Ballinrobe claim first leg of Connacht U20 10s Series

The victorious Ballinrobe side.

This season's first Connacht U20 10s Series took place in Castlebar RFC last Saturday with Ballinrobe RFC beating Castlebar and Ballina to the honours.

The competition is for U20 teams (10 players a side) and the weekend’s event was the first of three festivals taking place this month.

Along with competing for honours on the pitch, there was a big emphasis on the social aspect of the festival with food and refreshments provided for the competing sides by hosts Castlebar.

Brendan Flanagan, coach of the Ballinrobe side, said: “The format worked really well and it was a great way for the players to work on their skills and get back to fitness ahead of the upcoming season.

“The standard of refereeing was excellent with the social aspect adding another dimension so it was a very enjoyable day out.”

Tuam RFC will host the next Festival on Saturday, August 12, with the finale taking place on the main pitch at the Sportsground on Sunday, August 27.

Along with the clubs, individuals are also invited to take part in the Festivals. An open invitation Barbarians side containing individual players or groups of three or four will compete in upcoming Festivals with players invited to sign up to play for this team if their own club is not entering (contact info@connachtrugby.ie before Tuesday, August 8, to sign up for the Barbarians).

Clubs can enter the Festivals in Tuam and the Sportsground by filling in this form before Tuesday, August 8.

See the best photos from the Festival below.

Castlebar Festival Round-Up

Results (number of tries in brackets)

Castlebar (2) 10-17 (3) Ballina

Ballina (2) 12-36 (6) Ballinrobe

Castlebar (7) 41-26 (4) Ballinrobe

Castlebar Table

Ballinrobe 6pts* Ballinrobe top table due to most tries scored

Castlebar 6pts

Ballina 4pts

Overall table