U14 Grand Prix format makes successful start

All matches were contested and four-a-side Tier 2 matches that, while competitive, also placed a strong emphasis on development and enjoyment. 

A total of 32 teams took part – 12 in the boys’ competition and 20 in the girls. 

In the girls Boswells A topped the group with three wins and one loss. They slightly edged out AST Academy to the top spot with a better points difference. 

They were closely followed by Richmond B who finished third in the table with two wins one draw and one loss. 

In pool B Richmond A topped the group going unbeaten all day. Not dropping a set to their opponents, Boswells B, Welwyn and Hatfield B and Team Sideout. 

Sideout were a close second winning their other two matches.

The girls’ pool C was played at Newcastle where all teams played each other once as matches were played over two sets of seven minutes. 

Urmston Grammar B emerged as the pool winners, winning 14 sets and dropping just two to amass 257 points in total, while conceding 158. 

Runners-up Newcastle Staffs A were not far behind, with a set record of 13-3 and a points record of 252-161. 

Wirral A were third with an 11-5 record and Urmston Grammar A fourth (10-6). 

Newcastle Staffs B, Ashfield Vipers, Newcastle Staffs C, Stockport, and Wirral B completed the final table in that order. 

In the boys’ Pool A, played at Ernest Bevin Academy, matches were played over one timed set. 

Eight teams were divided into two groups, followed by crossover matches (including semi-finals) and a final. 

In Group A, Team Sideout won all three of their matches to top the table and their closest match proved to be their first against eventual runners-up Boswells School A, where they came through 38-27. 

Team Sideout B finished in third after a 38-29 victory over fourth-placed AST Academy. 

Boswells School B finished with a three wins from three record to head up Group B and clinched a crucial 50-45 success in their key game with Ernest Bevin A, who were runners-up. 

Ernest Bevin B got the better of Boswells School C 52-42 to decide who finished third and fourth. 

Keenly-contested semi-finals saw Team Sideout A beat Ernest Bevin A 24-20 and Boswells School A edging out Boswells School B 21-18. 

The resulting final between Team Sideout A and the Boswells School A saw the former run out 31-13 victors. 

In the 'B’ final, Team Sideout B were 17-16 winners against AST Academy. 

Overall, the teams were ranked as follows: Team Sideout A, Boswells School A, Ernest Bevin A, Boswells School B, Team Sideout B, AST Academy, Boswells School C, Ernest Bevin B. 

Enter Grand Prix 2... 

A second set of U14 matches will be contested on 13th and 14th April. 

Teams wanting to enter have until Monday 19th February to do so and more details are on the National Junior Competitions home page by clicking here.