On Monday 25th March 2024 the MSSP Y5/6 Tag Rugby Development Competition took place at Old Ruts RFC. 6 schools attended with several of them bringing two teams to create a round robin competition where each of the 10 teams would play each other across the 5 pitches to decide the overall winners.
With this being a development competition, it was great to see that several schools had brought children who hadn’t played much tag rugby before. Despite their limited experience, the passion, determination, and skill on display from all teams was superb. Especially after the first couple of matches when the children had got used to the rules of the game.
Not only were there lots of well worked team tries being scored across all of the pitches, there were also a number of outstanding individual efforts, with these children showing some brilliant footwork and speed to get round the defending team. Furthermore, it was fantastic to see all the children with massive smiles on their faces for the duration of the tournament despite the bitterly cold conditions.
We were again delighted to welcome 1XV players and “Buck” the mascot from the London Broncos who are our local professional rugby league team who play in the premier Super League competition. The children were given the chance over the lunch break to get their photos taken and get some autographs with the players and Buck, as well as be treated to a coaching masterclass by the players.
The overall winners of the competition were St Matthew’s Primary. St Matthew’s were worth winners due them winning every single one of their 9 matches. Amazing effort guys! Bishop Gilpin A came in a brilliant 2nd place, with Bishop Gilpin B with an equally impressive 3rd place. The awards did not stop there for Bishop Gilpin, as they also received the most votes from the rest of the competing schools and the sports leaders for the Refspect award due to their level of sportsmanship and respect to opponents and officials. Well done BG!
A big thank you must go to Old Ruts RFC for the use of their brilliant facilities, and to the secondary sports leaders from Rutlish school who refereed the matches brilliantly. Likewise, a big thank you for the support of the London Broncos. We hope lots of you will go down to Plough Lane Stadium this Sunday to watch their 1XV home Super League match against Huddersfield Giants. Up the Broncos!!!