2 May 2005
DARREN GODFREY scorched in for two tries as Bristol were crowned Development Cup champions at the Royal & SunAlliance National Under-15s 10-a-side Festival at Rugby School today.

The centre’s brace secured a 12-0 victory over Essex to make it eight wins from eight outings over the two days and take the title from last season’s development champions Birmingham.

Godfrey, who received their trophy and medals from England’s World Cup legend Jason Leonard, said: “It means a lot to us. Jason is a hero to us all and for him to be here watching us is great. We have worked really hard and to finish the season like this is fantastic. I’m very proud of myself and the whole team.” 

For their coach, 19-year-old Whitehall Colts captain Nathan Pring, thrown into the hotseat with regular coaches Wayne Millard and Johnny Coles away, it was the pinnacle of a fledgling career.

“I couldn’t ask any more from them,” said Pring. “They have played really well as a team and to only concede two tries was fantastic. I am still only young and to have helped this team win this trophy was really special.”

Hal Armstrong’s last-minute penalty against United City of Manchester wrapped up a 10-0 victory and the Development Plate for Barrow Bulls to make it a happy journey back to Cumbria.

Armstrong said: “I thought it was going over but it just sneaked through and I am really chuffed. It was really good fun over the two days.”

Development Festival

Final Cup standings: 1 Bristol, 2  Birmingham, 3  Essex, 4 Leeds/Bradford, 5 Liverpool

Results: Bristol 22 Liverpool 0, Essex 5 Birmingham 5, Bristol 15 Leeds 0, Liverpool 0 Birmingham 22, Essex 14 Leeds 0, Bristol 12 v Birmingham 5, Liverpool 0 v Leeds 14, Bristol 12 v Essex 0, Birmingham 15 Leeds 5, Liverpool 0 Essex 22.

Final Plate standings 1 Barrow, 2 Utd City of Manchester, 3 Nottingham, 4 Shoreditch Sharks, 5 Newcastle

Results: Shoreditch Sharks 7 Nottingham 5, Newcastle 0 Barrow 15, Shoreditch| Sharks 0 Utd City of Manchester 10, Nottingham 10 Barrow 0, Newcastle 0 v Utd City of Manchester 21, Shoreditch Sharks 0 v Barrow 22, Nottingham 5 v Utd City of Manchester 10, Shoreditch Sharks 15 Newcastle 5, Barrow 10 Utd City of Manchester 0, Nottingham 7 Newcastle 0.