellow Olympian Craig Gibbons at one of his hugely popular Swim Vision Clinics during the weekend, which helps club swimmers to improve their stroke technique.

Spokesman for Sportspace Hayley Hobley said: “The sessions proved very popular and all who took part in the session were given the opportunity to have photos with both Olympians and Michael’s silver medal, as well as get their autographs.”

After his visit Jamieson launched the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014 ticket application process to the world’s press on Monday.

For more information on Craig’s clinics {http://www.craiggibbons.co.uk|click here} and for details about learning to swim {http://www.sportspace.co.uk|click here} or call Sportspace on 01442 507100.

In this final instalment of Curveballs and Sliders, Herts Baseball Club’s Joe Gray briefly explores what the future of the sport might look like.

In recent years, Major League Baseball’s motivation to globalise the sport has been unparalleled. The ease with which a truly international audience can now be entertained, thanks to high-speed internet connections, has certainly helped.

And the same can be said for the success of Asian and European teams in the World Baseball Classic, the first tournament that pits in combat national teams fielding the globe’s upper echelon of players.

The recipe might not be quite right yet, but some of the vital ingredients are on the counter, and it may now only be a matter of time before Europe hosts its first Major League Baseball game.

London has been thrown around in speculative conversations on this topic – and top-level American football has been played in the capital for a successful, and ongoing run of years – but the fanbase and infrastructure would make a continental venue such as the Netherlands a more likely first stop.

Such a move would certainly help embed the sport of baseball as something international, and not just peculiar to the United States, in the psyche of the British sports fan.

It must be stated that it is unlikely that we will ever return to a level to match British baseball’s golden era of the 1930s where crowds, on occasion, crept above 10,000.

However, with a development agency that has proved itself capable of delivering on big projects, such as the new facility at Farnham Park, and a governing body showing itself to be progressive, there is certainly reason for optimism.

It might take either a hugely generous donor or a groundswell of volunteering interest to shake the minority sport tag.

Even if we don’t, though, there is a rewarding experience to be had in many different capacities for those looking for something new to become involved in.

> Joe Gray is the founder and co-ordinator of Project COBB, the home of the chronicling of British Baseball. To visit the website {http://www.projectcobb.org.uk/|click here}

A super-fit triathlete from Tring is celebrating after coming 10th in her age group in the infamous Ironman challenge – and landing a sponsorship deal with a local cycle shop.

Amy Kilpin completed the gruelling Bolton course – which included a 2.4- mile swim, an 112-mile bike ride and a marathon – in 13 hours and 18 minutes, coming 10th in the 24 to 29 age group.

Amy, 27, said: “It was a long day but I absolutely loved it. The training is the hardest part, and with 20-hour training weeks there is a lot of pressure.”

And now Lovelo Cycle Works in Berkhamsted will help Amy with the progression of her triathlete career by providing bike maintenance and kit.

Owner Tim Warrell said: “It’s really important for us to promote women’s cycling and Amy will definitely help raise the profile of it.

“We look forward to working with her to help her develop her triathlon career and to promote Lovelo in the process.”

Amy, who hopes to qualify for the triathlon championship next year, said: ““Lovelo has been instrumental in their support of my bike maintenance and I look forward to developing the partnership into next season, helping to develop more awareness of what a great local bike shop it is.”

Hemel Hempstead Town bounced back with a bang on Tuesday night as they put six past Corby Town at Vauxhall Road to get their Calor League Southern Premier Division campaign up-and-running.

After a disappointing opening day defeat to Hitchin on Saturday, Tudors boss Dean Brennan would have been looking for a response from his side in front of their home fans – and he got just that.

The Tudors were in control throughout the game and took the lead after just two minutes when Lewis Toomey coolly slotted home to put his side in front.

The Tudors did not have to wait long for their second, Toomey side-footing the ball into the net shortly after the 10-minute mark to double his and his side’s tally.

Brennan’s men were bossing things – with skipper Jordan Parkes orchestrating proceedings from midfield – and the former Barnet man made it 3-0 before half-time with a cross that floated in at the far post.

Clearly hungry for goals, it was only a matter of time before Hemel added the fourth, and it duly arrived courtesy of a thunderbolt dipping half-volley from marauding right-back David King.

The Tudors were not done there, though, and Parkes made it five from the penalty spot, before substitute Charlie Mpi headed home the sixth in stoppage time to the delight of the Tudor faithful.

Next up for Hemel is a home clash with Hungerford Town on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.

Hemel Hempstead tennis prospect Amelia Campbell picked up some valuable tips and advice as she joined former British number one Tim Henman at the HSBC Road to Wimbledon National 14 and Under Challenge Finals.

