Burnley Rugby Club played host to a Year 7 rugby tournament with four Burnley Schools – Unity, Hameldon, Sir John Thursby and Shuttleworth – and St Augustine’s from Billington, Clitheroe all taking part..

With each school being at different levels of rugby development there were both touch matches and full contact games taking place.

With two teams from both St Augustine’s and Unity, it enabled all schools to get four games with the event starting with a group format then a semi-final and final.

“What was great to see was the Burnley schools who have had some rugby taster sessions really stepping up and having a go, and to my knowledge entering a rugby tournament for the first time,” said Community Coach, Simon Finnan.

“Also seeing that there were numerous players who would be good long term additions to the local side if they ever fancied playing on a Sunday morning at the same venue as the tournament.”

In the first semi final Shuttleworth took on St Augustine’s with the Saints moving through to the final.

The second semi final was an all-Unity affair therefore one team from the Burnley school would be represented in the final.

Before the main event, Hameldon and Sir John Thursby played another evenly contested game and all 20 players got into the event.

Finnan added: “If you look at this game, none of them at present play regular rugby but they have picked it up well.

“They tackled and passed correctly so hopefully some will now think about joining their local club and develop their game further.”

The final was then contested by Unity and St Augustine’s with Unity the overall winners of the first year 7 only rugby competition in Burnley.

Finnan thanked all the players and the teachers for organising and bringing them to the event, plus club volunteer Matt Crowley who gave up his time to referee and also Burnley RUFC for the use of the first team pitch.

“Any schools who want help to increase the rugby they are playing in curriculum or after school time feel free to get in touch and I will help if I am available,” added Finnan.

For more details, contact Simon Finnan at caldervale78@hotmail.co.uk or 07988 122186.