Mellor, competing at under 19 level without joining with Stockport for the first time in two seasons, were slow to get going but once they did they claimed some good victories.

First match saw Mellor draw with Wilmslow, if the shooting had been slightly less wayward then Mellor could have racked up a cricket score. As it happened a combination of good saves and wild shots left Mellor thinking what might have been.

The next game was a close defeat to eventual finalists Rochdale.

After a sluggish start the young Mellor side began to gel as a unit especially in defence keeping a dangerous Brooklands side to just 1 goal with some great stops from Lewis Curtis filling in between the sticks. Ultimately running out 2-1 winners!

That victory gave Mellor some momentum as they came up against pre tournament favourites and ultimately winners Poynton and Mellor showed that they can compete with the good sides with a 2-2 draw. Tom Wright snatching the equaliser with just seconds on the clock after Poynton thought they’d grabbed the winner.

Unfortunately, Mellor’s slow start saw them finish the round robin stages in 5th which meant they just missed out on the chance to compete for the Ted Donnet cup and instead were through to the plate semi final where they would face a joined team of Mersey/Wacs.

Mellor suffered a big set back though during the semi final. Tom Hallam, who had been Mellor’s stand out defender up to this point, took a shot to the side of the helmet which left him requiring four stitches. A quick reshuffle at the back, a regain of focus and a Jake Hutchinson man up goal enabled Mellor to come through a difficult semi final and a rematch with Brooklands awaited in the final.

The final was to be a very different match to the previous encounter with Brooklands. Too many unnecessary penalties coupled with some quality finishes allowed Brooklands to gain a good lead. Jack Robbo got one back for Mellor but Brooklands kept the ball well, seeing out the game comfortably in the end.

A great tournament overall with some great lacrosse exhibited by all teams present. Coach Danny left without a voice through all the shouting at his players, who often seemed selectively deaf, though he did appear to be quite satisfied with the way they progressed throughout the tournament, which bodes well for the start of the under 19 league season at the end of the month.