Kent Target took an early step towards retaining their league crowns with a 4 and a half grade wins at the UKPA’s Early Season Tournament. They claimed the A, B and C grades and then they combined with Rugby to win the Open Juniors and won the Intermediate Juniors by themselves. Rugby and Cotswold also had good weekends, Rugby took the D grade and second in the C grade plate as well as the Open Juniors win, while Cotswold were involved in four second places, either by themselves or combined with other clubs.

Kent won the A grade, winning all their matches in the round robin, with Celyn getting second place. Joel Sics of Kent picked up best player for his performance in the number 2 shirt. The B grade was a nerve biting affair with Kent winning by a single goal in the final against Cotswold. Both Kent and Cotswold had a couple of proven A graders in their B grade teams and the match was fast and furious. However, in the end Kent just emerged victorious and Sammy Rowden was rewarded for her efforts in one of their number one spots by winning best player.

The C grade was played as a cup and plate competition, Kent, who had dropped a couple of B graders to their C grade team, won the Cup final relatively easily from a combined Arden and Cotswold team. In the C grade Plate the Welsh Dragons won with Rugby in second place. It was George Boisseau of the Welsh Dragons who picked up best player in the C grade.

Rugby took the D grade against the Northen Lions but it was Hamish Gillanders of the Lions who won best player prize. In the E grade the newly formed Bucks Broncos won, winning all their matches. Another combined Arden and Cotswold team got second spot and the Broncos’ Shane Smith won best player.

In the Juniors grades it was the Kent and Rugby combined team who claimed the Open Juniors, overcoming Celyn in a hard fought battle and Finn Bristow of Rugby won best player. The intermediate Juniors was also won by Kent with a combined team of Celyn, Cotswold and Limemere Sparks in second place and Dom White of the Cotswold won best player. Maggie Johnson of the Bucks Broncos won most improved player for the tournament.

In the Primary Juniors the Northern Lions got a win which made their long journies south worthwhile as they overcame the Rockwood Pony Club team and Caitlin Heagney won the best player for the grade.

For full results click here.