More than 2,000 spectators packed into Colchester Rugby Club last weekend for its annual Mini and Midi Rugby Festival.

East Anglian Daily Times: Bishop's Stortford (in blue and white) and Sudbury (in navy) participate in the 33rd annual Colchester RUFC Mini and Midi festival at the Colchester rugby grounds on Sunday, 23 March.Bishop's Stortford (in blue and white) and Sudbury (in navy) participate in the 33rd annual Colchester RUFC Mini and Midi festival at the Colchester rugby grounds on Sunday, 23 March.

In total 93 teams and almost 1,000 players across age groups from under 7 up to under 12 took part in 250 matches on the day, across 15 pitches, at an event which took several months to plan.

The aim of the festival is to promote and support local junior rugby. Teams taking part were Colchester, Bishops Stortford, Maldon, Harwich, Ipswich, Ipswich YM, Stowmarket, Sudbury, Woodbridge, and Hadleigh.

Festival Manager Jack Hedley said: “Each age group had a festival winner plus there were finals for runners up, shield, and plate.

“It was a terrific day and a great advert for local junior rugby and once the whistle blew at 10.30 it was fantastic to see so much activity and hear the encouragement.

“Tribute must be paid to the squad of volunteers who refereed, sold programmes, marshalled the car park, manned the control tents and kept the schedule on track plus the medical, catering, sweet shop, and bar staff.

“Planning starts now for the 2015 Festival!”