HARPENDEN Rugby Club’s under-sevens trounced the competition at the Alan Day Cup, taking home the winners and runners-up trophies.

The boys travelled to Saracens’ new ground at Clopthall in Barnet for the tournament, which feature 25 London and Hertfordshire teams.

The competition was split up into five pools, each containing five teams. Both Harpenden teams won their individual pools, as well as their quarter final and semi final matches – one of which was against local rivals Old Albanians and the other against Hemel Hempstead.

Harpenden’s two teams faced each other in the final, with 1s beating the 2s 9-8. Both teams were presented with their medals and trophies during half time of the Saracens London Welsh match that followed in front of 15,000 fans.

Darren Duddy, Harpenden RFC’s U7 coach, told the Herts Ad the coaches were “bursting with pride” watching the boys.

“The boys have been with the club since they were five and we have worked so hard with them, so it’s great to see the passion they have for rugby.

“This year in particular has been a huge turning point and the enjoyment is equal to their success.”

Duddy added that the club’s, and the Rugby Football Union’s, focus on player development was helping the youngsters to enjoy the game.

“Rugby is much more progressive,” he said.

“There are not the same pressures to win; instead it is about having fun and developing the boys as players. New aspects of the game are added slowly, such as more players and contact, so by the time the players reach 11-years-old they have a good grip on the game. It’s fantastic to see.”