A weekend of sevens rugby at Hensingham Rugby League Club has raised more than £2,000 for Logan and Gary’s Lions Heart Fund, writes Ben Challis.
The fund was set up in memory of young Hensingham and England Lions player Logan Holgate who died in his sleep in January, and his Lions’ coach Gary McMahon.
On the Sunday, Logan’s aunt Lisa Powe announced that after a series of successful events since the launch of the fund in May, the charity could now start planned heart screening programmes in Cumbria in October.
On Saturday, and despite a series of heavy downpours, Hensingham ARLFC played host to four teams from Wath Brow Hornets, Kells, Distington and the home club, competing in the inaugural LH7 Sevens open age tournament.
After a series of very close matches in the round robin stage, Wath Brow ended the day as champions following a 7-6 win over Hensingham in the Final, with Logan’s elder brother Ellison collecting the trophy for the winning side
On Sunday, the club hosted a three-way Under-12s sevens tournament which was eagerly contested by young players from Hensingham, Maryport and Broughton Red Rose, with Broughton running out the eventual winners.
Players, friends and family could also enjoy some other attractions including a fire engine from Whitehaven’s Green Watch at the Cumbria Fire Fire & Rescue Service, a van from Cumbria Police, and the very interesting (and interested) alpacas from Yeathouse Farm in Frizington.
The afternoon also saw a five-way sevens touch rugby competition with mixed teams as Peak Fitness, Arlecdon Rams Masters and the ‘LH7 Seven’ took on Hensingham and Hensingham U16s. There was also support from players from Cumbria’s three professional rugby league clubs, Whitehaven, Workington Town and Barrow Raider.
Town’s Luke Charlton tured out on both days for his community club Hensingham, and Whitehaven’s two Australian players Lachlan Lanskey and Ryan King appeared for Peak Fitness.
Lanskey seemed transfixed by the traditional coconut shy, repeatedly trying to knock a coconut off its perch, and according to reports, admitting it was very difficult!
The eventual winners of the touch rugby tournament were (rather fittingly) the LH7 Seven over Hensingham U16s, with Logan’s younger bother Fletcher collecting the final trophy of the day.
Lisa said it was particularly gratifying to see so many of Logan’s friends and team mates playing in the tournaments, and that the continued support from the community clubs who provided teams for the event had meant a lot.
She added: “The ongoing support of the RFL and the England Community Lions has helped us build a lasting legacy for Logan and his coach Gary, and over the weekend there were no less than 10 Lions past and present taking part, on a weekend that raised a substantial revenue for the Lions Heart Fund.”
