PREVIEW: British Club Championship Day 2
It is a 9am start for Day 2 of the 2023 British Club Championships at Birmingham with 2 semi-finals for the British Under 14 Club Championship which will be run simultaneously and as a pairs event. Both semi-finals have 4 teams in each with the 1st semi-final seeing Kesgrave, winners for the last 2 years, take on Hethersett, Horspath and Astley & Tyldesley. The 2017 winners Ipswich compete in the other semi-final along with Newport, Hull and Coventry
It is the turn of the Under 12’s at 10.15 and this will be a straight 7 team final featuring pairs from Kesgrave (winners in 2018 & 2021), Hethersett, Astley & Tyldesley, Newport, Hull, Sheffield and Coventry.
The Under 14 Club Championship Final is scheduled to start at 11.30 and this will be a 6 team Final with the top 3 teams from each of the semi-finals
The Open Club Championship will run to a 4 a side formula and will feature 3 semi-finals as 13 teams have entered. The first semi-final at 12.30pm sees 3 teams who have won this event on 11 occasions between them. Horspath are the most successful of these teams having won this competition on 5 occasions including the last 2 years. 4 time winners Wednesfield are also in this semi-final as are twice winners Birmingham with Hethersett completing the line-up.
Semi-Final 2 is scheduled to start at 1.30pm and will see the 2017 winners Newport compete along with Southampton, Bury and Kesgrave
The 3rd Semi-Final at 2.30pm is a 5 team match and will see the 2008 and 2018 winners Great Blakenham line up against Poole (winners in 2019), Ipswich, Fife and Hull
The 1st placed teams from each of the semi-finals will progress directly to the Grand Final at 6pm. The 3 2nd placed teams and the best 3rd placed team will contest a Repechage at 4pm with the winner of this progressing to the Grand Final
Prior to the Open Club Championship Grand Final the Junior Club Championship is scheduled to start at 5pm and this will be a straight 7 team final with pairs from the defending champions Kesgrave, Ipswich (winners in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2021), Poole (winners in 2010, 2011 and 2012), Sheffield (winners in 2007 and 2017), Birmingham (2009 champions), Hethersett and Southampton