photo by Mark Harris

Keiron Cunningham wasn’t the only Welshman to taste success on Cup Final weekend after Wales picked up the Shield trophy in the prestigious annual Middlesex Nines tournament.

The Welsh side contained some of the best players from the Conference Premier sides and did well to win the Shield after facing many first choice players from countries around the world in the 16-team international event at London Skolars’ New River Stadium.

Wales made the perfect start to the day after they beat a South Sea Islands select side 18-4 but a 4-22 defeat to Tatarstan and an 18-18 draw with Ireland saw them just miss out on a quarter-final spot in the main competition.

However in the Shield competition, Wales went from strength to strength after beating an English Conference select 30-4 in the quarter-finals, Scotland 14-4 in the semis before edging out Holland 16-10 to take the trophy.

Wales Rugby League’s Development Officer Wayne Williams said: “I’m really proud of the team. They all played well against such experienced opponents and I’m pleased we got such a good squad out there at this stage of the season. Christian Roets (pictured above), Mark Wheeler and Morgan Lovell all especially stood out and were the experience in quite a youthful line-up. The future of Wales Rugby League is looking good after these performances.”

The full tournament results and standings were…

Group 1
Wales vs. South Sea Islands 18:4
Ireland vs. Tatarstan 6:4
Wales vs. Tatarstan 4:22
Ireland vs. South Sea Islands 6:6
Wales vs. Ireland 18:18
Tatarstan vs. South Sea Islands 20:0

Group 2
France vs. BARLA 12:26
Scotland vs. London Origin 10:20
France vs. London Origin 4:30
Scotland vs. BARLA 4:16
France vs. Scotland 14:10
London Origin vs. BARLA 10:10

Group 3
South Africa vs. RLC IX 12:0
Russia vs. Holland 28:0
South Africa vs. Holland 16:10
Russia vs. RLC IX 34:4
South Africa vs. Russia 8:8
Holland vs. RLC IX 20:6

Group 4
Royal Engineers vs. Euro Presidents IX 22:6
GB Students vs. Serbia 4:8
Royal Engineers vs. Serbia 22:8
GB Students vs. Euro Presidents IX 6:14
Royal Engineers vs. GB Students 40:4
Serbia vs. Euro Presidents IX 20:4

In tournament ¼ finales pass (from 1st to 8th place):
Tatarstan, Ireland, London Origin, BARLA, Russia, South Africa, British Army Royal Engineers, Serbia

Tournament ¼ finals results:
Tatarstan vs. South Africa 18:4
London Origin vs. Serbia 18:4
Russia vs. Ireland 22:0
Royal Engineers vs. BARLA 6:8

Tournament ½ finals results:
Tatarstan vs. Russia 10:4
London Origin vs. BARLA 6:10

Tournament Final:
Tatarstan vs. BARLA 8:20
BARLA won London MX9s for 2006

In shield ¼ finales pass (from 9th to 16th place):
Wales, South Sea Islands, France, Scotland, Holland, RLC IX, Euro Presidents IX, GB Students

Shield ¼ finales results:
Holland vs. South Sea Islands 10:8
RLC IX vs. Wales 4:30
France vs. GB students 16:10
Scotland vs. Euro Presidents IX 24:16

Shield ½ finales results:
Holland vs. France 22:20
Wales vs. Scotland 14:4

Shield Final:
Holland vs. Wales 10:16
Wales won Shield Finale – 9th place on London MX9s for 2006

Tournament standings:
1. BARLA
2. Tatarstan
3. Russia
4. London Origin
5. British Army Royal Engineers
6. South Africa
7. Serbia
8. Ireland
9. Wales
10. Holland
11. France
12. Scotland
13. South Sea Islands
14. Euro Presidents IX
15. GB Students
16. RLC IX

article by Ian Golden
30 August 2006