Top skills on show at schools’ rugby festival
Last updated 15:54, Wednesday, 14 May 2008
ORGANISERS have praised the high level of skill and commitment that were on show at the recent Copeland Tag Rugby Festival.
Jericho School, Whitehaven, emerged victorious from the annual competition held at Whitehaven RUFC, but were pushed all the way by beaten finalists Lamplugh.
“All the players deserve praise for the tremendous effort and the sportsmanship they displayed,” said Copeland community rugby coach Russell Gainford, who organised the festival.
“It was a very close and competitive event. The weather was again excellent, making it very enjoyable for both players and spectators.
“Jericho will now represent Copeland in the County Youth Games and we wish them every success.”
Four leagues of seven teams contested the tournament and all the leagues proved to be closely fought affairs.
Jericho started as they meant to go on, by winning Group One, with Arlecdon and Seascale a very close second and third.
Group Two followed the same pattern, with some tremendous play by all the teams involved. St Bridget’s C of E ran out winners, followed by St James’ and Waberthwaite.
Group Three was the tightest of all the first round groups, with three teams – Lamplugh, Montreal and Moresby – all finishing on the same number of points and two even ended on the same points difference.
The outcome was therefore decided by the head-to-head encounters, which gave the final standings of Lamplugh top, Montreal second and Moresby third.
Some close games in Group Four ended with St Joseph’s heading the group, followed by Harecroft Hall and Beckermet, who inched out St Bridget’s RC on points difference.
The semi-finals were both close contests. Jericho’s four tries were enough to see off St Bridget’s two, and the second semi was even closer. Lamplugh and St Joseph’s ended on four tries each, but Lamplugh nicked it in sudden death.
Excellent skills were on display in the final, but Jericho had enough in the end to take the title with a win over Lamplugh.
