A strong Hampshire side went unbeaten to emerge victorious in Bank Holiday Monday's first South and West County Championship Festival, defeating eventual runners-up Devon in a decisive and fiery fourth round encounter.

The South West season got underway with a bumper afternoon of Rugby League at Aretians RFC in Bristol. Devon, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Somerset and Wiltshire all fielded teams, playing each other in a round-robin series of 30 minute games under full 13-a-side rules.

Devon and Hampshire met in the fourth round for what would be the deciding game. Both sides came into the round with two wins from two, making this fixture crucial in deciding the winners of the competition. Devon did not benefit from a rest in the third round. Hampshire, who thrashed Somerset 32 - 0 in their previous game, broke through the Devon defence on the opening set, second rower Oli Johnson feeding the ball to the supporting Mike Cronin to score.
Another brace of tries and bruising defence gave Hants a commanding 18 - 4 half-time lead, George Tropy besting the windy conditions to convert each of their scores.

A spirited Devon fightback in the second half saw them equal Hampshire's tally of three tries, Exeter University's Luke Evans re-gathering a last-tackle chip over the line for a superb solo try with only minutes to go. Hants' goal line defence was excellent to hold Devon out in the final stages and the three goal kicks proved to be the difference, the final score 18 - 12 to Hampshire.

Despite Devon performing well in a 28 - 14 victory over Somerset in the final round, Hampshire put in another convincing display to defeat Gloucestershire 28 - 4 and top the table outright.

Although Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire did not manage to win any of their games, they registered draws against one another in competitive but evenly matched encounters. Two competition points apiece seemed little reward for their efforts.

Hampshire were deservedly crowned County Champions after their flawless showing, but the biggest triumph belongs to the continued growth of Rugby League in the South West. Despite their fourth placed finish, Gloucester coach Steve Lee was pleased with his side's showing. "It was a new side and a lot of guys have gained valuable experience in Rugby League in a very competitive environment.

"It was a very good start to our preparations for the season."

Devon coach Rob Stockwell was also delighted with his team's performance. "With little preparation, we've put together a really good series of results," said Stockwell. "It's great to bring together players from the six clubs in the county, and we're really looking forward to meeting the Cornish again in August."

The Rugby League Conference South West and West of England competitions start this weekend.

Results:

Round 1
Gloucestershire 8 - 14 Devon
Hampshire 16 - 4 Wiltshire

Round 2
Somerset 10 - 10 Gloucestershire
Wiltshire 10 - 22 Devon

Round 3
Gloucestershire 16 - 16 Wiltshire
Hampshire 32 - 0 Somerset

Round 4
Wiltshire 12 - 20 Somerset
Devon 12 - 18 Hampshire

Round 5
Gloucestershire 4 - 28 Hampshire
Somerset 14 - 28 Devon

A strong Hampshire side went unbeaten to emerge victorious in Bank Holiday Monday's first South and West County Championship Festival, defeating eventual runners-up Devon in a decisive and fiery fourth round encounter.

The South West season got underway with a bumper afternoon of Rugby League at Aretians RFC in Bristol. Devon, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Somerset and Wiltshire all fielded teams, playing each other in a round-robin series of 30 minute games under full 13-a-side rules.

Devon and Hampshire met in the fourth round for what would be the deciding game. Both sides came into the round with two wins from two, making this fixture crucial in deciding the winners of the competition. Devon did not benefit from a rest in the third round. Hampshire, who thrashed Somerset 32 - 0 in their previous game, broke through the Devon defence on the opening set, second rower Oli Johnson feeding the ball to the supporting Mike Cronin to score.
Another brace of tries and bruising defence gave Hants a commanding 18 - 4 half-time lead, George Tropy besting the windy conditions to convert each of their scores.

A spirited Devon fightback in the second half saw them equal Hampshire's tally of three tries, Exeter University's Luke Evans re-gathering a last-tackle chip over the line for a superb solo try with only minutes to go. Hants' goal line defence was excellent to hold Devon out in the final stages and the three goal kicks proved to be the difference, the final score 18 - 12 to Hampshire.

Despite Devon performing well in a 28 - 14 victory over Somerset in the final round, Hampshire put in another convincing display to defeat Gloucestershire 28 - 4 and top the table outright.

Although Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire did not manage to win any of their games, they registered draws against one another in competitive but evenly matched encounters. Two competition points apiece seemed little reward for their efforts.

Hampshire were deservedly crowned County Champions after their flawless showing, but the biggest triumph belongs to the continued growth of Rugby League in the South West. Despite their fourth placed finish, Gloucester coach Steve Lee was pleased with his side's showing. "It was a new side and a lot of guys have gained valuable experience in Rugby League in a very competitive environment.

"It was a very good start to our preparations for the season."

Devon coach Rob Stockwell was also delighted with his team's performance. "With little preparation, we've put together a really good series of results," said Stockwell. "It's great to bring together players from the six clubs in the county, and we're really looking forward to meeting the Cornish again in August."

The Rugby League Conference South West and West of England competitions start this weekend.

Results:

Round 1
Gloucestershire 8 - 14 Devon
Hampshire 16 - 4 Wiltshire

Round 2
Somerset 10 - 10 Gloucestershire
Wiltshire 10 - 22 Devon

Round 3
Gloucestershire 16 - 16 Wiltshire
Hampshire 32 - 0 Somerset

Round 4
Wiltshire 12 - 20 Somerset
Devon 12 - 18 Hampshire

Round 5
Gloucestershire 4 - 28 Hampshire
Somerset 14 - 28 Devon