The Bears eased to victory in the final of the 10s tournament, defeating Sandal 34 – 10, to lift the Bugle Bowl. Sandal took an early lead with a try from Joe Bedford and were in contention at half time, down narrowly 10 – 12, with the Bears points coming from a try from Danny Booth and a converted try from Laurence Cowen.
The second half was a different affair with the Bears having the edge over their opponents in fitness and they scored four further tries. Booth and Cowen both added a second each, Joe Sanders touched down and struck a superb conversion before Joe Allott rubbed salt in Sandal’s wounds with the final try to seal victory.
10 teams from Bridlington, Goole, Sandal, York and Ionians took part in an entertaining event, somewhat truncated by the non-appearance of Harrogate. In group 2 York progressed to the latter stages with victory over Goole and Bridlington and pushed the Lions hard, taking a two try lead before succumbing 32 -22. The Lions went through unbeaten, also defeating Goole and Brid.
Both the Bears and Sandal progressed to the semi-finals from group 1 and dispatched their semi-final opponents from group 2. Sandal had a comprehensive win over a plucky but tiring York and the Bears narrowly overcame the Lions, to set up a re-match of their opening pool game for the final. Sandal triumphed narrowly in the early encounter and were confident of lifting the trophy. It was not to be and Ali Thomson’s men were the winners of the inaugural 10s competition.