The competition is the UK’s largest national junior grass court tournament and forms part of HSBC’s investment in the stars of the future.

And 14-year-old John F Kennedy School pupil Amelia – who qualified for Wimbledon after winning the Hertfordshire County Final – made it through to the second round of the girls’ doubles with partner Mizuki Sakurai.

The pair met their match in Esther Adeshina and Megan Hopton however, exiting the competition following a 1-6, 6-1 defeat after a nailbiting 10-7 tiebreak loss.

But the Langley Tennis Club star insisted that despite the defeat, arriving as a player at the All England Lawn Tennis Club this year was easily the highlight of her summer.

“Playing at Wimbledon makes me feel one step closer to being a professional and one day I hope to get to play here as one,” said Amelia, who also made the knockout stages of the singles competition after two victories in her group.

“It was amazing to play on Court 19 and it was good to have people watching and cheering you on.”

Four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist Henman – an ambassador for HSBC – added: “Wimbledon is the best tennis tournament in the world and it is a huge motivating factor for all the kids,”

Kings Langley 3
 Broxbourne Borough 1

Kings Langley continued their impressive start to the season with victory over Broxbourne Borough at Gaywood Park

With both sides boasting a 100 per cent record going into the game, Kings got off to the better start and were 2-0 up inside 20 minutes.

First, Ritchie Hanlon latched on to a Sam Warrell through-ball to score, before Connor Toomey’s low cross eluded everybody but the predatory Jack Johnson.

Borough hit straight back, though, as Sean Bonnett-Johnson scored from a tight angle.

The game was being played at a relentless pace and, although it flowed from end to end, it was Kings who were more relieved to hear the half time whistle after Hussein Isa had hit a post.

The opening ten minutes of the second half saw the home side slow the pace of the game a little and, when Johnson timed his run perfectly, was felled by Borough keeper Allan Buck and saw the ball roll into the net, the referee pointed to the spot.

The resulting penalty by Gary Connolly was saved by Buck, but Connolly atoned two minutes later as his through-ball saw Adam Hallissey’s shot spin off Buck before Warrell put in the rebound.

Borough’s frustration boiled over when Oujdi chopped down Connolly and was sent off as Kings secured the win.

Leverstock Green 1
 St Margetsbury 2

Leverstock Green were unlucky to suffer their second league defeat of the week as they were beaten by St Margaretsbury on a wet Saturday afternoon at Pancake Lane.

The visitors are one of the favourites for the MSSML Premier Division title and showed their class in the first half as they looked quicker and sharper than Dan Manzi’s Levy side.

The away side duly took the lead in the 17th minute when Green keeper David Bailey was injured in a challenge and spilled the ball, allowing Lee Roberts to slot home the rebound.

Leverstock’s first effort on goal came in the 29th minute when Connor Deadman hit a shot which went just wide.

St Margaretsbury were looking the more dangerous side, but their second goal was disappointing from a Levy point of view as Ollie Sharman got up unchallenged to head home a corner three minutes before the break.

However, the game changed early in the second half, shortly after Chad Pinching came off the bench.

Leverstock got right back into it with a goal after 61 minutes as Deadman hit a superb shot from outside the box which flew into the net.

Green pushed for an equaliser and Deadman was put through on goal to slot the ball past keeper Ben Bateman, but a defender got back to clear it off the line.

Shortly afterwards, Pinching hit a shot from the edge of the box which Bateman parried past the post.

And the visiting keeper saved his side again as Junior Bushiri hit a shot which was heading for the net until Bateman flew through the air to claw it away with one hand.

Bushiri went close again after 76 minutes with a shot that went just wide after taking a slight deflection off a defender’s boot, and seven minutes from time there was another chance as Adiel Mannion was momentarily clean through on goal, but delayed his shot too long and saw the ball cleared.

It was a day of drama and excitement at the Little Hay Ladies Invitation Day.

The pairs better-ball Stableford competition produced excellent scores – however these were outshone by two sparkling individual achievements.

Little Hay’s Nicola Goddard shot a hole in one on the 157-yard eighth hole, while Ashridge’s Julie Ivelaw-Chapman saw her second shot on the 304-yard sixth run up onto the green and drop into the hole for an eagle two.

The overall winners of the competition were Jean Dove and Ivelaw-Chapman with 50 Stableford points, ahead of runners-up Dawn Rose and Anne Seaford with 47 points and third-placed Chris Woodcock and Pam Swaham with 46 points.

The event raised £110 for Herts Air Ambulance.

