ON a bright and sunny Sunday morning 20 teams of enthusiastic junior rugby players and supporters arrived at Taw Meadow, North Tawton RFC for the Devon U12s rugby festival. The day was well run and the pace of the games was fast and furious.

In their North Okes pool matches the team started with a comfortable win against Torquay by 21-7. North Okes repeated the same scoreline against Salcombe, shutting down the oppositions fast set of backs.

North Okes went onto beat Devonport Services 28-7 before their toughest pool match against a Plymstock Albion side which they drew 0-0. It was Albion who went through to the cup final as they scored one more try than North Okes in the pool, but they were beaten by competition winners Newton Abbot by 14-0.

In the semi final North Okes started brilliantly but Crediton showed real courage to come back into the game, 14-14. Due to a draw North Okes went through to the plate final on the toss of a coin.

Here they came up against Barnstaple and were unlucky not to score early on but eventually went down 24-0. The result doesn't reflect the level of commitment shown by North Okes in keen tackles and darting runs.

The bowl final winners were Exeter Chiefs, who beat Sidmouth 28-0.

The trophies were presented by Deborah Squire, director of Underhill real estate agents who supplied the trophies and medals. She thanked the event sponsors Waitrose, Taw Valley Creamery, Andy Loos, Tarka Water, Spar, Martins Butchers and Underhill real estate agents as well as all the organisers, referees and officials.

The medals were presented by Paul Fewings, North Tawton RFC club president and Deborah Squire.