Poynton completed a NEMLA League and Flags double with Senior Flags Final victory against Brooklands, while Stockport retained their Women’s Senior Flags defeating Timperley in the final.

In the Men’s Senior Flags, Poynton raced out into a big first half lead, before holding off a spirited Brooklands fightback late on to run out 16-13 winners.

Despite Brooklands getting on the board first, five goals without reply gave Poynton a commanding 5-1 lead at the 1/4 time, and a goal to stop the run after the break didn’t change the pattern of play.

England and GB international Alex Russell led the way for the Blackbirds, bagging nine of his team’s 16 goals, including four straight goals in the second quarter, proving unstoppable for large periods on Sunday tormenting the Brooklands’ defence.

Poynton face-off man Tim Ladner was also key, dominating from the X and ensuring a constant stream of possession for Poynton, while limiting any possible Brooklands momentum.

After a comprehensive first half in which Poynton headed into the interval 9-2 ahead, Brooklands began to match their opponents across the field and began to get some at both ends.

Attacker Nate McClean kept things moving for Brooklands, scoring five in the match, along with efforts from Blair Pachereva and Tim Collins keeping the side in touch despite regular response from Poynton.

13-7 up at the 3/4 time it seemed as though Poynton would ease to the title, but a late flurry from Brooklands closed things up to a two-goal game at one stage at 15-13.

But the ball was put back in the stick of Russell again and a solo effort added the goal’s final game as Poynton were able to see out the closing minutes and take the Senior Flags back to add to their League trophy.

In the Women’s Senior Flags, Stockport’s firepower proved too much for Timperley as they controlled the game throughout and post a convincing 17-9 win.

The first two quarters featuring identical scoring, Stcokport taking each period 5-2, with England international Chloe Chan a driving force at both ends of the field, complemented by Karma Kabbani and Charlie Bell forming a formidable trio.

Kabbani led with four goals, while Chan posted threealong with a number of assists to regularly keep Stockport on the board.

Timperley did rally early in the second-half, Ellie Racle scoring two goals to make things interesting, but Stockport responded with a four goal streak to put the comeback to bed at 15-7 at 3/4 time.

The final quarter was an even 2-2 scoreline, but by that point Stockport were cruising and were on the way to sealing back to back Senior Flags victories, following up last year’s success.

2025 Northern Flags Festival Full Results:

Saturday 27 April

09:30 – Boys U12 Plate - Brooklands 8-19 Heaton Mersey
10:00 – Girls U13 Cup - Oxton 7-9 Boardman & Eccles Red
11:30 – Boys U14 Centurion Cup – Heaton Mersey 17-4 Mellor
12:00 - Women’s Junior Flags – Brooklands 20-4 Wilmsbury
13:30 – Boys U16 Juniors & Schools North Cup – Stockport/Sheffield 9-14 Heaton Mersey
14:00 – Girls U18 Cup – Oxton 16-5 Timperley
15:30 - David Beesley Cup – Brooklands A 12-8 Poynton A
16:00 - Men’s Junior Flags - Wilmslow 6-10 Cheadle A

Sunday 28 April

09:30 – Boys U14 Plate - Rochdale 18-5 Timperley
10:00 – Boys U12 Onondaga Cup - Stockport 7-17 Mellor
11:30 – Girls U15 Cup – Oxton Purple 17-4 Stockport
12:00 – Boys U16 Plate – Cheadle 10-9 Mellor (OT)
13:30 - Women’s Senior Flags - Stockport 17-9 Timperley
14:00 - Nigel Wayne Trophy – Mellor B 5-11 Cheadle C
15:30 – Men’s Senior Flags - Poynton 16-13 Brooklands