RUGBY players flocked to the coast for a day at fun at Clacton's annual Beach Festival.

Hosted by Clacton Rugby Club, the bumper event is now in its 14th year.

It was conceived in 2005 and, as in every previous year, Saturday's competition was played out on the sands of the Martello Beach.

Yet again, the sunshine coast lived up to its name and the competition was played under clear blue skies.

The attraction of England's World Cup quarter-final meant entries were slightly down but still 14 teams turned up.

The tournament took place on four different pitches, with rugby clubs from Burnham-on-Crouch, Chelmsford and Harwich and Dovercourt providing their enthusiastic and much-appreciated support.

All this, coupled with a sprinkling of sides from the home club, made for an excellent mix.

As is now customary, the team members were a complete assortment, with youngsters of both sexes mixing with older mums and dads.

Several sides have now kitted themselves out in various costumes, with the visiting sides really making an effort for the day.

With several players and supporters coming back year after year, most have become used to the format of the tournament.

Each team plays at least four games against random opponents before they are split into mini-groups of four.

This ensures everyone has at least a fifth game – effectively a semi-final – and possibly a sixth game – a final.

However, the main object is to have some fun involving a rugby ball and the beach and the competition winners are almost incidental.

Having canvassed the clubs following the World Cup scheduling, play got underway around earlier at just after 11.30am and saw 28 group games that continued throughout the middle of the day before everyone had a short break, which for many included a dip in the sea.

There was then a series of ten semi-finals and finals, with play concluding just after 2pm.

Teams then made their way to Clacton Rugby Club to watch the football and for the presentation of the various trophies.

The four competition winners were Burnham Superheroes, Burnham Lifesavers, Harwich Force and Saville's Slaves.

Clacton Rugby Club are indebted to Tendring District Council and the Essex Rugby Union for their continued support, as well as to all the helpers behind the scenes.

These include those that arrived early to set-up the pitches, tents and gazebos, all the match referees – Ross Cowie, Glyn Jones, Pete Doolin and Matt Mahoney – and finally to main co-ordinator Janet White, who collated all the team entries and made sure everything was in place prior to the day itself.