BLACKO’s domination of the Tag Showdown was ended by St Joseph’s on a thrilling afternoon of primary schools rugby at Burnley RUFC when more than 200 tries were scored.
Blacko had won the previous three events, whichfeature four top teams from Pendle and four top teams from Burnley, but, this time around, they were no match for St Joseph’s in a fantastic, closely fought final.
Blacko and St Joseph’s were paired together in Group One.
Unsurprisingly they topped the group, to progress to the semi-finals, but the only way they could be separated was on tries scored.
Also making the last four were Cliviger and Park, who led the way in Group Two.
Laneshaw Bridge, Earby, St Mary Magdalene’s and Wellfield were the teams whose afternoons ended early.
In the first semi-final St Joseph’s ran out 7-5 winners against Park.
And in the second Blacko got the better of Cliviger 6-4.
The showpiece proved to be an even tighter affair.
Thirteen tries were scored but it was St Joseph’s who emerged 7-6 winners.
Paddy Martin, school games support officer for the Burnley School Sport Partnership, said: “The standard of rugby was incredibly strong and was strong testament to the work done by the coaches in each area, Simon Finnan from Burnley Rugby Club and Jamie Game from Nelson and Colne Rugby Club.
“Massive thank you also to Burnley Rugby club for hosting the event and providing officials for the day.”
Pendle
BLACKO Primary School were the winners of the Pendle tag rugby competition to seal their place at this year’s Lancashire School Games for the second year running.
The team competed against eight schools from the Pendle area and beat Park Primary School to the top spot after scoring a total of 33 tries across eight round-robin style matches.
The Lancashire School Games, now in their ninth year, event is the biggest school games scheme in the county and is part of the national £128m school games programme.
They will take place at Stanley Park in Blackpool on June 30 and will see more than 2,000 children compete in a range of sports including gymnastics, handball, football, netball, rounders, athletics, tennis and tag rugby.
A total of 16 teams played in the preliminary rounds of the Pendle tag rugby competition, with nine progressing to the finals at Colne and Nelson RUFC.
A total of 36 round robin games took place on finals day with Blacko winning all oftheir matches.
Earby Springfield Primary School were pipped by Park for second place despite earning the same number of points and tries. Earby had conceded just one try more.
Laneshawbridge were fourth with Christ Church fifth and Walverden sixth. Barnoldswick, Wheatley Lane and Trawden were also part of finals day.
Neil Stewart, Pendle school games organiser, said: “The standard of rugby played by Pendle school pupils has massively improved in recent years due to the coaching Colne and Nelson RUFC provides through the Pendle Sports Partnership.
“A big thank you to rugby coach Jamie Gane, the support you provide is greatly appreciated.
“Congratulations to Blacko Primary School for securing a much-coveted place at the SPAR Lancashire School Games county finals.
“The school snatched the top title in the tag rugby cup last year so good luck in bringing home gold again.”
Burnley
HISTORY repeated itself in the final of the Burnley Primary Schools tag rugby festival with Cliviger St John’s and St Joseph’s battling it out for top honours.
And just like last year, it was Cliviger who emerged triumphant, showing a touch of class to be crowned tag rugby champions for the second successive year.
A total of 24, Year 5 and 6 teams took part in the competition which was again held at Burnley Rugby Club.
But once again, classy Cliviger proved they were the team to beat.
The double winning team will progress to the SPAR Lancashire School Games County final where they will battle it out against others from across the county to be crowned Lancashire champions in tag rugby.
The SPAR Lancashire School Games, now in its ninth year, is the biggest school games scheme in the county and is part of the national £128m school games programme.
The county finals, which aim to give every child the opportunity to participate in competitive sport, will see over 2,000 children compete in sports including; gymnastics, handball, football, netball, rounders, athletics, tennis and tag rugby.
It was certainly a day to remember of Burnley RUFC where a total of 550 tries were scored.
It was the culmination of a series of tag rugby coaching sessions were Burnley Community Rugby Coach, ,Simon Finnan, who had gone in to Burnley primary schools, in preparation for the event.
Finnan, along with other Burnley RUFC coaches and officials helped make sure the event ran smoothly on the day.
In the final, Cliviger and St Joseph’s renewed their long standing rivalry and it was the holders who ran on winners, holding on for a 5-4 victory after the Saints scored a late try.
Wellfield beat Mary Magdalene’s 6-3 in the third and fourth place play-off.
The top four teams - St John’s Cliviger, St. Joseph’s Park Hill, Wellfield and St Mary Magdalene’s - went on to take on the top four teams in Pendle to find the best team in the area.
Helen Tyson, Burnley school games organiser was delighted with the way the event went.
He said: “Tag rugby is fast becoming one of the most popular sports among young sporting hopefuls in Burnley. The event was the largest tag rugby competition of its kind in Burnley so far, with over 550 tries scored between 24 teams which battled it out on the pitches at Burnley Rugby Club.
“A huge congratulations to St John’s CofE Primary School for securing a highly-sought after place at the SPAR Lancashire School Games county finals for the second year running. I look forward to cheering you on at the sidelines.
“I would like to thank the volunteers from Burnley Rugby Club who provided invaluable support officiating the competitions on the day.”
The event is organised by Lancashire Sport Partnership and is implemented by the county’s school games organisers. It is sponsored by James Hall & Company Ltd, the SPAR distributors for the North of England.
The SPAR Lancashire School Games County Final will take place at Stanley Park in Blackpool on June 30.
n A combined Burnley U14s/15s team played host to their Heaton Moor counterparts on Sunday in a friendly clash that turned out to be a real try-fest.
While Heaton Moor ran out 49-27 winners, Burnley scored some thriller tries.
Connor McKnight scored a try that coach Michael McGee believed it possibly to be the best try he as seen at this age group. Winger Chris Knowles also touched down with Will Berry scoring a brace - one of which was a great solo effort.