THE annual Warrington Armed Forces Day- Septon Trophy event at Crosfields Rugby Club on Saturday has been hailed a huge success.
Organiser Al Boyle described the festival as “possibly the biggest yet” and thanked all those involved for helping make it such a special occasion.
In the masters tournament, Crosfields ARLFC Masters 🆚 United Kingdom Armed Forces Rugby League 🆚 GB Police Rugby League Masters saw three hard fought and thrilling 0-0 draws … if you know… you know! A few tired bodies all later suitably medicated at the bar. The third half was an extensive one!
The Birdsall Bowl of the Royal Marines 🆚 Army Rugby League Development XIII lived up to all of the hype and was an absolute belter of a game, evenly matched throughout, hard, physical and fast. Fiery at times as passions raised the ‘bootnecks’ were hit by a couple of key injuries that changed the tide. The Army went on to win 14-30 with some stunning trys. Gracious in defeat and mates in the bar, rugby is the real winner, but the scoreboard had it at: 14-24.
The War of the Roses between the Duke Of Lancaster’s Regiment 🆚 The Royal Yorkshire Regiment produced a dominant LANCS display. Two tries in the opening 10 minutes had the white rose grew on the back foot and it took time for them to gel (not really surprising, sing almost half of the team were on exercise in Kenya just two days before!) Dead eye passing and using the STRONG wind to their advantage, the Lancs’ points kept coming. The Yorks gave it everything, crossed the line themselves, had 2 further attempts struck off, and battled through until the VERY end. The Red Rose Regiment took the spoils 27-4 in a tremendous game capped off by some glorious joint team singing from the teams’ Fijian players… outstanding and everything rugby and comradeship should be.
In the ‘Sephton ‘Trophy game between Crosfields 🆚 Army Rugby League Senior XIII it was always going to be special. The Army’s 40-8 loss in 2024 still stung and the aim of the army team was to right that wrong. In blustery conditions (putting it mildly!) both teams initially struggled to get flowing but when it clicked, is was the Army that got to grips best, and in some style! A big, fast, hard-hitting mobile pack and backs that take your breath away with their turn of speed. One of the best Army teams seen at Crosfields yet. The blue and gold boys NEVER gave up, though, pushing every ball and charging hard right up until the final whistle in a game that had everything. Passions on both sides always run as hot as the weather, and winning means that much to all. The Army avenged last year’s defeat with a 40-14 victory.
A fantastic day of rugby, entertaining, skilful and ferocious at times. Bring on 2026!
Mayor Mo Hussain with Ian Sephton – Tom Sephton’s father
Festival organiser Al Boyle said after the event:
“Just want to say an ENORMOUS THANK YOU to everyone who came along and supported Warrington Armed Forces Day – ‘Sephton ‘Trophy this weekend, I hope the sunburn is calming down!
“The 2025 festival has been a very special one, our biggest and best yet? (our huge apologies for having to close the car park at 12:20… we simply couldn’t squeeze another car in! Top tip for 2026… ditch the car at home)
“THANK YOU ALL! Did a little breeze put us off? Not one bit! How to thank everyone properly for all of their efforts and support is so very, VERY difficult… I don’t want to miss anyone out … but I know that I inevitably will … so, on behalf of the team, ’sorry in advance if I have!
To all of you who braved the weather…heat…sunshine and wind (‘Crosfields’ has its own weather system) and came along to show your support we hope that you all had a great time in great company at a fantastic festival of Armed Forces rugby THANK YOU! … I hope ‘you enjoyed it, the games were exceptional!
The Volunteers…
Every volunteer involved in putting on the fantastic event is just that, a volunteer, they don’t have to do it but they choose to give up an inordinate amount of time and effort to make sure that everyone who comes along to the ‘Sephton ‘Trophy has a safe, fun, enjoyable, and sometimes exciting, day out. The people working behind the scenes in the build up and yesterday really do deserve our thanks. My personal THANK YOUs go out to Lorraine, Bernie, Lynette, Ali, Andy, Paul, the Jones’, Brian, Lynnda, Tara Stacey (Courtney), The Graham Family Mark, Lyne, and Niamh. Weeks of sourcing the charity raffle & tombola prizes and then running the draws means that they never get to watch a game! THANK YOU
The Crosfields Crew…
Organising and delivering the amount of beer (and fruit based soft drinks… and Gin) that was consumed takes some doing! Hat’s go off and HUGE thanks to Tony, Bob, Ronnie, Neil, Jo, Emma and all of the others who rallied to the call to man the pumps … THANK YOU!
The Crosfields Juniors and the BIG Crosfields BBQ! Slaving over the hot coals it couldn’t have been a nice place to be but the laughter from the tent could be heard halfway down by the pitch! A fantastic effort guys and THANK YOU so much!
The Rugby…
To the Match Officials, THANK YOU! Without you the games simply wouldn’t happen … I for one would never get in the middle of all that, I take all my hats off to you all!
Crosfields LEGENDS lived up to their title in the Friday night game against the Army Rugby League Masters! The Army avenged their 2024 defeat… in some style! Champagne rugby in front of a great crowd! Some amazing rugby on show as the years were rolled back (some SORE bodies this week!) THANK YOU to both teams and Alex Thompson and gang for putting it all together… here’s to next year’s re-match FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS …PART 3!
To the Army Rugby League Development and Royal Marines Rugby League Teams THANK YOU! Getting the rugby off to a bang in fantastic style, with no quarter given, hot and fiery from the word go, couldn’t ask for a more entertaining game. Down to the wire and a real contest for the full 80 minutes… what a game! A special mention to Joe Long for all his work behind the scenes, THANK YOU.
To the Duke of Lanc’s Regiment and Royal Yorkshire Regiment teams, THANK YOU for providing one of the toughest, most uncompromising rugby league games in WAR OF THE ROSES history! You are a true credit to your Regiments … be proud, I certainly am.
To the Crosfields XIII and Army Rugby League Senior Teams, THANK YOU! In what can be only described as a ‘hotly contested’ game your commitment to each other and the spectacle on show was incredible, some breathtaking trys and the game was a true testament to every man on the pitch. Can there be a more fitting way to mark the memory of a friend and comrade? THANK YOU ALL.
To Jon Hilton for providing FIRST CLASS medical assistance throughout the day, VERY VERY much appreciated, THANK YOU!
To all those incredibly generous who donated prizes to the Soldiers League Charity Raffle and TOM’bola THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU… your generosity is both outstanding and humbling! Please remember that EVERY SINGLE PENNY from the Raffle and TOM’bola went directly to the Soldiers League Charity yesterday, it’s such a fantastic cause and they do some amazing work with our veterans.
To the Great Sankey Parish Council, your continued support cannot be understated. Enabling the continued delivery of Warrington Armed Forces Day in the ward is immensely appreciated – delivering to the local community, Armed Forces, Rugby, and wider Warrington communities year on year THANK YOU!
To all of the festival’s sponsors, THANK YOU for supporting the event and helping us to make it happen … it isn’t cheap! Your generosity goes a long way to making the day the success that it was… is! From Balls to shirts, from Medals to Trophies you bought it all.
To all the stall holders and activities and displays, thanks for bringing your stands and helping to make Armed Forces Day special, THANK YOU so much! I hope that you had a fun and worthwhile day … you certainly looked like you all enjoyed it and you’re all stars in my view. THANK YOU!
To the photographers that captured the day forever, THANK YOU ALL, please take a bow Jackie Clowes, and John Shirras. You’ve just created a hundred new profile pic’s.
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