North Berwick RFC mini-rugby squad made the long journey by coach last weekend to Bethesda RFC in North Wales for the Scarlets Invitational Rugby Festival - and returned joint winners of the under-12s' trophy.

This was the squad’s first competitive 15-a-side tournament and they excelled in all positions. Three first round matches were played against Welsh teams from Bangor (draw), and Llangefni (win), and an Irish team from Claremorris (win).

This put the team into the Sunday play-offs as top seed in their pool.

Quarter-final victory against East Kilbride and a semi-final win in a return match against Bangor placed the squad in the final.

The concluding match was played in front of a large enthusiastic crowd of supporters with North Berwick’s opponents coming from Oundle RFC (England).

As expected this was the hardest game of the weekend.

Both sides were equally matched in heavily contested forward play and expansive passing moves through the backs.

The last five minutes saw North Berwick under immense pressure in their own 22, but they fought tirelessly in defence to the final whistle. Nothing could separate the two teams and no tries were scored. The epic battle resulted in joint glory. Each team took home a well-deserved winners' trophy (picture).

The coaches and parents who accompanied the boys to Wales were thrilled and proud to see how well they played in this, the culmination of seven years of mini-rugby coaching at North Berwick RFC.

Organisers of the tournament and opposition coaches and supporters commented on the excellent level of play and mature sportsmanship shown by the North Berwick squad.

Head coach Nigel Williams said: “Our boys played above and beyond our expectations to reach this level of success in their first 15-a-side tournament against U12 squads from all Home Nations. They should all be congratulated for their hard work on the training ground at North Berwick which has resulted in outstanding rugby at this tournament.”

Sponsors Coulters estate agents kindly presented the boys with tour hoodies before they departed on the long bus journey to Wales. Squad - Props: Ethan Glancy, Finan McElroy; Hooker: Fergus Kinnaird; Second Row: Adam Little, Graham Lamb, Archie O’Brien;

Flankers: Harris Darge, Griffyn Williams, Max Muir, Harry Lee; Number 8: Christian Lindsay (Captain); Scrum Half: Ross Napier, Jacob Jolly; Fly half: Cameron Fyfe; Centres: Jake Hetherington, Rhoan Fraser, Gregor Macintosh, Innes Williams, Joel Begg;

Winger: Felix Bishop, CJ Loudon, Callum Tyrrell, Benji Bone; Full Back: Rory Lang. Tour coaches were Nigel Williams (Head Coach); Mike Napier; Matt Bishop; Iain Macintosh; Stuart Lindsay; Mike Hetherington and Justin Lamb.