Elsewhere, the Little Hay senior men won back the annual Cheshay Cup by holding Cheshunt to a 3-3 draw having beaten them on their home course earlier in the year.

John Cruickshank of Little Hay donated the cup 18 years ago and each club has won it nine times.

Elsewhere, the summer events for juniors continued at Little Hay, with Will Butler winning the latest Stableford competition on countback with 40 points.

In the Junior Medal competition, Hayden Bunce triumphed with a net score of 61.

Chenna Okoh, a rising star at Dacorum & Tring Athletics Club in Hemel Hemsptead, has posted a new milestone in his growing portfolio of personal bests.

The speedster ran 51.37s in a 400m race at the Watford Open graded meeting at Woodside Stadium last week – in his first-ever official outing at the distance.

His time was fast enough to secure him the win in his race, and has bumped him up to first place in the Power of 10 British Athletics rankings at the distance for U15 boys across the UK in 2013.

Okoh, who is still only 13 years old, also ranks second in the country at the 300m and 10th in the 200m and looks set for a very bright future in athletics.

Okoh said that his training has been going “really well this year” and extended his thanks to Dacorum & Tring coach Gavin Town.

The Year 9 student at The Cavendish School has his sights on qualifying for Team GB and representing the UK in the not too distant future.

In action elsewhere, a group of 12 Dacorum & Tring Road Runners tackled the St Albans Parkrun on Saturday morning in very wet conditions.

Jamie Marlow came away with the win in a field of more than 100 runners, while club chairman John Jales also improved his personal best time by a minute to win the men’s over 70 category.

Oxhey Jets 1
 Tring Athletic 1

Athletic returned home from the Boundary Stadium with a point after being held to a draw by Oxhey Jets.

Both sides created half chances in the first 15 minutes, but Jets were unlucky not to open the scoring after 20 minutes as they saw an effort from a corner headed off the line.

Athletic had chances of their own but these were confined mainly to shots from outside the area which were dealt with comfortably by home keeper Dave Jacks.

However, it was the visitors who broke the deadlock in the 51st minute as a long ball was misjudged by a Jets defender, leaving young striker Jack Sunderland to coolly fire a low shot into the corner of the net.

In the 64th minute, Athletic’s Martin Skinner laid on a golden opportunity for Ryan Sturgess but a desperate piece of defending saw the ball hacked away for a corner.

Both teams had further chances, but it was Jets who struck next to level things up with 12 minutes left.

Athletic lost the ball on the edge of Jets’ area, and the away side broke quickly before keeper Mike Underwood brought down an Oxhey striker for a clear penalty.

Up stepped Luke Beardsworth to rifle the penalty into the corner and earn a point for his side.

More than 100 hardy competitors turned out for the 10th Ridgeway Challenge at the weekend,

The Ridgeway Challenge is an 85-mile continual running event along a 5000-year-old trackway through the Chiltern Hills and North Wessex Downs.

The route takes competitors along Grim’s Ditch for several miles, past Barbury Castle and Liddington Castle, and includes an energy-sapping 9,000 feet of ascent.

But the feat was no problem for eventual winner Dan Lawson who came home in an impressive time of 13 hours and 54 minutes – more than an hour and a half quicker than his nearest rivals.

Paul Radford was second home in a time of 15h 30m, ahead of third-placed John Millen third in 15h 41m.

Mary Grace Spalton was the first lady competitor to finish, in a time of 15h 50m.

A total of 106 entrants started the race, with only 75 making it to the end. Some of the runners retired along the way, while a handful missed checkpoint cut-off times. For a full list of results, please visit http://www.tra-uk.org/ridgeway-challenge

Hemel Storm’s popular point guard Bode Adeluola will once again be wearing the Storm uniform when the 2013/14 National League Division One season gets under way next month.

The dynamic, crowd-pleasing back court general has shown steady development as a player since joining Storm in their second – and promotion winning – season two years ago.

The London-based guard was instrumental in Storm’s successful push for promotion, averaging double figures in points and regularly recording high numbers of assists.

And, perhaps surprisingly, the diminutive fire-ball has proved to be an exceptional rebounder.

Storm’s new head coach, Steve Darlow, said he was delighted to have Adeluola back in the Hemel line-up.

“We’ve set out some specific technical things that we want to do really well as a team this season and we expect Bode to set our defensive tempo and attitude,” said Darlow.

“Bode is really competitive and we’ll certainly need that. We’ll be fielding an all-English team again this year in a division where most of our opponents will strengthen their rosters with imports.

“Bode is a true Storm player, he represents how this club wants to play and he demonstrates the commitment required to compete at this level.”

