FOREST rugby legend Natasha Hunt returned to familiar ground as the first-ever Mo Hunt Cup brought young players from across England and Wales to the Forest of Dean.

The landmark girls’ rugby festival was staged at Bell Sports & Rugby Park on Saturday, February 21, with ten Under-12 teams taking part in a competition celebrating the rapid growth of the girls’ game.

At the end of a memorable day of rugby, Cardiff Quins were crowned champions, but the tournament was widely praised for the opportunity it provided young players to compete, make friends and be inspired by one of the Forest’s most successful sporting figures.

The event was named after Drybrook-born England international Hunt, a two-time Women’s Rugby World Cup winner who began her rugby journey in the Forest of Dean before going on to represent her country on the world stage.

Holding the tournament at the home of Cinderford RFC gave the day an added local significance, with many families travelling from across the region to take part.

The emotional highlight came during the presentation ceremony when Hunt stepped forward to hand the trophy to the Cardiff Quins squad after an impressive series of matches.

For many of the young players watching on, it was a moment that perfectly captured the purpose of the competition — seeing a Forest-born international player presenting a trophy that carries her name.

Speaking afterwards, Hunt said she was proud to see the event take place in the area where she grew up.

She said: “I am incredibly honoured to have the Cup named after me. To see it played in the Forest, where I grew up, on the very pitch my grandad once played on, was truly special.

“The girls were outstanding. There was some fantastic quality rugby on display, but more importantly there was so much joy and fun throughout the day — not just within teams, but between them as well.

“To me, that’s exactly what rugby is all about.”

The competition brought together Under-12 sides from across England and Wales, showcasing the strength of youth development in the sport.

Drybrook fielded two teams at the tournament, with their first side finishing third overall after a strong series of performances.

Barkers Butts finished as runners-up behind Cardiff Quins, while the remaining teams battled it out throughout the day in a friendly but competitive atmosphere.

The event was sponsored by SF Planning and organised with the support of volunteers, coaches and officials who helped ensure the day ran smoothly.

Hunt also thanked those who helped make the competition possible, particularly parents and coaches who support young players week after week.

She added: “Thank you to Gloucester and SF Planning for getting the tournament off the ground, and to the parents and coaches who make sacrifices every single week to make opportunities like this possible.”

The success of the inaugural Mo Hunt Cup has already raised hopes that the competition will return in the future.

For Cinderford RFC, hosting the event also reinforced the growing reputation of Bell Sports & Rugby Park as a venue capable of staging major community rugby events while helping inspire the next generation of players.

And for the young girls who took part, the chance to play in a tournament bearing the name of a Forest rugby legend made it a day unlikely to be forgotten.