BLACKO Primary School have once again been crowned the best tag rugby team in Pendle after retaining their title.

The Year 5/6 event was held at Colne and Nelson RUFC and included 22 schools from across the borough.

A total of 11 schools qualified for the the fial with teams divided in to groups with play-offs for the top two places.

In a high-scoring and entertaining final, Blacko beat Laneshawbridge 6-4 to win their second successive title.

In the third and fourth place play-off, St Joseph’s beat Walverden by the same scoreline. Other schools to entere were Wheatley Lane, West St, Barnoldswick, Coates Lane, Christ Church, Earby and Marsden “This is always a great competition and all schools should be congratulated on their efforts, “ said Neil Stewart, Pendle School Games Organiser. “The standard of rugby continues to improve year on year and the round-robin competition means that they all play a lot of rugby on the day.

“Congratulations to Blacko who are Pendle Champions for the second year running.

“Let’s hope that this year they can go one better than the runner-up spot they achieved at last year’s Spar Lancashire School Games.

“Many thanks to Nelson & Colne RUFC (Callum Kinnane) for helping to organise and run the final.”

The top four teams will now go on to play the best four teams in Burnley in a challenge competition on 27th March.

Blacko will now go on to represent the borough of Pendle at the Spar School Games at Stanley Park, Blackpool, on July 1.