Here are the winners of the Kenilworth Rugby Football Club short story competition

The winners of Kenilworth Rugby Football Club's short story competition have been announced.

The competition was launched last month inviting KRFC mini and junior members and their friends and sibling to take part.

Now two winners have been selected; Matilda Henley, aged 11 and Benjamin Crow, age 6 and you can read their stories below.

Jai Purewal, director of rugby at KRFC, said: "When it became clear that we were going into lock-down, we set about thinking of ways in which we could keep in touch with members young and old.

"The short story competition was designed to encourage children to be creative and imaginative in their thinking and writing.

"For a first- year attempt, against the current backdrop, we are over the moon with the number of entries we received.

"Huge congratulations to everyone who entered, I know the judges loved reading the stories.

"Congratulations go to Ben and Matilda for their winning entries. I particularly liked the creativity of Ben’s story where he has the Mr. Men playing rugby, and then Matilda who focussed on her enjoyment of visiting the club and meeting her friends.

"Special thanks to everyone who entered, to our judges, Lord Mayor Allison Firth, local author Stav Williams, KRFC Women’s Captain Becky Lane and Club President, Willie Whitesmith.

"The final thank yous go to the prize sponsors, Kenilworth Weekly News for publishing the winning stories and the Wedding Pizza Company for providing pizza to the winning families- I am sure Ben and Matilda are looking forward to that."

As well as running the short story competition members of the club have been helping other during the lockdown.

Jai added: "With over 1000 members, Kenilworth Rugby Club is probably the largest membership organisation in the town.

"In difficult times we recognise the role we can play in the local community and where possible, look to act as a force for good. During the lock- down, our senior players and members have done their bit where ever possible.

"Be that following government advise to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives, delivering food to elderly members, or volunteering in the production of PPE face masks that have gone to the front line. It’s been fantastic to see the club members rise to the challenge."

Kenilworth Rugby Club is currently recruiting onto the senior men and women's squads. For more information contact Jai Purewal on 07968 135023 of [email protected]

Here are the two winning stories:

I love rugby (sort of!) by Matilda Henley, age 11

I love Sundays because my dad and brother go to their rugby club which gives me and my mum some ‘girly’ time.

“Morning darling,” my mum said, putting down her phone and hugging me.

“The boys have just gone.”

“Yay!” I shouted, happiness filling into me as I squeezed my mum tight.

I love hugs, the reason why I love hugs is because it makes all my worries go away. My mum and I hugged for what seemed like hours but was only a minute. We had a great morning together baking cookies together. I love a time together with my mum.

The next Sunday, I woke up to the same bright shining sun. However this time, when I ate my breakfast super quickly and ran into the lounge, my mum wasn’t there instead my dad and brother were sat there on the vast sofas.

“You’re coming with us to rugby today.”

Mumbled my dad. I was a bit disappointed.

When we arrived at the Cow Patch (the place where my brother and dad play rugby), I pulled out the flower patterned rug and sat down. Since my dad was a coach, I was on my own.

With my hat over my head, I lay down blissfully.

Then suddenly, “Matilda!” shouted someone.

I sprang to my feet, and looked around. It was Imogen! She had emerged out of her car and ran towards me. Her brother also plays rugby whilst her dad goes for a bike ride.

Imogen and I are often watching the boring rugby together so we have a regular routine.

Firstly, we ordered burgers for the end of the game, next we walk round the pitches and look for other friends. After a long walk we returned to the café. Fishing out our money, we bought hot chocolate and a mega pencil each.

As Amelia’s mum works in the café, Amelia came over to us and sat down.

“Can you do the mug run today?” Ameila asked.

Smiles lit up our faces and in a high pitch loud squeak we replied “yes of course we can!”

So after we finished our hot chocolate and mega pencils, Amelia and her mum supplied us with a washing- up bucket to collect all the mugs on the pitches in. Imogen and I love doing the mug run because we love to chat together.

We chatted about boys and what annoying things they do, which went on endlessly, but it passed the time while we collected the mugs.

Then suddenly, a crowd of people came rushing over, it was the end of rugby. We collected our delicious burgers. Me, my dad and brother walked over to an empty table whilst Imogen and her family went back home. We ate in silence, engrossed in our burgers.

So you could say I love rugby!

Benjamin and the Rugby Match, by Benjamin Crow, age 6

Benjamin was very excited he was going to play against the hardest team in the world, South Africa.

So he got up very early to have his favourite breakfast egg on toast.

And when he stepped onto the pitch he was nervous.

But when he saw his team come onto the pitch he thought he was going to win. Because he had Mr Grumpy, Mr Topsy-Turvy, Little Miss Chatterbox, Mr Noisy and Mr Mischeif.

Each of Benjamin’s players could do a brilliant rugby trick. The whistle blew for the start of the game. The South African team had the ball to start off with, they almost got a try but Mr Mischief did a great tackle, snatched the ball, ran towards the other side of the pitch, diving under South Africans’ legs, and scored a try!

All of Benjamin’s team cheered. When Benjamin’s team had stopped cheering it was South Africa’s turn.

They quickly ran passing the ball down the pitch a player was about to kick the ball through the rugby posts when suddenly... Mr Noisy clomps down the pitch, CLOMP, CLOMP, CLOMP! The ground shakes making the player drop the ball.

Mr Noisy picks the ball up and Noisy runs to score a try. Benjamin could not believe his team was winning!

However, in the next ten minutes the South African team scored 5 tries. Benjamin was worried that his team were going to lose. Next Mr Topsy-Turvy had the ball. as you know he always does things topsy-turvy so Mr Topsy-Turvy is running on his hands upside down carrying the ball in his feet handstanded all the way to the try line.

South African team just stared. The score was now 5/3. Then South Africa had the ball. This made Mr Grumpy suuuuuper angry.

The South Africans kicked the ball high into the sky. Mr Grumpy saw his chance and snatched the ball. He stomped over the try line. The score was 5/4. Little Mrs Chatterbox was busy chatting to Mr Grumpy about his great kick.

Because she was chatting so much she almost missed Benjamin’s pass! But she just got the ball and chattering to herself ran to the other side of the pitch and scored a try! Now both teams were drawing. The score was 5/5.

There was four minutes of the game left and Benjamin’s team had the ball. The players were nervous the next kick would win the game. From Benjamins training he knew he needed to work as a team.

Benjamin started with the ball first he passed the ball to Mr Noisy who passes it to Little Miss Chatterbox, who dropped it, dived for the bal and got it then he passed it to Mr Topsy-Turvy and he passed it to Benjamin and SCORES THE WINNING TRY!!! Benjamin’s team were amused.