There was double home success as Witney hosted the Oxfordshire Mini and Midi Festival at Hailey Road.

Witney triumphed in the Under 12B Cup final and also secured the Under 9B Bowl as more than 1,300 youngsters took part.

Chipping Norton won the Under 10A Shield and Under 9B Shield.

The two-day festival saw good conditions on Saturday, before a heavy downpour on Sunday, but the players relished the muddy action.

London Welsh players Nathan Morris, Rob Lewis and Nick Scott visited on day two alongside community officer Alan Awcock.

Witney RFC’s main sponsor the Blue Boar Inn, also backed the festival.

Blue Boar general manager Rebekah Ellis said: “What a fabulous weekend of sport and what a thrill it was to see so much enthusiasm and team spirit tempered with a competitive edge.

“We were very proud that Witney RFC, which we are delighted to sponsor, put on such a great show, organising more than 1300 players and 100 volunteers.

“With some of the London Welsh players also coming, it made both days a really special event for the young players to remember.”

Henry Purdy, from Milton-under-Wychwood, has been named in the England Under 20 squad for the IRB Junior World Championship.

Leicester Tigers’ back Purdy was part of England’s victorious squad in France last summer.

Now he and his teammates will seek a double in New Zealand, with England kicking off their campaign on June 2.

Purdy was on loan at Greene King IPA Champion-ship club Nottingham, whose season ended with a 64-12 defeat to Oxford-based Lon-don Welsh on Saturday.