By Neil Goulding (English Lacrosse Press Officer, 07813 859986) 

Pictured: Timperley Under-19s celebrate their Community Festival with official 2010 World Championship mascot Chester

THE Community Festival proved to be the perfect start to what promises to be a wonderful 15 days of lacrosse here at the 2010 World Championships in Manchester.

A total of 14 teams did battle in the Boys Under-14 Junior Club Festival as the opening action gave spectators a taste of the thrills and spills they are expected to witness for the duration of this year's special event being staged at the University of Manchester Armitage Centre.

And there was also action in the Boys Under-19 Club Festival, with both finals contested on the Blue Division Championship pitch, the pitch which will be used to contest this year's showcase final on Saturday 24th July.

It proved to be a great day for lacrosse as the sun shone brightly and spectators flooded through the gates to watch plenty of exciting lacrosse.

In the Under-14s competition Sheffield Steelers were heavily favoured to win the title having gone unbeaten during the group stages, but having won four successive matches the South Yorkshire club came unstuck after they lost out to Poynton in the knockout semi-final stages.

Pictured: Chester the Bulldog poses with the Sheffield U19 team.

A 2-0 loss saw Steelers eliminated and Poynton, who lost 3-0 to their rivals in the group stages, deservedly progress to the final.

And there the London Road North club were joined by Brooklands Hulmeians after they defeated Rochdale 4-0 in this year's other semi-finals.

The final was a close affair and, after 20 minutes of a hard-fought encounter, it was Brooklands Hulmeians who emerged 2-0 winners to be crowned the first champions of this year's tournament.

James Reading and Jack Lambert scored the goals for Brooklands as they celebrated their title.

In the Under-19s Timperley, unbeaten all season in domestic competition and worthy treble-winners, were crowned the second title winners.

Also unbeaten in the group stages with four successive victories, Timperley faced Manchester Waconians in the semi-finals and cruised to an impressive 5-0 victory.

Meanwhile, Sheffield Steelers turned on the style with a 4-0 win against Brooklands Hulmeians in the other semi-final.

Behind 1-0 in the final Timperley had their work cut out during the 20 minute match, but two goals from Will Hawksley and Greg Sandy secured victory. Andy Oliver was on target for Steelers.

Pictured: Timperley's victorious captain's, Greg Sandy and Jason Armstrong.

 

Community Festival results

Under-14s Final: Brooklands Hulmeians 2 Poynton 0Under-19s Final: Timperley 2 Sheffield Steelers 1

 

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