A CONTROVERSIAL try at the end of a shortened semi-final at Vale of Lune ended the Grasshoppers' U9s 21-match, season-long unbeaten run.

With Sam Chard and Garth Dew showing top form, efficient wins against Broughton Park, Durham City and Waterloo came to nothing when Aspull's last-minute score put an end to dreams of winning the tournament the side had won last year.

The mood of disappointment contrasted with Saturday's pleasure, following the second convincing win against Worcester this season. The U9s won 15-5 with tries by James Vaughan, Garth Dew and Richard Mellalieu, gaining glowing tributes from big-spending Worcester's largest crowd of the season.

Undefeated at Vale of Lune's 17-club tournaments, but with one drawn game, the calculators ruled the U8s out of a semi-final place. Philip McDonald scored four tries to keep his side in contention in each match.

Cumbria, with a squad drawn from seven clubs, came to Grasshoppers to play their annual match against the U11s. Richard Keir, captaining the side from the front, rounded off a 35-7 win, scoring his side's fifth try. With the team displaying slick handling, fellow prop Jon Horton also touched down. Chris Cox made it two tries and Jack Ward finished 'em off. John Peterson kicked his third of five conversions to make it 21-0. Thereafter, James Cooper, Steven Johnson and full-back Anthony Mellalieu prevented the Cumbrian attack from advancing beyond the game until their last-minute consolation try. Ward and Chris Rush tackled with vigour, Rush scoring the try of the game.

In the junior division Lancashire U13s pair George Strachen and Edward Keany took Wharfedale apart, Strachen scoring five tries. With Stewart Harth kicking four conversions, regular kicker Stewart Blackburn kept his name on the scoresheet with two tries and two conversions.

Otley had the best of the U14s match as Hoppers lost 24-29 and the U16s slipped up to Wharfedale, losing 22-27.

The U15s plans for their Scottish RFU International tournament were hampered by two serious injuries against Wharfedale, the 34-10 win being no consolation. John Reading grabbed two tries and James Keany joined younger brother Edward on the club's scoresheet.

John Caunce scored two tries, and, with Adam Wilson kicking a penalty, the U17s were too strong for Liverpool St Helens as they won away 25-5.

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