Burnham U9s made a triumphant return to the Westcliff Festival last Sunday, and this time, the weather was firmly on their side. A far cry from last year’s mud bath, this year’s festival saw glorious sunshine, perfectly matched by the energy and enthusiasm of Burnham’s young stars.

Fully equipped with a complete squad, a gazebo, camping chairs, and even a hot water urn, Burnham looked every bit the polished, professional outfit. Spirits were high from the outset, with the team buoyed by Thursday’s sharp training session and the added excitement of Henry’s 9th birthday.

From the very first warm-up drill, it was clear Burnham had come to play. Across four impressive matches, the team showcased the hallmarks of their season—quick thinking, dynamic running, rock-solid defence, and a relentless team spirit that’s become their trademark.

With the sun shining down, Burnham’s players delivered some of their best rugby yet, putting into action everything they’ve learned under the expert coaching of Katherine and Dan. Running lines were clever, tackles were fearless, and teamwork was on full display. While there’s still some work to be done around focus and consistency, Katherine was full of praise for the overall performance.

Player of the Tournament honours went to Albie, whose effort, focus and tenacity stood out across all four games. His tackling was relentless, his energy boundless, and his attacking play fearless. While there’s room to improve the timing of his passing, Albie’s contribution was key to Burnham’s success and earned him well-deserved recognition.

As the season nears its end, with just two matches left, Burnham U9s can hold their heads high. The progress each player has made under Katherine and Dan’s guidance is remarkable, and the whole team should be proud of how far they’ve come.

Well done Burnham. Well done Albie. Let’s finish the season strong!