Sale Sharks hosted the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup, an exciting and competitive under 12 and under 11 grassroots competition, last Sunday. The successful series of nationwide tournaments continues to grow and allow young rugby players to showcase their capabilities in a professionally run environment.

The under 12 final was a fantastic spectacle for those in attendance, with the impressive Preston Grasshoppers keeping their composure to secure a fine victory over Lymm, who showed great integrity in defeat and made sure that they challenged 'Hoppers' right until the final whistle. In the under 11 final, Warrington were triumphant, playing with great confidence to defeat Chester, who displayed great resolve to ensure that 'The Wires' had to be at their very best throughout the match so that they could be crowned Regional Champions.

As well as winning the tournament, the young players have also won places in the prestigious Land Rover Parade of Champions where they will be presented to a sell-out crowd at Twickenham during the Aviva Premiership Rugby Final next May.

In addition, the Land Rover Above and Beyond Award, which goes to a player who showed great determination and composure to overcome any obstacles or challenges that presented themselves, was given to Benedict Rainford from Preston Grasshoppers for his overall positive attitude.

Benedict said, "The Manchester Festival was a great experience and we all had a fantastic day. The standard of rugby in the U12's was very high, so we were really pleased to win the competition. Winning the Spirit of Rugby Award and meeting the Sale Sharks players made my day."

"The parents from Preston would like to thank Manchester Rugby Club, Sale Sharks and Land Rover for putting on a great festival of rugby which was really well organised. The coaches and players created a great spirit on the day, and all the teams should be congratulated for their efforts in making it a fantastic day and a great advert for mini rugby."

Participating players at the festival also had the opportunity to meet Sale Sharks players Will Bordill, Alasdair Dickinson and Tom Cruse who took time out of their schedules to watch the young teams, as well as offer some coaching tips between games.

Find out more about the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup here.

Warrington - Under 11 winners at the Manchester Festival