ENGLAND captain Martin Corry was guest of honour at the Clydesdale Bank Kent Midi Rugby Festival, held at the Hop Farm, near Paddock Wood on Sunday.

More than 1,800 young rugby players from 32 clubs in 96 teams took part in 240 matches, so organisers Tunbridge Wells RFC had to manage and arrange the refereeing of more than 40 hours of rugby.

Former Tunbridge Wells player Corry spent hours signing autographs for eager young players and parents in between watching the midi rugby. He was also joined by members of Harlequins RFC first team squad, including New Zealand All Black star Andrew Mehrtens.

After battling through the pool matches and finals, Medway RFC and Old Alleynians shared the under-10s cup, Bromley RFC and Westcombe Park shared the under-11s and Cranbrook won the under-12s cup.

Adrian Wenn, managing partner for Clydesdale Bank in Kent said: "It was a fantastic advert for youth rugby. The quality of the handling and total commitment of these young players bodes well for the future of the sport not just in Kent but potentially at a much higher level."

Simon Hume-Kendall, owner of The Hop Farm, said: "We are delighted with the success as tournaments of this nature will produce the sporting stars of the future. We are looking forward to hosting similar events in the future."

The presentations at the end of the Festival were undertaken by Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark and John Solako, former England footballer and now ambassador for Clydesdale Bank.

The festival, in its 25th year, was also supported by Specsavers opticians which sponsored the referees’ rugby shirts.

Each of the 24 pitches was sponsored by a company, including leading Kent firms such as Kent Reliance Building Society, Pfizer, Lamberhurst Vineyards and Vertex Law.