It was Sunday 17 Oct and on peeling the curtain back I saw that it was a great day for rugby; wet, damp, cold and windy, what more could you want.Undeterred the Pirates arrived at Dempsey Barracks full of enthusiasm and excitement, everyone was registered and then onto the coach to PRB Gutersloh.

It was a little slow to get going, but in the end 3 community rugby clubs had turned up; Gutersloh Giants, Hameln Pipers and the Pirates.

With the coaches working out the age group competitions, the kids warming up, and mum's and dad's with their cups of tea/coffee and bacon rolls gathered around the Salvation Army refreshment wagon, the setting was one of sheer pleasure.

With the age groups practiced the games began, fortunately there are no houses close to the rugby pitches, as the sheer volume of positive support that was voiced from the first to last whistle was absolutely fantastic. Parents re-visiting their own rugby prowess sprang to mind.

Games were competed for in the Registration group (age 4/5), the under 7, under 8, under 10, under 12 and over 13s, the commitment, enthusiasm and skill at the younger age groups was a joy to watch, whilst the older age groups got more physical and technical in their approach to the game.

As the tournament drew to a close it became apparent that the last match of the day a 7s contest, between the Giants and the Pirates, in the 13 and over age group would be a winner take all. The crowd gathered for what was a furiously gritty encounter, with the Pirates coming out on top.

With the rugby drawn to close it was onto the prize giving, Col Alistair Deas the Divisional Commander Logistical Support presented the trophies to the winning age categories:

Registration (4/5) - Drawn between Giants and Pirates
Under 7 - Pipers
Under 8 - Giants
Under 10 - Pirates
Under 12 - Giants
13 and over - Pirates

With the 13 and over match being the decider Paderborn Pirates were presented with the trophy for overall Tournament Winners.

This was the first Tournament of its type to be held in BA (G) and an overwhelming success. That success was due to the hosting club Gutersloh Giants, and in particular WO2 Jase Lowe the organizer for a superbly run tournament and the parents and children who despite a dodgy and long day remained enthusiastic throughout.

The next tournament will be run by Paderborn Pirates at the Bad Lippsringe sports pitches on Sunday 21 Nov 04, for further details call your club organiser.