VIGO RFC are all set for this weekend’s Papa Johns Community Cup Finals
Vigo are aiming to finish their season on a high by lifting silverware at StoneX Stadium, home of Saracens on Sunday 7 May in the Papa Johns Community Cup Finals.
Following the excitement of the Papa Johns Women’s Community Cup and Men’s Regional 1 Championship Finals last weekend where Driffield RUFC, Dings Crusaders, Cheltenham Tigers 1st XV and 2nd XV, Workington Finches and Drybrook all triumphed, a further 23 finals will take place across the country on Saturday and Sunday. The second set of Finals Days will be another celebration of grassroots rugby where players and supporters will make memories to last a lifetime.
Vigo RFC take on Wells RFC in the Papa Johns Community Counties 2 South Shield Final as the two sides battle for cup glory. Matches are free to enter and the local community is encouraged to come down to support the team.
Vigo began their journey (oh, how I hate that chiched word) with an AWO against London Exiles. Cheltenham Saracens visited Swanswood and were sent home after a rssounding, but hard fought 41-12 victory for the Villagers, Adam Fitzgerald starring with 5 tries. Next up an away game at Royston in Hertfordshire, where again the scoreline of 21-43 didn’t reflect the tough match. Hastings & Bexhill were to be the semi-final opponents, but there was one small problem. Well, actually not that small. Vigo were due to be on their annual Rugby Tour to Northampton the same weekend. Intense negotiations for a switch came to nought, so Vigo had to travel back from Northampton to play the game. Luckily the Tour shenanigans didn’t seem to affect the players to a large degree and Vigo came through 45-22, Fitzgerald bagging a hat-trick. Obviously Papa Johns has become one of Adam’s favourite take-aways. For Vigo to reach such a prestigious final is quite incredible. Vigo civil parish has about 2000 inhabitants and yet here the rugby club is, competing against clubs with much bigger populations - after all Wells is a city ! Although formed in 1969, Vigo RFC has had a rather peripatetic history, with various grounds their home until settling at Swanswood in the early 1980’s. Building their present clubhouse, largely through the efforts of their members, they now compete in Counties 2 Kent. Their Junior section which supplies the majority of players to the playing sides, has grown over the years and continue to achieve outstanding success against sides with much bigger playing resources. The Club has been galvanised by the success; the pride is apparent throughout the club. win or lose, Vigo RFC will be proud of their achievement and will hope to play with pride and sportsmanship
On Saturday, Sixways hosts the Papa Johns Men’s Regional 1 Bowl, Shield and Plate Finals, while StoneX welcomes Counties 1, 2, 3 and 4 and Regional 2 men’s teams competing in the Papa Johns Men’s South Plate, and the Darlington Arena plays host to the North Plate Finals.
The rugby action continues nationwide on Sunday 7 May. Alongside the Papa Johns North Shield finals at the Darlington Arena, StoneX will host the South Shield finals and Twickenham Stadium will welcome Regional 2 and Counties 1- 4 sides competing for the Papa Johns Men’s Championship trophy. Full fixtures are available to view here
Over 500 clubs have competed for a place in one of the 29 finals across the women’s and men’s game during the inaugural season of the Papa Johns Community Cup, which was created to provide a crescendo to the end of the grassroots season, keeping players engaged throughout the spring and giving clubs a chance to compete for silverware whatever their final league positions.

Through the Papa Johns Community Cup, clubs have been able to play different opposition and visit new places, while others have reignited old local rivalries. Alongside the incredible array of talent on display, the competition has showcased rugby’s values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment and sportsmanship.

England Rugby Men’s Defence Coach Kevin Sinfield and former Red Roses’ skipper Sarah Hunter were both at last weekend’s Papa Johns Community Cup Finals Day to support the teams.

Kevin Sinfield said: “It was brilliant to watch the first set of Papa Johns Community Cup Finals and to meet some of the teams. The connection between the community game and the professional game is so important. We need each other.
“It’s been great to see the passion and the support for teams, and to understand what it means to players to be in a Cup final with their mates. The players and the volunteers here today, who put so much time and effort into supporting players and their communities, will create some incredible memories.
“Grassroots sport is massively important, that feeling you get being part of a community club, a sense of belonging, the way that people are so welcoming and supportive. Also, the standards and values you get from community sport and the memories and friendships you make. Some of my best mates are still from when I first started playing as a 7-year-old. Rugby gives you some incredible things and you should never forget that.”
Sarah Hunter added: “Grassroots rugby is huge, it is the foundation of our game and without it, we don’t have internationals, every player who pulls on a white shirt has come from their grassroots club or school.
“I played at Novocastrians, it makes you the player that you are, it teaches you the values of rugby, the respect and friendships that run through you as you get older. I wish all teams taking part this weekend the best of luck in what I hope will be a fantastic occasion for all clubs involved.”