Middlesex Rugby
Cronk-Cunis U 21 Festival
CRONK-CUNIS UNDER 21 TOURNAMENT
BRIGHTON DEFEND TITLE AT NATIONAL UNDER-21 FESTIVAL
Sunday September 2nd KCS OB ground Arthur Road Motspur Park KT3 6LX
CRONK-CUNIS UNDER 21 TOURNAMENT
BRIGHTON DEFEND TITLE AT NATIONAL UNDER-21 FESTIVAL
The old boys from Brighton College defend their National Under-21 title at Motspur Park on Sunday, September 2.More than 800 players will take part in the 11th Cronk-Cunis Festival, with 44 teams of old boys from independent and state schools confirmed.
The Festival plays a significant role in bridging the gap between school and adult rugby and is a key component of the RFU’s Go Play Rugby campaign designed to boost the number of people playing the game this season.
“Our objectives and those of Go Play Rugby are 100 per cent the same and we want young people to carry on being involved in the game and not throw their boots away,” said organiser Tim Cunis, who launched the event with Andrew Cronk in 1997.
“There are many who play at school and they go off to university and end up dropping out. If you keep them playing together – even if it’s once a year at an event like this – it’s much easier to make sure they carry on.” The Cronk-Cunis is a 15-a-side 15-minutes each way event with Cup, Plate, Bowl, Vase & Shield competitions that runs on 8 pitches from 10am to 7pm at the King’s College School Old Boys ground.
Last year, when the tournament was recognised with ‘National’ status by the game’s governing body, RFU President Bob Rogers handed the trophy to Brighton skipper Will Harris after their 26-5 win over Oundle.This year, new President Bob Taylor is looking forward to his visit to Motspur Park.
“This Festival is clearly a great encouragement for old boys to continue playing when they leave school,” said Taylor. “It does seem to be an ideal way of giving them that extra push to remain involved. “The organisers are to be congratulated on all their hard work which will keep students in the game as they move from schoolboy rugby to a life full of competing demands and leisure attractions.”
Teams participating this year include: Abingdon, Bedford, Bishop’s Stortford College, Brighton College, Bristol GS; Campion; Cardinal Vaughan Memorial, Chislehurst & Sidcup GS, Christ’s Hospital, Cranleigh, Gordonstoun, Haileybury College, Hampton, Harrow, KCS Wimbledon, King Edward VI Southampton, Lord Wandsworth College, Loughborough GS, Marlborough College, Mill Hill, Millfield, Monmouth, Norwich, Oundle, Pangbourne College, Portsmouth GS, Radley College, Reading Blue Coat, Reigate GS, RGS Guildford, Rugby, St Benedict’s Ealing, St Dunstan’s College, St Edward’s Oxford, St John’s College Leatherhead, St Paul’s London, Tiffin, Tonbridge, Wallington County GS, Wellington College, Whitgift, Wimbledon College, Windsor Boys.
