Rhinos Challenge 2016 got underway today for 140 clubs and over 6000 total players and spectators enjoying the first day of tournament action at Butlins Resort in Skegness.
All age groups from under 8s to 15s played out their first group stage fixtures on the first day of action, hosted for the first year at three festival sights in Skegness.
In the oldest age group on show in the under 15s, none of the teams were able to hold on to a 100% record after the opening four games with West Hull ARLFC and Waterhead Warriors ARLFC both winning 3 games and drawing 1 to top the group on 11 points, followed closely by Dewsbury Moor ARLFC who are also unbeaten on 10 points.
With three more games to play on the Sunday to decide the finals, there is plenty to play for in the under 15s age group which includes Essex based side Brentwood ARLFC, who recorded their first Rhinos Challenge victory against Kippax Welfare.
In the under 14's, Moldgreen ARLFC, West Hull ARLFC and Saddleworth ARLFC all took 10 points from a possible twelve with three wins and a draw in group 1 and with Skirlaugh, Dewsbury Moor and Crosfields topping group 2 after four games on 11, 10 and 9 points respectively.
The top two sides from each group will play off in the main cup semi finals tomorrow to see who is crowned Rhinos Challenge under 14 champions, while the remaining six sides play off in two groups to decide final overall places.
Following the same format as the under 14s, the under 13s tournament saw another close run round robin on day 1, leaving four teams who finished first and second in their groups to play out the main cup in the semi finals on day two.
East Leeds took five wins from five in group 1 to take maximum points and secure their place, with taking 13 points with four draws and a win to finish second. Skirlaugh and Shawcross Sharks qualified for the semi finals, Skirlaugh also taking maximum points and Shawcross dropping just two out of a possible 15.
The final age group festival taking place at the Wainfleet Road site in Skegness saw the under 12s competition comprising of 20 teams in four groups with the top team only going through to the main cup finals tournament.
East Hull, Lock Lane, Batley Boys and Thatto Heath all qualified top of their group with Lock Lane and Batley winning all four of their games. The rest of the teams still have plenty to play for on day two with four playoff pools deciding the final finishing positions overall.
In the under 11's who were based at the Skegness Grammar School site, 29 teams battled for places in the Main Cup competition with top placed teams and three best overall runners up able to qualify. Wigan St Judes Maroons, Featherstone Lions, Rylands Sharks, Skirlaugh and Wigan St Jude Golds finished first, the latter four all recording 100% records.
West Hull Pumas, Cottingham and Beverley Braves made up the Main cup competition places as runners up with the remainder of the under 11 age group competing in three playoff pools to decide final places and ensuring two more games for every team on the second day.
27 more teams played off in the under 10s tournament which was also based at Skegness Grammar School, with the same format sending first placed Dearne Valley Bulldogs (15 points), Blackbrook Royals (15 points), Hull Wyke (14 points), West Bowling (14 points) and Kippax Welfare (15 points) through to the finals with best placed runners up Upton, Rylands Tiger Sharks and Birkenshaw Bluedogs.
The remaining teams follow the same format as the under 11s competition which will see them compete in four playoff groups for final placings.
At the third site for this year's event, the under 8s and 9s competitions got underway this morning at Swifts JFC sports ground in Ingoldmells. 18 under 9s teams split off into three groups of 6 teams which would see first placed teams qualify for the main cup competition on day 2.
Rylands Sharks, Skirlaugh and Woolston Rovers showed fine form to all take five wins from five to top their groups, with Stanley Rangers also going through as the best placed runner up. The remaining teams will also be in action with two games to play in their playoff pools for day two.
Finally in the youngest age group in action this weekend, the under 8s tournament involving 17 teams from across the country, saw Wigan St Judes, Blackbrook Royals and and Ryland Sharks go through as group winners with Golborne Parkside Pirates to compete in the main cup and the remaining teams competing in the playoff pools on day two.
For up to date results and fixtures from this weekend visit http://esfscorecentre.co.uk/tournaments/all/12/Rhinos-Challenge