Mike Beard and Dan Hercus were remembered as four teams took part in the tournament named in their honour at Lincoln Rugby Club.

The Touch Rugby tournament started out as a match between Lincoln Touch and Isle Touch to honour the memory of Mike Beard who sadly died in 2015. Mike was the founder of Lincoln Touch and key to getting the sport off the ground in Lincolnshire.

The match grew into a tournament which is now in its third year and played in memory of both Mike, and Isle Touch player Dan Hercus who sadly died last year.

Lincoln Touch won the first three shields, but there is a new name on the shield this year - Isle Impalas.

The two sides faced off in the opening match of the tournament, with Isle edging a tough battle by 5 tries to 4.

MB All Stars then took to the pitch to face an improving Lincolnshire Lancers side, who introduced several new players to the sport at the tournament. Both sides played with great spirit with the All Stars emerging as 7-3 winners.

MB All Stars lost their next game 7-2 to eventual winners Isle, before Lincoln Touch got back to winning ways by beating the Lancers 7-0.

Isle then beat the Lancers by the same scoreline, but the result doesn’t reflect the big effort and determination shown by their opponents.

The final group stage game saw Lincoln Touch win a high-scoring match 8-5 against MB All Stars.

MB All Stars secured third place with a 5-3 win against the Lancers before the same two sides as last year met in the final - Lincoln Touch and Isle.

Although Lincoln scored the opening try of the match, a hat-trick from Joe Eves helped Isle to an 8-2 victory.

Joseph Keeber grabbed a brace of tries for Isle and Head Coach Matt Wilkinson, Stew Cullen, and Thomas Bennet each scored one. Isle said the highlight of their tries was the 60 metre interception scored by 11-year-old Bennett, while Gareth Lamb helped to control the game for them.

Lincoln battled hard and their tries were scored by Fin Daniels and Emma Ryland.

Lincoln Touch Coach Rob Smith, who was a close friend of Mike Beard’s, said: “To host the Mike Beard and Dan Hercus Lincolnshire Touch Tournament close in the 10th anniversary year of the passing of Mike Beard, founder of Lincoln Touch, was a pleasure and an honour.

“It’s an amazing feeling to see Touch Rugby doing so well in Lincolnshire.

“Mike had a vision of Touch Rugby being an integral in the sport throughout Lincolnshire and I think clubs are fulfilling that.

“In Lincoln his memory will live on for many more years as we grow this annual tournament.”

Matt Wilkinson, Head Coach at Isle Touch Rugby, added: “It was a fantastic day in the sunshine to get together and remember Mike on the 10th anniversary of his passing and Dan 16 months on.

“Both players were big parts of their respective clubs as founder members and prominent touch players in the region so its great to get together as a group and remember them whilst playing a game they both loved.

“As always the tournament was played in great spirits with some fantastic rugby on show on a pitch made for free flowing action. “After three years of close calls Isle Touch are delighted to finally take home the shield with a victory over a young Lincoln side who show a great deal of promise for the future.

“Many thanks to everyone involved in pulling together the tournament from all four teams, Lincoln RUFC for brilliantly hosting the day and also to our full time referees Warren Steele and Freya Betts who worked tirelessly to officiate eight games in warm conditions.

“We look forward to defending our trophy next year when we can hopefully attract more teams to join in what is an incredible day.”

Around £375 was raised on the day and Lincolnshire Lancers were given the opportunity to decide on a charity for the funds to be donated to, which will be Bearded Fishermen.