Storm enjoyed an impressive campaign last season and will be expecting to build on that performance this time around.

They have already picked up their first piece of silverware thie year _ winning the plate final at the London Summer League tournament.

Storm impressed throughout the event and saw off Westminster Warriors 46-21 to clinch the plate.

They get the regular league season under way on Sunday, September 15 at home to Bristol Flyers, 5pm tip-off at Sportspace Hemel Hempstead.

To purchase tickets for the game, and for further information, please visit www.stormbasketball.net.

Berkhamsted 2
 Ampthill Town 1

In-form Berkhamsted saw off Ampthill Town to make it three home wins on the spin for Mick Vipond’s side.

Tom Coulton made his debut in goal for Berkhamsted after his move from St Albans City while Martin Conway made a fine save at the Railway End to tip a Connor Calcutt free-kick over the bar.

The lively Calcutt had goals disallowed in each half for offside as Berko made plenty of chances against an Ampthill side that was missing several regulars.

The Comrades made the crucial breakthrough five minutes before the interval when Dan Griggs came up at the back post and netted.

The hosts continued to press after the break and doubled their lead when James Towell lobbed home from 20 yards.

Berkhamsted had further chances as the game progressed, but Ampthill struck late on to give the scoreline a flattering appearance for the visitors.

“There were some good bits and some not so good bits,” said Berko boss Vipond.

“I’m not saying it was an easy game but we could have won by five if we had taken our chances.”

Berko have made a good opening to the season and Vipond says he is pleased with his side’s start.

“It’s early days but things are looking pretty pleasing.

“The problem is going to be keeping everyone happy. When we are winning we don’t want to tinker with the team too much.”

Hemel Hempstead Town CC claimed the Lancot Park 20th Anniversary Trophy as Dunstable Town CC celebrated 20 years at their current home on Monday.

The competition was part of an anniversary event held to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the club’s move from Bull Pond Lane to Lancot Park.

The day consisted of a Colts match between two Dunstable sides followed by the twenty20 semi-finals of the 20th Anniversary Trophy.

The competition featured two mixed Dunstable teams and one from Hemel Hempstead, as well as a Stuart Harvey XI which included Dunstable’s Sam Marshall and Matt Custance and current and ex-Hexton players.

In the first semi-final, a young Dunstable side lost to Hemel Hempstead by 30 runs.

Hemel racked up 172 in their 20 overs and Dunstable never really challenged, although 15-year-old Kasif Ali scored an impressive half century as they finished on 142.

In the other semi, Stuart Harvey’s XI claimed a nine-wicket win over a Dunstable side led by club captain Rob Simpkins.

Dunstable batted first and made 137 with Richard Kilduff and Mahesh Bhutiya the main run scorers, and in reply Harvey’s XI eased home at 138-1 with undefeated 50s from Mark Smith and Luke Munt.

In the final Hemel Hempstead scored a colossal 202 with Josh Graves making 100 not out with a six off the last ball.

This total proved too much for Harvey’s team as, despite a fine 70 from Matt Custance off just 42 balls, Hemel ran out deserved 30-run winners to lift the trophy.

Rain may well have stopped play on Saturday, but there was still plenty of action on Dacorum’s bowls greens over the course of the week as the season rolls towards its climax.

Berkhamsted

Berkhamsted’s Mary Clarke enjoyed a convincing 21-8 win over Abbots Langley’s Betty Ottoway to sail through to the semi-finals of the W&D Singles competition.

Elsewhere, despite the efforts of Marion Maynard, Janet Jackson and Jackie Cormack who won their rink, the Berkhamsted ladies’ team lost their Jubilee Cup encounter by just three shots.

Winning ways were quickly restored in Sundays’ Dacorum Charity Shield encounter with Tring as Berkhamsted won on both the ladies’ and mixed rinks.

The top rink consisted of Carole Dunn, Anne Furlong, Lesley Brown and Cormack.

Kitcheners

Kitcheners played Berkhamsted in a four-rink mixed match and lost 82-69.

Highest rink for Kitcheners were Mavis Janes, Arthur Graydon, Michael Connell and Jake Murray.

Saturday’s match against Tring was cancelled because of the wet weather but on Sunday Kitcheners entertained Cheddington in a four-rink mixed match, losing 76-74. Highest rink for Kitcheners were Yvonne Coe, Arthur Graydon, Micky Woodman and Steve Delderfield.

Meanwhile, Dave Richardson and Steve Davis have reached the final of the Watford & District Pairs competition and Richardson has also reached the final of the Officers Singles.

