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[MidlandsRugbyLeague]

Pre tournament favourites The Paget All Stars took home the spoils in the 2012 Midlands Rugby League 9s competition after a battling 14-8 win over host club the Coventry Dragons in the final. The All Stars were made up of players from Loughborough University.

The two eventual finalists had the honour of playing the opening game of the competition in the Premier Group. The fast paced encounter went the way of the Coventry Dragons as The Paget All Stars appeared to struggle to adjust to the high paced 9s version of the sport. The other two teams in group two were next out and Telford Raiders overcame competition debutants the Coventry Warriors 12-4. The remainder of the group fixtures saw Coventry Dragons progress to semi-finals unbeaten as group winners, alongside Telford Raiders and The Paget All Stars.

The Development Group was a three teamed affair with one team set to progress to the semi finals. After the North East Worcestershire Ravens had played and lost the opening two matches in the group it came down to the match between the Coventry Dragons B side and a merged side of Bedford Tigers and Telford Raiders to decide who took the fourth and final semi final berth. The Bedford Raiders, as they were affectionately known for the day, came out on top winning 24-6.

The game between the Dragons and the Telford Raiders was the pick of the two semi finals. Both sides having multiple chances to win the match but ultimately it was the clinical finishing of the Dragons that proved the difference as they scored 5 tries in a 22-10 victory. In the second semi-final The Paget All Stars, having grown into the 9s format, produced a high quality display of attacking Rugby League overcoming the Bedford/Telford team 48-0.

With none of the previous winners taking part there was guaranteed to be a new name on the trophy and it came down to The Paget All Stars and Coventry Dragons to fight for that honour in the final. The All Stars started the final on fire as they raced into an early 10-0 lead. While many in the crowd began talking about how many points this game would finish the Dragons had other ideas. After a tense few minutes the Dragons managed to cross the line twice, but unable to convert either the score was 10-8. In the 13th minute of the 15 minute encounter the All Stars grounded the ball close to the dead ball line and after referee Marc Bazeley had consulted with his touch judge the try was given. Another two minutes of solid All Stars defence were enough to hang on for the victory.

Full Results

Development Group
Bedford/Telford 12 - 4 NEW Ravens
Coventry Dragons B 16 – 4 NEW Ravens
Bedford/Telford 24 – 6 Coventry Dragons B

Group Two
Coventry Dragons 18 – 12 Paget All Stars
Coventry Warriors 4 – 12 Telford Raiders
Coventry Dragons 16 – 4 Telford Raiders
Paget All Stars 20 – 4 Coventry Warriors
Paget All Stars 24 – 0 Telford Raiders
Coventry Warriors 12 – 14 Coventry Dragons

Shield Final
Coventry Warriors 18 – 10 NEW Ravens

Semi Finals
Coventry Dragons 22 – 10 Telford Raiders
Bedford/Telford 0 – 48 Paget All Stars

Final
Paget All Stars 14 – 8 Coventry Dragons


Previous Winners
2008 - Coventry Bears
2009 - Coventry Bears
2010 - North Derbyshire Chargers
2011 - Chester Gladiators