The Raptors junior tournament held a couple of weeks ago was a huge success. There were 6 teams in the under 12s competition and 5 teams in the U14s representing clubs from Rossendale, Bacup, Accrington, Blackburn, Garstang, Preston and Burnley.

The teams played 4 or 5 fixtures during the afternoon and there was lots of talent on display. In the U12s Garstang had two teams of young and athletic players who had clearly been practicing hard over recent months. The two Garstang teams won all their games against the other sides in the group and were worthy winners of the competition.

Bacup Raptors performed very well despite being easily the youngest team in the competition with some of their players as young as 6 and 7 years old. But there enthusiasm was infectios and they were great for the competition. Young players from Accrginton Raptors and Rossendale Raptors also played well, particularly considering that many of them are very new to the game. The girls from St Wilfrids school put in a brilliant performance throughout the afternoon and for much of the time took the game to the boys and had some impressive results.

In the U14s competition, Preston Prides team had a lot of size and talent and were very impressive on their way to a clean sweep of victories againts Rossendale Raptors, Burnley, Garstang and St Wilfrids girls.

All teams showed a lot of charater and sportsmanship and demonstrated the rich hot bed of talent in Lancashire.

Well done to all teams that took part and thank you to all those volunteers who made the event possible.

Photos can be found in the Gallery