Potten End

The Potten End team of Phil Bunting, Brain Cowland, Graham Floyd, Dave Gomm, Tony Howard, Trefor Jenkins, Alan Jones, Mick Kirkby, Brian Marshall and Roy Surrey won the Griffin Cup as they edged past Croxley Guild by just one shot.

The victory completed a cup double for Potten End this year, and Bunting said: “I would like to thank all the supporters who have watched us throughout our competitions.”

Elsewhere, the Potten End ladies played Abbots Langley and won 39-29, with highest winning rink consisting of Janice Burke, Lillian Crofts, Sandra Gomm and Molly Moone.

The men played Harpenden and secured 103-66 triumph, with highest rink going to Peter Burke, Kirkby and Bob Anderson.

In other action, the Potten End trio of Sue Marshall, Jan Dean and Glad Pearce beat a team from Kings Langley by one shot to progress to the semi-finals of the W&D Ladies’ Triples.

Meanwhile, Floyd and Bunting won their semi-final against David Brown and Kevin Clark of Berkhamsted by seven shots to take them through to the final of the W&D Pairs.

The men played Abbots Langley on Saturday, only managing to play ends before the game was abandoned.

Hemel Hempstead

Hemel Hempstead entertained Kitcheners at their Gadebridge Park green on Sunday in a Dacorum Shield match. The game swung between the teams on the men’s rink until the final end which Hemel won to make the score 63-63.

But the overall result was decided on rink advantage, giving Kitcheners three points to Hemel’s two.

There was also a friendly rink skippered by Tony Benham which resulted in a healthy 21-12 win for Hemel.

It was Benham’s last appearance for Hemel as he has now moved to Norfolk, where he will be playing for a team closer to his new home.

In the Watford & District Men’s Triples semi-final against Garston, the Hemel team of Dieter Kinzelmann, John Tierney and Brian Smith once again put in a late surge to overcome a strong Garston side, winning 25-15.

They will now play another Garston side in the final at Herts BC on Saturday.

Harperbury BC were the guests on Wednesday for a friendly four-rink mixed contest, which the visitors won 66-54. Hemel’s top rink consisted of Ken Lowe, Sheila Dean, Pauline Howell and Roy Payne who won 27-18.

The junior rugby union season kicks off on Sunday and the Hemel Hempstead Camelot youth teams are hoping to build on last year’s successes.

Last season’s U8s are the reigning county champions and won five other major festivals – and they are relishing the move from tag rugby to the tackling game and plan to retain their titles.

The RFU have implemented rule changes that encourage team play and eases the transition from tag rugby to the contact form of the game.

These changes have proved popular and assisted the development of new players – and Camelot are now on the hunt for fresh talent.

The club is looking to recruit new players between the ages of five and 15, whether they are new to the game or seasoned competitors.

Players in school Years 1, 2 and 3 play tag rugby, which is non-contact, fast, fun and competitive, while school Year 4 and upwards play tackling rugby. No specialist equipment is required to start, just plenty of enthusiasm.

For further details on getting involved with rugby at Camelot, please visit www.camelotrugby.co.uk or e-mail John Cannon at CamelotU10s@gmail.com

The 1st11 Academy were crowned U13 Plate Champions at the 22nd London International Soccer Festival after seeing off teams from Kuwait and Bahrain.

The tournament is held annually at Royal Holloway College in Egham, Surrey, and the U13 group included Brunswick FC Surrey, ASS Kuwait, ASS Bahrain, ASS South West and 1st11 Academy.

1st11 Academy U13 were playing their first ever competitive games as a team yet recorded some impressive results, with a 14-0 win over ASS Kuwait in the group stage and an emphatic 6-1 win against ASS Bahrain in the plate final – leading to a number of the players attracting interest from scouts.

Academy director Andrew Kuprewicz said: “We learnt a lot out there as a team, and in the final we continued our consistency from the group stages and played some really expansive attractive football with a number of the players putting in some fantastic performances.

“We have a good young squad here, if we can keep them together the boys will continue to develop and improve.

“A huge congratulations to the 1st11 Academy U13 squad, it shows their hard work paid off.”

1st11 Academy was set up by Andrew in September 2012 to address the gap between grassroots clubs and elite football.

The aim is to implement a culture of education and learning, where players take responsibility of their development instead of focusing on match results.

The academy operates Progression and Performance Centres in Watford and Tring where players work on their skills on a weekly basis.

They don’t enter into local leagues – instead, players who are members of the academy continue to represent their teams at the weekend and join 1st11 Academy once or twice a week to train and develop. To find out more email info@1st11.co.uk or visit www.1st11.co.uk.