IT was a triumphant day for teenage rugby players from the district when they represented Northumberland at the home of Newcastle Falcons.

A squad of 30 players turned out for Northumberland U18 at Kingston Park on Sunday, with almost half of them from Tynedale. They were successful in both 15-a-side and seven-a-side competitions on the famous turf.

In the 15s, Northumberland played two 35-minute games, and defeated Durham 12-10 before getting the better of Cumbria in a resounding 17-5 victory.

The girls also took part in a XRugby7s tournament. XRugby7s is a new form of the game which has a reduced level of contact. It is played at a quicker pace, and on a smaller pitch than regular sevens rugby.

Northumberland won three out of four seven-a-side games, and coach Nick Oliver said it was a good day all round.

“We took as big a squad as we could,” he said. “We wanted to give all of the girls who were available to play, the chance to get involved in this event.

“There were some very good, competitive games of rugby.”

Nick said the standard of girls’ rugby is constantly improving, which is healthy for the future of the sport.

The event was originally scheduled to take place at Tynedale Park, Corbridge.

Nick added: “We had to change venue due to the weather and are grateful to the Falcons for making Kingston Park available.”

Girls from the district also took part in an U15 tournament. Read more in next week’s Courant.